- UCAS course code
- RR74
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Spanish Language 4
Unit code | SPLA51040 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 20 |
Unit level | Level 2 |
Teaching period(s) | Full year |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
The course unit consists of language tuition in spoken and written Spanish, including language role-plays, essay writing and translation practicals based on texts in English.
All students will be expected to attend all classes, to participate actively in class discussion and group activities, and to engage in regular independent language learning devoting an average of seven to ten hours per week to work on the various language skills.
Pre/co-requisites
Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Spanish Language 1 | SPLA51011 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Spanish Language 2 | SPLA51022 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
This course aims:
- to enable students to gain a broad understanding of Spanish grammar and syntax.
- to enable students to communicate confidently in Spanish through a range of written, oral, and aural comprehension exercises covering different areas of vocabulary;
- to introduce students to the study and practice of translation addressing issues of language and culture and familiarizing them with a variety of strategies;
- to prepare students for residence abroad through increasing their cultural awareness.
Knowledge and understanding
- The ability to understand selected texts in Spanish, through knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and basic cultural awareness.
- The ability to develop powers of analysis and use them to solve problems.
- Assessing and evaluating others.
- Cultural and business awareness
Intellectual skills
- The ability to understand selected texts in Spanish, through knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and cultural awareness.
- the ability to develop powers of analysis and use them to solve problems;
Practical skills
- An ability to communicate in written and oral Spanish.
- The ability to manage time and work to deadlines.
- The ability to participate in pair and team work.
- Role adaptability.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Communication and presentation skills, both oral and written through presentations and teamwork.
- Self-management and study skills, including learning how to learn through self-reflection activities and self-evaluation.
- Self-confidence.
- Showing capacity to improvise.
- Role adaptability.
- Computer literacy.
Employability skills
- Written communication
- In order to promote cultural and business awareness the course syllabus includes a variety of cultural topics based on the Hispanic world and including issues such as sustainability, immigration and social responsibility through music, cinema and other arts and media. It also offers students some training in writing their CV and cover letter, summaries and other useful documents in the target language.
- Other
- Generally, communications skills are developed through frequent presentations and teamwork, self-management skills are promoted through independent work, problem-solving skills through translation and simulations, and IT skills through web and computer assisted language learning. Finally, creative skills are fostered through creative writing and a task-orientated approach.
Assessment methods
Assessment task | Weighting within unit |
A grammar, vocabulary and writing examination | 25% |
A written examination | 50% |
An oral examination | 25% |
Weekly take-home coursework and online tests | Formative |
Feedback methods
Students will regularly receive individual written feedback on completed and marked assignments and oral presentations plus face-to-face discussion if desired. Besides, the tutor will provide in-class comments on homework, presentations and other exercises.
Additionally, global feedback (delivered orally in class/posted to Blackboard/as a hand-out) on frequent errors or omissions will be provided to the whole class to indicate problem areas and allow questions and discussion.
Finally, the collaborative group work and pair work used in these classes to practice presented language also facilitates peer feedback.
Summative feedback on Semester 1 examination will be given in the form of the mark given and/or a general description on how the group of students performed in the exam. Additionally, the answers to the exam questions will be made available through Blackboard.
Recommended reading
Set texts:
P. Muñoz and M. Thacker, A Spanish Learning Grammar (London: Arnold).
J. Butt and C. Benjamin, A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish (Edwin Arnold)
Recommended texts:
C. Pountain and T. de Carlos, Practising Spanish Grammar: a Workbook (Hodder Arnold)
R. E. Batchelor & M. A. San José, Using Spanish Vocabulary (Cambridge University Press)
E. Spinelli, English Grammar for Students of Spanish (Arnold)Diccionario Oxford español-inglés, inglés-español (O.U.P.)
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Seminars | 33 |
Independent study hours | |
---|---|
Independent study | 167 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Blanca González-Valencia | Unit coordinator |
Additional notes
You will be expected to engage in regular independent language learning, and we provide guidance to help you develop your expertise as an independent language learner. You are encouraged to use the facilities in the Language Centre, which include on-line material, grammar and reference books, language laboratories, self-access materials and satellite TV. As well you will be encouraged to attend cultural activities in institutions such as Instituto Cervantes.