SPN-90008 - 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

Spanish 7 or equivalent (e.g. AS-level grade 7-9/ A-A*, CEFR level B1)

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This course is designed for students with a very good knowledge of Spanish who have completed Spanish 7 or equivalent (e.g. AS-level grade 7-9/ A-A*, CEFR level B1). It will develop your advanced communication skills in Spanish in everyday situations as well as in more complex contexts, in particular in discussing a range of topical issues in Spanish or understanding contemporary Spanish speaking countries.
You will both consolidate the skills acquired at previous levels and build on them by moving beyond the situations of everyday life to more challenging and stimulating tasks such as to organise a debate, simulate the editorial board of a journal or a reality-show, reflect on the world of feelings and relationships, design an useful object, or prepare a competition about knowledge of Latin America. In order to perform these tasks, some problematic aspects of Spanish grammar will be dealt with, including uses of subjunctive, conditional tenses, passive voice, past tenses etc.
All language skills - reading, listening, speaking and writing as well as the pragmatic-socio cultural dimension of the language- are integrated in every tutorial. We will also enquire into the ways we learn and acquire a language, where your contributions will be of vital importance. We will make use of extensive resources available online to supplement the class materials, as well as self-study opportunities via KLE. Feedback on formative and summative assessments will be provided at regular intervals.
The language level of this module corresponds to B1+ work leading to Level B2 in the European Common Framework for Languages (CEFR B1+/B2).

This module aims to build on students' existing knowledge of Spanish and to consolidate all areas of grammar, while at the same time expanding the vocabulary base to enable students to confidently discuss various aspects of contemporary Spanish speaking societies and follow-on social and political problems. The course is also designed to inquire in further depth about cultural differences of Spanish speaking countries.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Understand the main points of clear standard speech including radio or TV programmes on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest: 1,3
Interpret, summarise and extract key information from a variety of written texts that consist of everyday or job-related language and description of events, feelings and wishes: 1,2
Interact and enter unprepared into conversations on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. studies, work, travel and current events): 3
Write clear coherent texts on topics which are familiar, of personal interest, describing experiences and impressions or expressing points of view: 1,2
Recognise and use different complex linguistic structures in the target language and compare them to the English language: 1,2,3
Demonstrate awareness of cultural issues, as well as accurate use of the language with regard to vocabulary, grammar, register and style, and of different varieties of Spanish: 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 allowed to take one Spanish language module per semester.

Description of Module Assessment