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CFLS1S41: SPANISH STAGE 4

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Open
Level 1
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2023/24
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Centre for Foreign Language Study

Prerequisites

  • Grade A or B in A-Level Spanish or successful completion of Spanish Stage 3 or an equivalent qualification, subject to decision by the module's language coordinator. No higher Spanish language entry qualification permitted.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • Any Core Language Modules offered by the School of Modern Languages & Cultures

Aims

  • To consolidate and widen further the knowledge of the Spanish language, including grammar and lexis.
  • To enhance communicative proficiency in Spanish, in both writing and oral (presentation and interaction).
  • To develop further listening and reading skills.
  • To broaden the knowledge of contemporary Spanish-speaking countries
  • To develop intercultural awareness of Spain and South America.

Content

  • The development of the students' language skills (reading, writing, listening, spoken production and interaction) will be integrated into a framework focussing on various aspects of contemporary Spain and Latin America (culture, politics, everyday life, gastronomy, social issues, etc).
  • Course book materials will be supplemented with multimedia resources available online.
  • There will be two one-hour seminars a week, which will be used to consolidate and develop grammatical and lexical knowledge as well as to practice oral, aural and writing skills.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • On successful completion of this module learners will be able to:
  • demonstrate a sound knowledge of some aspects of contemporary Spain and South America;
  • demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the cultures and societies in Spain and Spanish-speaking countries gained through the study of cultural products;
  • demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of the main Spanish linguistic principles, structures and registers used in various types of documents (essays, newspaper articles, songs, adverts, websites, etc.).

Subject-specific Skills:

  • On successful completion of the module learners will be able to:
  • demonstrate the ability to carry out basic research in the target language and present an oral and written summary;
  • write essays on a various contemporary Spanish and Latin American issues, expressing and discussing views;
  • enter unprepared into conversation and issues related both to familiar and unfamiliar topics;
  • understand and report on the main points of clear standard speech and authentic aural passages on various topics;
  • apply a range of grammatical principles;
  • make effective use of reference material such as grammars and dictionaries;
  • give an oral presentation in Spanish;
  • use a range of language learning techniques and skills effectively by independently developing strategies to extend their lexis and knowledge of grammar.

Key Skills:

  • On successful completion of this module learners will be able to:
  • write an essay demonstrating the ability to organise ideas in a logical and coherent sequence in sustained prose and critically analyse arguments;
  • communicate information, ideas and arguments both orally and in writing;
  • independently gather, process and reference information from a variety of paper, audio-visual and electronic resources;
  • use IT effectively both as a means of communication and as an aid to learning;

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • This module is delivered through seminar style classes.
  • Contact time will be used to introduce new material and provide the students with high quality target language input from the module tutor and multimedia sources.
  • In preparation for each session students will be expected to revise new material and complete formative language exercises.
  • The assessment scheme for this module is designed to test students' level of attainment in language production (speaking and writing) and reception (listening and reading). In order to reflect the continuous nature of the language learning process the module will be assessed by a combination of formative and summative in-course assessment and by formal written examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Seminars40two times per week1 hour40Yes
Preparation and Reading 160 
Total 200 

Summative Assessment

Component: Reading & WritingComponent Weighting: 50%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
2 summative pieces, mark awarded based on best submission100Yes - one submission
Component: Speaking & WritingComponent Weighting: 50%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
2 summative pieces, mark awarded based on best submission15 minutes each100Yes - one submission

Formative Assessment

Regular homework/assignments will be given to the students to practise and consolidate what they have done in class and to prepare the following session, some of which will be submitted and marked as formative assignments and regular feedback will be given to the students accordingly.

More information

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