BA Sociology and Spanish

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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.

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.

• 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

• 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;

• 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.

• 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.

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. 

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.) 

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.