EU0298: Spanish Language (B) 1

School null
Department Code null
Module Code EU0298
External Subject Code R410
Number of Credits 20
Level L5
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Mrs Rocio Perez De Baines
Semester Double Semester
Academic Year 2013/4

Outline Description of Module

This stage builds upon the linguistic knowledge acquired at stage 3 or equivalent. It integrates a number of topics, such as, indicatively, intercultural differences and the political and educational systems and key historical issues in the countries in which contemporary Spanish is spoken, with a deepening study of the structures, vocabulary and sounds of the language. You will transfer information from spoken and written texts in the TL into English, and vice versa, through, indicatively, translation, summary and commentary.

 This stage builds upon the linguistic knowledge acquired at stage 4. It covers topics relating to aspects of the Spanish-speaking culture. It also deals with topics of contemporary relevance, such as, indicatively, political, economic, social and cultural issues, and with contemporary varieties of the language

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  • Understand the gist of spoken language in a wider range of registers, delivered at normal speed. You should be able to follow some films and television programmes in the TL
  • Engage confidently in conversations relating to everyday topics
  • Read and understand the main ideas in authentic texts in a variety of genres (indicatively, emails, newspapers, textbooks and literature) without too much effort
  • Write with a fair degree of accuracy in everyday language in order to communicate information, ideas, concepts and opinions relating to a variety of situations and topics
  • Use more complex grammatical structures and appropriate vocabulary, although possibly with some first language interference

How the module will be delivered

 4 contact hours per week

  • 2 hours of Spanish grammar
  • 1 hour of conversation, listening and reading
  • 1 hour of translation English into Spanish and vice versa

Skills that will be practised and developed

  • To develop further analytical skills
  • To develop and encourage accurate writing in the TL
  • To develop cultural and linguistic awareness in preparation for the year abroad
  • To encourage the development of advanced IT skills
  • To encourage both independent and group working skills
  • To improve the TL through listening and comprehension exercises
  • To develop and encourage accurate spoken expression in the TL
  • To develop awareness of registers (both written and conversational), accents and pronunciation
  • To develop further the understanding of social and cultural aspects of the TL
  • To develop the skill of translating short texts
  • To develop awareness of key translation problems and techniques for overcoming these
  • To develop transferable skills

How the module will be assessed

Continuous assessment

10%

Assignment 1

 

10%

Assignment 2

 

10%

Assignment 3

 

10%

Assignment 4

Oral exam

20%

Oral presentation

Final exam

40%

Written exam

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Exam - Spring Semester 40 Spanish Language (B) 1 2
Oral/Aural Assessment 20 Oral N/A
Class Test 5 Spanish Language (B) 1 (Autumn Grammar Tests 1 & 2) N/A
Written Assessment 5 Spanish Language (B) 1 (Autumn Essay) N/A
Written Assessment 5 Spanish Language (B) 1 (Autumn Trans: Eng-Sp) N/A
Written Assessment 5 Spanish Language (B) 1 (Autumn Trans: Sp-Eng) N/A
Class Test 5 Spanish Language (B) 1 (Spring Grammar Tests 1 & 2) N/A
Written Assessment 5 Spanish Language (B) 1 (Spring Essay) N/A
Written Assessment 5 Spanish Language (B) 1 (Spring Trans: Eng-Sp) N/A
Written Assessment 5 Spanish Language (B) 1 (Spring Trans: Sp-Eng) N/A

Syllabus content

Here is a list of the main grammatical points that will be covered during the Autumn Semester:

1.      The Article

o    The Definite Article (Forms and Usage)

o    The Indefinite Article (Forms and Usage)

2.     The Noun

o    Gender

o    Gender associated with meaning

o    Gender associated with ending

o    Number: Plural Formation

3.     Accentuation, Stress, Vowels and Diphthongs

4.     Uses of “Ser” and “Estar”

  • The basic meaning and functions of “ser”
  • The basic meaning and functions of “estar”

5.     Verbs. Use of the Tenses

o    Present, Indefinite, Imperfect, Perfect, Pluperfect Indicative

o    Irregular Verbs

6.       Subjunctive:

-Tenses of the Subjunctive

1.     Present

2.     Imperfect

3.     Perfect

4.     Pluperfect

5.     Influence, emotion and judgement

6.     Doubt, disbelief and possibility

7.     Futurity, purpose and other expressions

8.     Indefinite and negative antecedents

9.     Relative sentences

 

7.      Indefinite and negative pronouns and adjectives (Uno, ninguno, alguien, nada, etc.)

8.     The Passive

9.     Pronouns (Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns)

10.  The Imperative

o    Formal/Familiar

o    Positive/Negative Commands

11.  Imperative with pronouns

12.  Verb + preposition. Prepositions “por” and “para” (Christmas Work)

Outline of the Grammar Course for Ex-Beginners Students (Stage 5)

Here is a list of the main grammatical points that will be covered during the Spring Semester:

  • Práctica de las Oraciones Temporales.
  • Práctica de las Oraciones Concesivas.
  • Práctica de las Oraciones Causales.
  • Práctica de las Oraciones Finales.
  • Práctica de las Oraciones Condicionales.
  • El Estilo Indirecto.
  • Expresión de magnitudes (1)
  • Expresión de magnitudes (2)
  • Las Perífrases Verbales.

Outline of speaking, listening and reading topics for Ex-Beginners Students (Stage 4):

  •  Los Verbos de Cambio.

1.     Las relaciones personales.

2.     El cuerpo y la salud.

3.     Los bancos y las compras.

4.     La ciudad y los transportes.

Outline of speaking, listening and reading topics for Ex-Beginners Students (Stage 5)

                1. Gastronomía.

                2. Trabajo y estudios en Latinoamérica.

               3. Cine, televisión y espectáculos.

               4. El medio ambiente

Essential Reading and Resource List

  Recommended texts for Spanish language modules

ALL students should buy:

John Butt & Carmen Benjamin: A New Reference Grammar of Modern Spanish. 5th edition, Hodder Education 2011.

ALL students should also own one of the following bilingual dictionaries:

Collins Spanish Dictionary: Complete and Unabridged(Spanish/English, English/Spanish). 9th edition. London: Collins, 2009. (Also available in digital format)

[Alternatively: Collins Concise Spanish Dictionary (Spanish/English, English/Spanish). 7th edition. London: Collins, 2008. (Also available in digital format)]

OR

Oxford Spanish Dictionary(Spanish/English, English/Spanish). 4th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008.

[Alternatively:Concise Oxford Spanish Dictionary. 4th edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.]

Spanish Grammar Course Kit located in Learning Central.

Spanish Translation Course Kit located in Learning Central

Spanish Conversation and Reading comprehension Course Kit located in Learning Central.

Spanish Self-study exercises located in Leaning Central.

Students of Spanish are further encouraged to access Spanish or Latin American newspapers (El País, ABC, El Mundo, La Vanguardia, La Jornada etc.) available on the Internet.


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