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Study information

Spanish Advanced Three

Module titleSpanish Advanced Three
Module codeFLS3715
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Ms Tatiana Romero ()

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

4

Module description

Spanish Advanced 3 develops communicative language skills (linguistics, sociolinguistics and pragmatics) and communication strategies at the C1 level of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR), where students analyse, criticise/question and summarise the content of several written and aural documents on the same topic, but shedding light on different aspects.

To do so, it is based on proficient communicative activities, such as reception, production and interaction and advocates an action-orientated approach of language teaching and learning.

This module develops all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) as well as proficient grammatical and lexical structures.

The module is taught entirely in Spanish.

Spanish Advanced 3 can be taken towards achieving "with advanced proficiency in Spanish". See: http://humanities.exeter.ac.uk/flc/undergraduate/proficiency/

Module aims - intentions of the module

Spanish Advanced 3 is intended for students with a near proficient level of Spanish who have successfully completed FLS3515-30 Spanish Advanced 2 or who have an A Level plus 2 years of further study on an Advanced course or equivalent (evidence of advanced-level accomplishment as Entry level) or who may have spent a recent period of study or work in a Spanish-speaking country (e.g. on a ‘with European Study’ pathway).

On completion of this module, students will have a level equivalent to C1- Proficient User of the Common European Framework for Languages, and they will be able to:

  • review and consolidate effective operational complex structures of the target language, developing both idiomatic vocabulary and a wide range of language structures, thus equipping them with the linguistic tools to communicate spontaneously for academic and specific purposes without much obvious searching for expressions
  • further develop and embed active and passive complex language skills, including comprehension skills in listening and reading, with particular emphasis placed on proficient skills necessary for effective oral and written communication in the target language at a proficient level to engage in analysis, criticism/questioning and summarising the content of several written and aural documents on the same topic, but with various approaches
  • explain a wide range of demanding, longer and complex texts, and recognise implicit meaning, including any sub-textual or stylistic nuances and produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices to develop a well-structured argument
  • identify socio-cultural aspects of the regions/countries in which Spanish is spoken, to refine transferable intercultural skills necessary for living and working abroad and to use the language proficiently in a social, professional or academic context.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Demonstrate competence in the use of a wide range of complex language in the target language.
  • 2. Read, comprehend, question and summarise a wide range of demanding, longer written and aural texts in most registers on a range of topics in the target language, including articles and reports concerned with current affairs in which the writers adopt particular attitudes and viewpoints as well as implicit and connoted information.
  • 3. Communicate confidently, proficiently and naturally in a wide range of situations, both orally and in writing, on complex and abstract topics and demonstrate ability to research a specialist topic, extracting and summarising key information from a range of written and spoken sources, and produce a written portfolio of material to a high professional standard.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 4. Demonstrate proficient levels of autonomy in language learning and ability to research a project, with minimal direction from the teacher
  • 5. Combine specialised learning aids in a variety of media to class material and personal research, including a proficient reference grammar and specialist/for specific or academic purposes dictionary, to consolidate his/her learning

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 6. Work spontaneously with others as part of a team or as a leader, anticipate unexpected situations and solve a wide range of problems effectively
  • 7. Practice self-study, further reading on class material individually and autonomously and relate to the foreign culture.
  • 8. Make presentations on a range of concrete and abstract subjects and explain/defend his/her view point in debate as well as prove his/her point in disagreement expressing himself/herself confidently, very fluently and accurately, differentiating finer shades of meaning in more complex situations

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

The module provides a systematic approach to acquiring proficient grammar structures in a communicative context and in accordance with the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

It covers the following grammar/topics (Note this list is only indicative):

Main grammar: At this level, you are expected to demonstrate a near native competence in the use of all proficient grammatical structures. However, there may be remedial revision/consolidation of some fossilised grammar inaccuracies as required.  

Main topics: At this level, you are expected to follow weekly Spanish national and international news and their global causes and consequences. This module deals with various aspects of Spanish and Latin American societal issues such as historic, politic, philosophic, social, ethic, scientific, social, etc. debates: 

  • Sustainability, environmentalism and renewable energy 
  • Digital Society (technology, social networking, etc.)
  • Spanish and Latin American regions: geography and economic activity
  • General overview of Spanish and Latin American economy 
  • Consumer society 
  • Poverty and exclusion 
  • New trends: birth rate, marriage, ageing population 
  • Spanish and Latin American Politics: Constitution, institutions, parties 
  • Spanish and Latin American modern culture (cinema, music etc.) 
  • Current affairs and press reviews
  • Role of science and technology in modern society 
  • Spanish and Latin American gastronomy
  • Food and drink 

Teaching methods are based on interactive language development tasks, such as pair / group work/ class debate, and include the study of several longer texts to compare, contrast and question topical ideas with listening & reading comprehension exercises and oral development work. 

You will be expected to spend time studying outside the class (between 3-5 hours per week) and we provide guidance, facilities and materials to help you develop your expertise as a proficient language learner.

For this module, you will be asked to consolidate your class work by learning advanced formal vocabulary and structures, and by reading, watching or listening to material in Spanish. You will also be expected to complete exercises on a self-study basis, prepare exercises and activities for the class, write assignments (text reductions, argumentative essays and research project) and generally acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies.

You will receive regular feedback on your progress from class activities, homework assignments and formative assessment tasks. You will also receive formal feedback on summative assessments such as the in-class test, including suggestions on how to improve and identify your own strategies for improvement.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
441060

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching44Language classes
Guided independent study106Consolidate class work by learning vocabulary and structures, and by reading, watching or listening to material from a wide range of sources in Spanish. Prepare exercises and activities for class, write assignments and further develop a repertoire of effective language learning strategies

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
4 formative tasks per year (grammar and vocabulary, writing, reading and listening comprehension)Variable1-8Written and oral feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
07525

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
In-class test251 hour 30 minutes1-3, 7Written feedback
Oral test259-10 minutesAllWritten Feedback
Dossier50Consists of different components, including six text reductions (summaries and reports) and an essay (1200-1300 words) in the target language1-7Written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
In-class testWritten examination1-2, 4-6, 8Referral/Deferral period
Oral testOral testAllReferral/Deferral period
DossierDossier1-2, 4-5, 8Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

You will only be required to retake any failed assessments. Marks for any passed assessments will be carried forward. If you have failed any assessments but managed to pass the module overall, you will not be allowed to retake the failed assessments.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

TBC.

Suggested reading:

  • Temas de gramática con ejercicios prácticos: nivel superior B2-C1. Sociedad General Española de Librería, 2008.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11294 

Key words search

Spanish, Advanced Three

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

Completion of FLS3515/3530 Spanish Advanced 2 or equivalent

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

01/02/2012

Last revision date

29/07/2020