ULSP30010 - Beginners' Spanish (A1+) for final years students

  • Credits: 20
  • Level: 3
  • Pre-requisite: This unit is suitable for those who have never studied Spanish before.
  • Co-requisite: This enhanced level is open to year 3 or year 4 students only.  If you are studying a Modern Languages Degree, either single or joint honours, please refer to relevant guidance about eligibility for LEAP units on your programme structure.  This enhanced level is open to final year students only.
  • Taught during: Both semesters (September to May).
  • Timetable: Timetable for the course (This course follows the same timetable as ULSP10010)

Description

This course is for absolute beginners who are year 3 or year 4 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

One three-hour seminar per week, delivered through blended learning which integrates on campus and on-line instruction as necessary. This will also include online digital learning available via Blackboard and supplemented by extra online resources to aid students in their independent learning.

Assessment

Five pieces of assessed work as follows:

  • Semester one: Written test submitted online (Reading,  Writing) 20%. Independent learning dossier submitted online - four tasks 10%.
  • Semester two: Listening test 15%; Written test (Reading, Grammar, Writing) 25%; and Oral test 20%. Independent learning dossier – one extended open task (10%),

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

Sandra Torres

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

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.