SPN-90005 - Module Specification
Language Centre
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Spanish 4 or equivalent (e.g. GCSE grade B/5-6, CEF level A2)

Barred Combinations

Description for 2020/21

Spanish is one of the world's major languages and for those studying American Studies, International Relations, History, Politics, or doing Geography or Geology fieldwork in Spain, this module equips them with an insight of Spanish/Hispanic language varieties and cultures. Whatever career you choose to follow, your Spanish skills will help you get more from life.
Both the mastery of a foreign language as widely spoken as Spanish and the awareness of cultural and linguistic specificities will prove essential when negotiating the world of work.
This module is designed for students who have completed Spanish 4 or equivalent (e.g. CEF level A2, GCSE grade A). It will expand the foundations for further study or work in Spain and Latin America.
All language skills - reading, listening, speaking and writing as well as the pragmatic-socio cultural dimension of the language- are integrated in every tutorial. Cultural background of Spanish society as well as Hispanic traditions (Death celebrations, Lottery, Christmas, etc.) are present throughout the course. You will also enquire into the ways we learn and acquire a language (their motivations and difficulties when learning Spanish), where the contributions of students will be of vital importance.
Teaching will be based around a course book which will be supplemented by a range of video material. There will be a variety of tasks and exercises during each class, such as discussion and role play; listening comprehension and reading and writing tasks. There will be introductory class sessions but also regular group and pair work; and further, partly web-based, self-study tasks.
The language level of this module corresponds to work leading to Level B1 in the European Common Framework for Languages (CEFR -B1).

To improve students' fluency in the language.
To consolidate previous grammatical knowledge and study some of the more problematic aspects of Spanish grammar in greater depth.
To offer insights into cultural differences both in Spain and countries of Latin America.

Intended Learning Outcomes

understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, studies, leisure etc.: 1
enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life: 1
connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, their dreams, hopes and ambitions: 1,2
write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest: 2
use Spanish/Hispanic internet and other authentic sources to collect and use information for assignments: 2
show awareness of register, style and Spanish varieties: 1,2
understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language without the use of dictionaries: 1,2

Study hours

20 hours of synchronous and asynchronous class time
100 hours class preparation and revision and private study
22 hours revision for and completion of written exam
8 hours preparation for and attendance at spoken interaction exam

School Rules

Admission to the module must be confirmed through completion of a language level self-assessment form
Students are only permitted to take one Spanish language module per semester

Description of Module Assessment