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Study information

Spanish in the Workplace

Module titleSpanish in the Workplace
Module codeFLS3830
Academic year2024/5
Credits30
Module staff

Ms Tatiana Romero (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

11

Number students taking module (anticipated)

15

Module description

Spanish in the Workplace develops communicative language skills and communication strategies on a variety of work related topics at the B2 level of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR), where students tackle material with a critical perspective. To do so, it is based on advanced communicative activities such as reception, production and interaction and advocates an action-orientated approach of language teaching and learning.
This module develops all four core language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) as well as advanced grammatical and lexical structures. The module is taught mostly in Spanish.

Module aims - intentions of the module

Spanish in the Workplace is intended for those who have successfully completed either FLS2330 Spanish Intermediate 2, FLS2430 Spanish Intermediate Fast-Track, or who have an A level (Grade A*-B) or equivalent.

This module aims to:

  • Review and consolidate the advanced structures of the target language, developing both vocabulary and range of language structures thus equipping students with the linguistic tools to enable them to communicate effectively in work related situations
  • Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without much strain and produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options
  • Build on knowledge of the sociocultural aspects of the regions/countries in which Spanish is spoken and continue to develop transferable and intercultural skills necessary for studying and/or working abroad in a Spanish-speaking country

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 advanced grammatical structures of the target language
  • 2. Read and comprehend a wide range of demanding, longer written texts on both concrete and abstract topics in the target language, including articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes and viewpoints
  • 3. Communicate fluently and spontaneously, both orally and in writing, and use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes and produce clear, well-structured written text on complex subjects, expressing points of view at some length

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

  • 4. Demonstrate autonomy in language learning, with reduced direction from the teacher
  • 5. Combine available learning aids in a variety of media to class notes and material, including an advanced reference grammar and specialist dictionary, to consolidate your learning

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

  • 6. Work creatively and flexibly, react and adapt to situations as appropriate and solve problems
  • 7. Indicate developing skills of self-study and their application and awareness of and sensitivity to the foreign culture

Syllabus plan

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

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

Main grammar:

  • Past tenses
  • Agreement of past participles
  • Subjunctive
  • Logical connectors (cause, consequence and aim, opposition and restriction)
  • Simple and complex relative pronouns
  • Passive
  • Future tenses
  • Expression of hypothesis and conditional
  • Comparison
  • Direct and indirect object pronouns
  • Language registers
  • Indirect speech

Main topics:

  • Work
  • Tourism
  • International relations
  • Global engagement

Teaching methods are based on interactive language development tasks, such as pair / group work, and include the study of texts with comprehension exercises, oral development work and listening comprehension exercises.

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 an independent language learner.

For this module, you will be asked to consolidate your class work by learning 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 and generally acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies (such as proofreading, self-editing and self-correcting).

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
662340

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching66Language classes
Guided independent study234Preparation and self-study

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
4 formative tasks covering some or all of the following areas: grammar, writing, listening, reading, speaking.Variable1-7Written and oral

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
502525

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Portfolio50As described on the ELE page 1-7Written and oral
Written Exam251.5 hours1-5, 7Written and oral
Oral Exam2510-12 minutes1, 3-7Written and oral
0
0
0

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
PortfolioPortfolio1-7Referral/Deferral period
Written ExamWritten Exam1-5, 7Referral/Deferral period
Oral ExamOral Exam1, 3-7Referral/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

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Key words search

Spanish, advanced, workplace, business

Credit value30
Module ECTS

15

Module pre-requisites

Completion of FLS2315 / 2330: Spanish Intermediate Two or equivalent

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

01/02/2016

Last revision date

29/07/2020