BSc Biochemistry with a Modern Language

This course unit consists of language tuition in spoken and written Spanish and has an intercultural approach preparing students for their period of residence abroad. It focuses on the practice of a wide variety of language and language-related skills which will help learners acquire confidence as independent users of the target language in interpersonal and social contexts as well as in academic and professional ones.

Pre-requisite units

SPLA51030 Spanish Language 3

• to enable students to gain a broad understanding of Spanish grammar and syntax with the revision and consolidation of the points learned in the preceding course(s);
• 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 familiarising them with a variety of strategies;
• to prepare students for residence abroad through increasing their cultural awareness.

By the end of this course students will be able to perform at Level B2+ of the Common European Framework (CEF). Assuming that all classes have been attended, coursework completed and a considerable amount of private study undertaken students will be able to: 

• Understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics 
• Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party 
• Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options 

The course unit consists of language tuition in spoken and written Spanish, including language simulations, essay writing and translation practicals based on texts in English.

It also uses the Canvas virtual learning environment as a supplement to support and manage aspects of learning and teaching. Students are thus required to visit El Botiquín regularly for essential information on the course, work done in class and other various tasks, including online assessments and discussions.  

The official Facebook page and Twitter account of the Department is used for additional e-learning content, news and to promote networking.  

Given the nature of language learning, students will be expected to attend all classes and to prepare adequately for them in order to be able to participate actively in class discussion and group activities. 

• A broad, active knowledge of Spanish grammar and basic awareness of the different registers of language
• The ability to communicate with a degree of confidence and accuracy in written and spoken Spanish, in a variety of situations, and with particular attention to the requirements of the Year Abroad
• An awareness of core linguistic and cultural potential problems of translation and the ability to think of creative solutions to these problems
• Knowledge of aspects of the cultures, communities and societies of the Hispanic world
• Intercultural awareness, understanding and competence

• Use language creatively and precisely for a range of purposes and audiences
• Contextualise from a variety of perspectives
• Extract and synthesise key information from written and spoken sources
• Organise and present ideas within the framework of a structured and reasoned argument
• Engage in critical and analytical thinking
• Develop problem-solving skills

• Use and present material in the target language in written and oral forms in a clear and effective manner
• Ability to manage own learning
• Use target language source materials appropriately
• Write and think under pressure and meet deadlines
• Access electronic resources and use information and communication technologies (ICT) appropriately

• Communication and presentation skills: oral, written and IT
• The ability to work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team
• Mediating skills and qualities of empathy
• Self-reliance and adaptability
• Intercultural and business awareness

Assessment task	Weighting within unit
A grammar and vocabulary test	25%
One piece of ACW (summary exercise)	15%
A written examination	35%
An oral examination	25%
Weekly take-home coursework and online tests	Formative

Regular individual written feedback on completed and marked assignments and oral presentations plus face-to-face discussion if desired. 

In-class comments on homework, presentations and other exercises. 

After each of the scheduled assignments, global feedback on frequent errors or omissions to indicate problem areas and allow questions and discussion (delivered orally in class/posted to Canvas/as a handout) 

Peer feedback to be facilitated by the collaborative group work and pair work used in these classes to practise presented language. 

In order to get the maximum benefit from the tutor’s feedback, students will be encouraged to complete a corrections notebook after each marked assignment is returned to them. This notebook will be compulsory in the case of students requiring extra linguistic support and it will be regularly supervised allowing the tutor to offer more feedback and clarify any doubts. 

Set texts: 

• T. Gutiérrez Chávez & A. Noriega Fernández, Latitud 0º¿: Manual de Español Intercultural (SGEL) 

• J. Butt and C. Benjamin, A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish (London: Arnold) 

Recommended texts: 

• R. E. Batchelor & M. A. San José, Using Spanish Vocabulary (CUP) 

• C. Pountain and T. de Carlos, Practising Spanish Grammar: a Workbook (London: Arnold) 

• Oxford Spanish Dictionary (OUP, not concise versions) 

• The Oxford Business Spanish Dictionary (OUP) (for MLBM students) 

• Real Academia de la Lengua Española dictionaries on www.rae.es 

This module offers the opportunity for students to contribute to a newspaper twice a year (el Periódico de Español). Other activities associated with the unit and promoted are those organised by the Spanish and Latin American Studies Student Society (SPLASSS) and the Instituto Cervantes. 

In order to meet the learning outcomes students are required to engage in regular independent language learning devoting an average of five to six hours per week to work on the various language skills. 

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £38,000 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Tuition fees are considerably lower for your placement year. Please see the fees page for full details.

Tuition fees are considerably lower for your placement year. Please see the fees pages for full details.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Students participating in placements outside the UK may be able to apply for funding from the UK's Turing scheme depending on eligibility. Priority will be given to students from low income households.