ULSP30010 - Beginners' Spanish (A1+) – Enhanced

• Credits: 20
• Level: 3
• Pre-requisite: None
• Co-requisite: This enhanced level is open to final year students only, but not students following Honours courses in Spanish
• Taught during: Both semesters
• Timetable: Timetable for the course (This course follows the same timetable as ULSP10010)

Description

This course is for absolute beginners who are final year students. It aims to give students a basic competence in the skills of reading, listening, spoken and writing Spanish in a dynamic and communicative way, through individual, pair and group work, using studio-based and authentic texts. The focus is on accuracy as well as the development of communicative skills. Students will be expected to use the range of resources available to them in the Language Centre and to communicate with native speakers wherever possible, in order to develop cultural competence. This is an enhanced course unit for Level 3, so students are also expected to complete a number of independent learning tasks and submit this work in the form of an assessed dossier - three tasks per semester.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Understand short, simple messages and announcements;
2. read short simple texts and find specific information;
3. communicate in simple, routine situations;
4. write simple notes, messages and short personal letters.

By the end of the course, students should be able to perform at Level A1+/A2+ of the Common European Framework.

Transferable skills

Pair and team work, focused listening, informal presentations, language awareness, cultural appreciation.

Teaching and learning methods

Seminars, three hours per week. In addition, compilation of an independent learning dossier on topics of personal interest and/or prospective career relevance.

Assessment

Five pieces of assessed work as follows:

• Semester one: Written test (Reading, Grammar, Writing) 20%. Independent learning dossier - four tasks 10%. The written assessment will normally take place during week 12
• Semester two: Listening test 15%; Written test (Reading, Grammar, Writing) 25%; and Oral test 20%. Independent learning dossier – one extended open task (10%), (to be handed in the week before the Easter break, normally 7 or 8). The listening assessment will take place in the week before the Easter break (normally week 7 or 8); written and oral assessments will normally be scheduled in weeks 11 and 12

Nature and timing of feedback

Feedback will include a combination of: informal ongoing oral and written feedback resulting from homework and class-based learning activities; formal written feedback will be given following every assessment.

Convenor

Ana Niño

Taught by

See timetables

Maximum entry

22 per group

Set texts

• Aula Internacional 1 (new bilingual edition) ISBN: 9788415846772.

Textbooks will be complemented by tutor with extra contents and resources in line with the CEF standards for each level.

Recommended texts

• Reading: Easy Spanish Reader with CD-Rom ISBN 9780071603386;
• Language practice: Collins Easy Learning Spanish Grammar, ISBN: 9780008142018

Pathway

None

Employability

Successful completion of this course unit will enhance your curriculum vitae and your employability by showing that you have a capacity to learn other languages and the desire to engage with other cultures.