ML9006: Spanish Intermediate Part 2

School Languages for All
Department Code MLANG
Module Code ML9006
External Subject Code R410
Number of Credits 10
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Catherine Chabert
Semester Spring Semester
Academic Year 2014/5

Outline Description of Module

This is a course designed for students who completed Spanish Intermediate 1 or who, since their GCSE or equivalent, have recently studied some Spanish. This course aims to provide you with the necessary linguistic tools to be able to confidently cope with everyday situations, make and respond to invitations, apologies, etc., and understand a simple and direct exchange of limited information on familiar and routine matters.

This course prepares students for CEFR A2.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

 -        Understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).

-        Communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.-        Describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

How the module will be delivered

All courses on the Languages for All programme are delivered on a hybrid mode, mixing face-to-face and virtual teaching. You will be expected to actively participate in role-plays, interactive activities and group discussions. Course material is accessible on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Learning Central, and should be cross-platform compatible.

18 contact hours – 2 hours per week of interactive language workshops.

Skills that will be practised and developed

Intellectual Skills:

-        Enhanced cognitive skills leading to innovation, creativity and problem solving.

-        Critical analysis applied to discourse, texts, images and events.

-        Advanced listening and reading skills: the ability to scan complex texts (including audio) for gist, to synthesise information and focus on salient points.

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

-        Understand spoken phrases and the highest frequency vocabulary related to areas of most immediate personal relevance; catch the main point in spoken short, clear, simple messages.

-        Read very short, simple texts; find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material.

-        Communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar topics and activities.

-        Write short, simple notes and messages relating to matters in areas of immediate needs.

Transferable Skills:

-        Ability to learn additional languages for personal/employment reasons.

-        Awareness of and sensitivity to diversity based on culture.

-        Ability to navigate and mediate between more than one culture to interpret meaning and intent beyond the purely linguistic.

-        Heightened literacy, textual analysis and oracy in mother tongue.

-        Presentation skills.

-        Ability to work cooperatively, as a member of a team or with a partner.

-        Problem solving and the ability to look at things from multiple perspectives.

How the module will be assessed

Written class test (30%) and course work (30%).  

Oral and aural continuous assessment (40%). 

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Class Test 30 Written Class Test N/A
Written Assessment 15 Coursework 1 N/A
Written Assessment 15 Coursework 2 N/A
Oral/Aural Assessment 20 Speaking Assessment N/A
Written Assessment 20 Listening Assessment N/A

Syllabus content

-        Toda una vida (talk about historical facts and key events in people´s life; discuss plans achieved or not achieved and life experiences; express and request information about a CV; apply for a job/work placement);

-        Curiosidades (identify and define; describe and compare people, things and places; talk about obligation, permission and prohibition, including social norms);

-        Cómo éramos antes (describe people and usual actions in the past; compare actions, events, customs and habits in the past).

Essential Reading and Resource List

Nuevo Prisma A2 - Libro del alumno, 2013; Equipo nuevo Prisma; Edinumen (Units 4-6)

A Spanish Learning Grammar, 2012, 3rd edition; P.Muñoz and M. Thacker; Routledge

Background Reading and Resource List

To prepare for A2:

El Cronometro A2, 2011, A. Bech Tormo, E. Dominguez Marin, C. Salvador Garcia and M. Sauras Rodriguez-Olleros, Edinumen.


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