Module LXN-1012:
Beginners' Spanish

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures, Linguistics and Media

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Mr Ruben Chapela-Orri

Overall aims and purpose

  1. To introduce students to the basic structures of the language.
  2. To enable students to develop basic oral skills.

Course content

This module runs during the first semester and is aimed at absolute beginners. The course is based on a communicative approach and helps students to develop all the key language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. After each of the contact hours, students are expected to spend at least 30 minutes of self-study to revise and consolidate what they have learned in class.

The textbook for this course is: ELE Actual A1: Libro del Alumno + CDs, by Virgilio Borobio. SM. (2019 edition).

By the end of this course students will reach level A1 Breakthrough as defined by the Common European Framework, Language Assessment Scales(1). Students are expected to cover chapters 1-5 of their textbook.

(1) Level One: Competent in a limited range of predictable and simple language tasks, using mainly set expressions and simple combinations of these. Capable of some rehearsed grammatical manipulations. This applies to all the 4 language skills: speaking, reading, listening and writing.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

40-49%: For the award of credit, students should demonstrate a satisfactory comprehension of the various grammatical areas studied and an ability to implement them in specific situations at a basic level.

good

50-69%: For the award of higher grades, students should demonstrate a solid comprehension of the various grammatical areas studied and an ability to implement them in specific situations.

excellent

70+%: For the award of the highest grade, students should demonstrate a detailed comprehension of the various grammatical areas studied and an ability to implement them confidently in specific situations.

Learning outcomes

  1. An understanding of the following topics and functions - Talking about oneself and others: family; daily routine; preferences; likes/dislikes; hobbies and free time - Asking and answering questions about jobs - Ordering food and drinks - Talking about money - Counting up to 100 - Colours - Days of the week/ parts of the day

  2. An understanding of the following grammar - Nouns - Adjectives (including possessive adjectives) - Subject pronouns - Definite and indefinite articles - Some common prepositions - The present tense of all regular verbs and some irregular ones (e.g.: ser; tener; ir; hacer; querer; poder; tener que; gustar) - Reflexive verbs (present tense) - The present continuous tense

  3. Communicate orally on basic topics

  4. Understand and respond orally to basic questions

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
EXAM EXAM WK10

Written exam assessing the grammar points covered in the module. The questions will be in writing and will combine exercises such as fill in the gaps, verb conjugation, vocabulary, reading comprehension and sentence writing.

 70.00
ORAL Oral exam week 5

5 minutes presentation on a basic topic (e.g. talking about oneself) + 5 minutes of questions

 30.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Seminar

2 contact hours per week for 10 weeks

 20
Private study

Students will be given homework each week to complete. They will also prepare for two exams.

 80

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Subject specific skills

  • The ability to extract and synthesise key information from written and spoken sources in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4, 5.14)
  • Sensitivity to and analysis of grammar and syntax in the target language, as well as basic morphology and phonology. (Benchmark statement 5.8, and 5.9)
  • Basic reading and listening skills in the target language as well as vocabulary acquisition. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4, 5.7, and 5.10)
  • The ability to make effective use of notes and to carry out independent study. (Benchmark statement 5.15)
  • Develop verbal communication skills in the target language through group work and class discussions. (Benchmark statement 5.8)
  • The ability to read, understand, translate, and write short texts in the target language (benchmark statement 5.13, 5.14, 5.15 and 5.16)

Resources

Resource implications for students

Students have to purchase the textbook.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/lxn-1012.html

Reading list

The textbook for this course is: ELE Actual A1: Libro del Alumno + CDs, by Virgilio Borobio. SM. (2019 edition).

Courses including this module