Module LZS-3020:
Spanish Language 2 (Minor)

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures, Linguistics and Media

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Prof Helena Miguelez-Carballeira

Overall aims and purpose

  1. To consolidate key areas of advanced grammar.
  2. To further develop advanced test translation skills into and out of the target language.
  3. To promote appropriate use of style and register in written work.
  4. To develop and refine advanced skills in structured formal essay writing and paraphrasing tasks.

Students on this module will be working towards achieving C1/C2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Course content

This 20 credit module running throughout the year promotes appropriate use of style and register in all written work and ensures that students can deal with variations in register and idiomatic expression in a confident and accurate manner. Through exposure to selected texts and complex grammatical structures, students acquire reading and writing skills which match the required standard of final year linguists.

No set text is given for this language module, although students are highly encouraged to purchase a copy of the following books for self-study:

Butt, John and Carmen Benjamin (2011) A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish, London and Oxford: Arnold. Pountain, Christopher, Teresa de Carlos and Angela Howkins (2011) Practicing Spanish Grammar: A Workbook, London & Oxford: Arnold.

Any other learning resources: Students are given two module dossiers at the beginning of the year containing all the necessary materials for their classes. Students are encouraged to complete the School’s Self-Study Portfolio (available from SMLC website)

Assessment Criteria

threshold

40-49%: A limited knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and a limited ability to translate and paraphrase the prescribed range of texts.

good

50-69%: A good knowlege of vocabulary and grammar and a good ability to translate and paraphrase the prescribed range of texts.

excellent

70+%: An excellent knowledge of vocabulary and grammar and an excellent ability to translate and paraphrase the prescribed range of texts.

Learning outcomes

  1. Demonstrate in essay and translation work a sophisticated command of both the target language and English/Welsh that is alive to the rhetorical range of both languages.

  2. To read and understand complex texts varying in style, tone and register and comment on these texts in a concise and fluent manner.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
COURSEWORK In-class summary test 25
COURSEWORK Essay 25
EXAM final translation exam 50

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Seminar

1 x 1 hour translation class per week for 11 weeks per semester 1 x 1 hour applied language skills class per week for 11 weeks per semester

 44
Private study 156

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • 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
  • 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 use the target language creatively and precisely in sophisticated written assignments in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.14)
  • The ability to translate sophisticated passages into and out of the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • Engaging with, interpreting and critically evaluating short and longer contemporary texts (short stories, films, novel) in the target language (Benchmark statement 5. 8, and 5.9)
  • Fully proficient to skilful oral communication and presentation skills (including delivery and argument development, discussion and defence) in the target language through individual and/or group discussions. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • The ability to use the target language creatively and precisely in oral assignments, showing adroitness with a very wide range of topics and registers in formal and informal situations. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • Further develop aural comprehension skills in the target language, supported by a wide range of appropriate materials in different media. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • The ability to read, understand and summarise more sophisticated written texts in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • The ability to critically understand cultural studies concepts on cultural hybridity and their application to core Italian postcolonial texts. (Benchmark statements 5.7, 5.10).

Resources

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Courses including this module