Spanish Language
| Module title | Spanish Language |
|---|---|
| Module code | MLS1001 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Ms Isabel Moros (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 120 |
|---|
Module description
The module provides you with the opportunity to develop your language skills in Spanish through the medium of translation, reading and listening comprehension and oral debates. The course book for this module has been chosen to incorporate the most advanced techniques in the learning of the Spanish language but in a focused and varied manner. Different grammar points will be studied throughout the course, but they will be always explored in context. The translation classes will enhance the vocabulary acquisition as the students will be able to learn the use of bilingual and monolingual dictionaries effectively and appreciate the differences of style and structure between the English and the Spanish language. In the oral classes, the students will be given the opportunity to become acquainted with cultural elements of Spain and Latino America and to explore them in depth through the medium of individual presentations and debates.
This module is designed for students who have A-level or AS-level in Spanish language or equivalent, and who wish to acquire the foundation for studying Spanish at level two and beyond.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The module's aims to teach:
- Grammatical knowledge of Spanish
- Increased lexicon
- Improvement of comprehension
- Expression in both written and oral forms
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a secure knowledge of the core grammatical features of the Spanish language and be able to tackle structured grammatical exercises
- 2. Attempt straightforward translation exercises into and out of Spanish and present a basic argument in written Spanish in answer to clearly defined topics
- 3. Demonstrate skills in understanding Spanish by carrying out aural and reading comprehensions
- 4. Within the context of a small group, express basic ideas and opinions orally in Spanish and respond to the ideas of others in the group and to the questions of the tutor
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Recognise and understand core linguistic terminology
- 6. Use a bilingual and learners monolingual dictionary to establish basic meanings and to find key grammatical information
- 7. Engage, under guidance, with the Spanish language media printed and online
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Work in groups at solving a variety of basic linguistic tasks
- 9. Communicate at an adequate level in Spanish
- 10. Express and discuss views as a group
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:
- Plenary session: Introduction to the grammatical point under study in context
- Reading Comprehension/Composition/ grammar
- Translation: Development of translation techniques and strategies from Spanish into English and from English into Spanish
- Oral practice: Debates and presentations
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 89 | 211 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 | Plenary session - Explanation and practice of grammatical structures in context |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 | Translation from Spanish into English - Developing comprehension of Spanish texts and accurate translation into English |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 | Reading comprehension and composition in Spanish - Developing skills in producing accurate written Spanish as well as acquiring new lexicon |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 22 | Oral practice - Work on improving confidence in spoken Spanish |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 1 | DML language lecture |
| Guided independent study | 211 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translation | 2 x 300 words | 1, 2, 5-7 | Marked work and review in class |
| Reading comprehension | 2 reading comprehensions | 1, 3, 5-7 | Marked work and review in class |
| Listening comprehension | 2 x 1 hour | 1, 3, 5 | Written and oral feedback |
| Oral practice | 1 debate | 3, 4, 7, 9 | Oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 50 | 30 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 20 | Translation (Spanish into English), Reading Comprehension, Composition in Spanish | 1-3, 5-7 | Written feedback |
| Oral examination | 20 | Individual presentation (10 minutes) 1 Group debate (20 minutes) | 3, 4, 7-9 | Written and oral feedback |
| Listening comprehension | 10 | 1 hour | 1, 3, 4 | Written feedback |
| Written examination | 50 | 2 hours (May/June) | 1-3, 5-7 | Written feedback |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | |||
| Oral examination | |||
| Listening comprehension | |||
| Written examination | 2 hour written examination | 1, 2, 3, 5 | 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%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Jaime Corpas, Agustín Garmendia, Nuria Sánchez, Carmen Soriano, Aula 4 Internacional B2.1. ( Difusión. Barcelona, 2014) ISBN: 978-84-15620-85-3.
- Ane Ortega, Tita Beaven, Cecilia Garrido and Sean Scrivener ¡Exacto! A practical guide to Spanish grammar. (Arnold Publishers 2002)
- Christopher J Pountain, Teresa de Carlos and Angela Howkins, Practising Spanish Grammar (a workbook). (Hodder and Arnold 2006)
- Pilar Seijas, Bibiana Tonnelier, Sergio Troitiño. Cuadernos de gramática española (Difusión. Barcelona 2011)
- 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=1421
- 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 | A-level or equivalent in Spanish |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 02/02/1998 |
| Last revision date | 31/01/2019 |