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Module LZS-1001:
Advanced Spanish 1

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures, Linguistics and Media

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr David Miranda-Barreiro

Overall aims and purpose

This module aims to develop students' translation and reading comprehension skills through the study of texts varying in style and register. Students will be able to produce competent pieces of writing in Spanish and they will develop their oral and aural skills through conversation exercises and selected audio-visual materials varying in tone and register. Throughout the module they will learn new vocabulary and will incorporate key expressions into oral and written work. They will develop a more complex understanding of key grammatical structures and an ability to use grammatical constructions in written and oral expression, as well as being able to discuss and defend arguments and ideas in group and one-to-one discussions. While from developing linguistic skills, students will also learn to understand key aspects informing contemporary Hispanic identities.

Students on this module will be working towards achieving B1+/B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Course content

This module enables post A-level students to develop written and oral communicative skills in Spanish by extending linguistic competence acquired at A-level. It comprises text-based classes in which students have the opportunity to develop translation and writing skills, as well as oral/aural classes, in which a range of audio and visual aids are employed to stimulate group discussions and debates. Throughout the module, students also have the opportunity to revise and consolidate key areas of grammar. The texts and materials used in this module are chosen from a range of sources including media and literary works in order to familiarise students with variations in tone and register. Through these materials, students will also gain an insight into particular Hispanic themes and issues that relate to contemporary life and society in the Spanish-speaking world. Learning outside of the classroom is supported through a co-curricular Self-Study Portfolio.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

40-49%: Limited knowledge of Spanish grammar and vocabulary resulting in a limited ability to communicate in writing or translate from Spanish-English and Spanish-German. Basic understanding of aural and written material in Spanish. Basic grasp of Spanish pronunciation and limited ability to converse freely in Spanish and respond to spoken material. Limited ability to present and defend opinions in written and oral Spanish

good

50-69%: Good knowledge of Spanish grammar and vocabulary resulting in a good ability to communicate in writing or translate from Spanish-English and Spanish-German. Good understanding of aural and written material in Spanish. Good grasp of Spanish pronunciation and some ability to converse freely in Spanish and respond to spoken material. Ability to present and defend opinions in written and oral Spanish.

excellent

70+%: Excellent knowledge of Spanish grammar and vocabulary resulting in an excellent ability to communicate in writing or translate from Spanish -English and English-Spanish . Excellent understanding of aural and written material in Spanish . Excellent grasp of Spanish pronunciation and clear ability to converse freely in Spanish and respond to spoken material. Clear ability to present and defend opinions in written and oral Spanish .

Learning outcomes

  1. Engage with Spanish language in spoken form, understanding, reacting and responding to it in an interactive context.

  2. Employ key grammatical structures in written and oral work.

  3. Demonstrate an ability to extract and use information presented in Spanish language sources to answer questions in the target language.

  4. Produce accurate and idiomatically correct written Spanish.

  5. Apply new areas of vocabulary to written work.

  6. Understand and translate written texts varying in style and register.

  7. Explore and evaluate some of the key themes and debates dominating contemporary Spanish culture.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
COURSEWORK Creative Writing exercise 25
EXAM Written exam (2 hours) 50
ORAL Oral Discussion 25
LOGBOOK OR PORTFOLIO Self study portfolio 0

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Lecture

1 grammar lecture per week for 11 weeks per semester.

 11
Private study 156
Seminar

1 Translation, Writing and Culture seminar per week for 11 weeks per semester.

 11
Seminar

2 x conversation based seminars that include a cultural component per 11 weeks

 22

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • 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

  • 1. The ability to use the target language creatively and precisely in short written assignments in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.14)
  • 2. The ability to translate short passages into and out of the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • 3. Engaging with, interpreting and critically evaluating short and longer contemporary texts (short stories, films, novels) in the target language (Benchmark statement 5. 8, and 5.9)
  • 5. The ability to use the target language creatively and precisely in oral assignments, showing familiarity with a range of topics and registers in formal and informal situations. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • 7. The ability to read, understand and summarise 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

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: