SPN-90001 - Module Specification
Language Centre
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

No prior knowledge.

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

Spanish is one of the world's major languages and is growing. Basic language skills can be very useful to employers and will help to get a lot more out of travel to Spanish-speaking countries. It's a multilingual world and companies are increasingly aware of the advantages of recruiting people with language skills. Whatever career you choose to follow, Spanish skills will help get more from life.
This module is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Spanish. It will develop basic communication skills in Spanish - mainly in a familiar register - in everyday situations. Alongside the Spanish language, students will also be introduced to some aspects of Spanish culture; traditions and customs; and culture-specific behavioiur.
The emphasis will be on oral communication skills and students will also develop their reading and writing skills. The course book will give a basic outline and structure and will be supplemented by regular video work and other materials. There will also be the opportunity to practise and reinforce vocabulary and language structures by using computer exercises in the KLE, linked to the weekly classes.
The language level of this module corresponds to the work leading to Level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR - A1)
PLEASE NOTE THAT:
SPN-90001 is also offered as a 'stand-alone' module in the Spring Semester. The Spring Semester module does not allow direct progression onto Spanish 2 in the same academic year. If you are a first year student, the earliest opportunity for progression to Spanish 2 will not be until February of the following year. If you are entering your second year please be aware that you cannot take Spanish 2 as credit-bearing elective in your final year.
If you are considering progressing through further levels of Spanish and potentially graduate with an enhanced degree title '...with competency in Spanish' (https://www.keele.ac.uk/study/languagecentre/modernlanguages/enhanceddegreetitles/)you may wish to consider swapping your electives to allow enrolment to the Spanish 1 module in semester 1. This would give you the opportunity to progress to Spanish 2 in semester 2 after completion of the first module.

The module aims to provide students who have no prior knowledge of Spanish with basic language skills and introduce them to aspects of Spanish speaking world culture. The module also aims to introduce students to general language learning strategies.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Recognise and understand familiar words, basic sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of immediate relevance (e.g. personal information, family, studies, etc.) when people speak slowly and clearly: 1,3
Understand and extract key information from simple written texts, for example messages, notices, posters, catalogues, etc.: 1,2
Interact in simple, familiar situations, asking and answering simple questions related to personal information, and being able to ask for repetition or clarification, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly: 3
Write simple notes, messages and short texts (e.g. personal letters or emails) providing personal information about themselves and their surroundings, making pertinent grammatical and lexical choices: 1,2
Understand and use simple grammatical structures and rules and develop language learning strategies: 1,2,3
Recognise and act upon very basic cultural differences as encountered in everyday situations and demonstrate knowledge of common traditions in the Spanish speaking world: 1,2,3

Study hours

22 hours of contact time in class.
40 hours assessment preparation and completion.
88 hours guided independent study.

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.
Students can only take one absolute beginners, language module (90001) in any one academic year.

Description of Module Assessment