Spanish Language for Beginners
| Module title | Spanish Language for Beginners |
|---|---|
| Module code | MLS1056 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Isabel Santafe () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
This module covers the essentials of the Spanish language in a dynamic and up to date fashion. You will follow a structured programme involving both individual learning and working with others in small groups, drawing on previous experiences of language learning to develop a better awareness of the range of learning strategies available, and of which work best for you. The sessions will be conducted in Spanish from the start in order to encourage you to become familiarised with the language and immerse yourself as much as possible in the learning process. You will be given the learning tools to follow the class and your materials will reinforce this approach.
This module can be taken by students who have no prior knowledge of Spanish, but it is also available for those who have learned Spanish up to GCSE level.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module is an intensive language course which aims to bring beginners and GCSE entrants to A-level standard or beyond by the start of the second year of study.
The module includes grammar exercises; translation; composition; listening and reading comprehension and oral classes with a native speaker.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a sound grasp of the basic grammatical structures of Spanish
- 2. Elicit, understand and communicate basic factual information in Spanish, orally and in writing displaying reasonable levels of accuracy
- 3. Attempt straightforward translation exercises out of Spanish
- 4. Demonstrate skills in understanding Spanish by carrying out aural and reading comprehensions
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Learn how to consolidate your own learning by using available learning aids, in a variety of media, and organise this process with guidance from course tutors
- 6. Understand the principles of learning a new language intensively, and organise learning time with guidance from course tutors
- 7. Use a reference grammar book and a bilingual dictionary to check the structural and lexical accuracy of your writing and expression in Spanish
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Communicate at a basic level in Spanish
- 9. Gain experience in working in groups at solving basic linguistic tasks
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover in a systematic fashion the course book, and intensive course in Spanish where new grammatical structures and vocabulary will be introduced each week and where the you will have the opportunity to put this material into practice and gradually enhance your aural and oral skills in the process. You will be able to attempt formative class tests electronically on a regular basis and in preparation for their summative class tests. You will receive feedback in class and individually.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 110 | 190 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 44 | Language seminars: Introduction to new grammatical points and vocabulary |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 44 | Language seminars: Reading comprehension, written and oral practice |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Language seminars: Listening and speaking practice |
| Guided Independent Study | 190 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 formative tasks (grammar test, vocabulary exercises, reading and listening comprehension, oral practice) | Variable | 1-7 | Oral and written feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 40 | 10 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio with a variety of tasks (including Listening Comprehension) | 50 | As described on the ELE page | 1-6 | Written and individual oral feedback |
| Oral assessment | 10 | 10 minutes | 1, 2, 5, 8, 9 | Written and individual oral feedback |
| Written examination | 40 | 2 hours | 1-6 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Portfolio | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Oral assessment | Oral assessment | 1,2,5,8,9 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Written examination | Written examination | 1-6 | Referral/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
- Garrido, Pablo Campus Sur. Curso Intesivo de Español. Libro del Alumno A1-B1 Editorial Difusión. 2017 ISBN:9788416347797.
- Ane Ortega, Tita Beaven, Cecilia Garrido and Sean Scrivener ¡Exacto! A practical guide to Spanish grammar. (Routledge 2018 3rd edition) ISBN: 9780415785068
- A bilingual dictionary, e.g. C Smith, Collins Spanish-English, English-Spanish Dictionary (6th edition 2000)
- A monolingual dictionary, e.g. Larousse, Pequeño Larousse ilustrado
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=1424 - Follow links to MLS 1056 and it is possible to access “enlaces de utilidad” (useful links) with access to online dictionaries, newspapers, magazines, television channels including the Cervantes television channel, and radio programmes, as well as access to the web page of the Cervantes institute: www.cervantes.es
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Regular showings of Spanish and Latino American films during the year and a very comprehensive audiovisual section in the library. Very good set of resources also for developing language skills at the Foreign Language Centre.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 02/02/1998 |
| Last revision date | 16/07/2020 |
