This module is aimed at students who have a good working knowledge of Spanish (post A-level students or equivalent or who have completed Spanish Language G - CE2221), who wish to further improve their knowledge of the language to a very high standard. The course will cover various aspects of business, politics and society in the Spanish speaking world. The course is entirely conducted in Spanish and is supported with authentic materials. This is the final stage of the preparation for DELE B2.
 

METHODS OF TEACHING: i) Weekly two-hour workshops ii) Self study including use of digital language laboratory.
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT: i) Coursework 20%, ii) Written test 40%, iii) Oral assessment 20% iv) Aural test 20%.

Email: Languages@cardiff.ac.uk

• Converse in Spanish in a wide range of  situations at a level approaching that of a native speaker of Spanish
• Understand Spanish broadcasts at normal speed
• Communicate actively both in spoken and written situations in a Spanish business environment using telephone skills, memos, faxes and letters

This module will be taught in small groups to encourage interaction. The emphasis will be on communication. The module is taught over 12 weeks and is conducted in Spanish.

Intellectual Skills                     

• integrate information provided in taught sessions and private study,
• engage in constructive and critical assessment of ideas and arguments. 

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

1. demonstrate their ability to express themselves fluently and maintain a lengthy conversation in the target language on a wide range of topics.
2. demonstrate their ability to construct a clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects , expressing points of view at some length.
3. demonstrate their ability to understand long and complex factual and literary texts, appreciating a certain distinction of style.
4. understand extended speech even when it is not clearly structured and when relationships are only implied and not signalled explicitly.

Employability Skills:      - to be responsive to the discipline of working with others as part of a group,

                                            - to understand and reflect upon different cultures and societies,

                                            - to show effective use of mediating skills and qualities of empathy.

A selection of the following topics:

- Spanish speaking countries

- Regional differences in Spain (character; language; food; festivals etc.)

- historical aspects of Spain/Latin America in the 20^th century

- Socio-economic aspects; the city versus the countryside in Spain and Latin America

- Working in Spain; social issues; the family

- Social aspects; social trends ie. Speed dating, socialising, the lottery

- Health and Science issues

- New technology

- current political/social/economic topics

- Translations from English into Spanish

Suggested:

Al Tanto! - Nueva Edición, Mee D., Nelson Thornes (new edition), 2000

Spanish Grammar in Context, Kattan Ibarra J., Hodder Education; 2nd edition, 2008

El cronómetro : manual de preparación del DELE : nivel intermedio / Teresa García Muruais ... [et al.], Madrid : Edinumen, 2005