ML9009: Spanish Advanced Part 1

School Languages for All
Department Code MLANG
Module Code ML9009
External Subject Code R410
Number of Credits 10
Level L4
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Catherine Chabert
Semester Autumn Semester
Academic Year 2014/5

Outline Description of Module

This is a course designed for students who completed Spanish Higher Intermediate 1 & 2 or who have studied Spanish up to A-Level or equivalent. This course aims to provide you with the necessary linguistic tools you need to be able to understand topics such as family, hobbies and interests, work, travel and current events, and to identify unfamiliar words from the context on topics related to your field/interests. You will also further develop your understanding of the culture of Spanish speaking countries.

This course is the first part of the preparation for CEFR B1.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

-        Understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.

-        Deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken.

-        Produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.

-        Describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

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 the main points of clear, standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered; understand the main points of many radio and TV programmes on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interests then the delivery is relatively slow and clear.

-        Understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language.

-        Deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken; enter unprepared into conversations on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life.

-        Write simple and connected texts on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.

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
Oral/Aural Assessment 20 Listening Assessment N/A

Syllabus content

All skills (writing, reading, listening, talking and translation) will be further developed on the following topics:

-        El ocio y la cultura (latino cinema; Easter festival and other traditional events; Mexico);

-        La sociedad (social trends in Spain);

-        El mundo hispano (legend of El Dorado; adventure televisión; Che Guevara, music);

-        La educación (e-learning, how to be a successful student, study abroad and open your mind).

Essential Reading and Resource List

Pasaporte al Mundo Hispano: Segunda Edición: Advanced Spanish Resource Book, 2009, 2nd Edition; S. Anaya Guzman; Continuum (Units 1-4).

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

¡Acción Gramática!, 2006, 3rd edition; P. Turk and M. Zollo; Hodder & Stoughton.

Background Reading and Resource List

To prepare for B1:

El Cronometro B1: Nuevo Dele, 2013,2nd Edition; A. Bech, M. J. Pereja and P. Calderon; Edinumen.


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