Spanish Intermediate Accelerated for finalists (LL357)
Summary
Level:
Prior knowledge of Spanish required:
- A2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference). Level to be confirmed at diagnostic interview.
- Or a high grade in GCSE or equivalent
- Or Language Centre Spanish 2 or Beginners Accelerated
- Or equivalent
Main Objectives:
- To improve reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. To develop greater fluency when speaking.
- To understand ideas in complex text, and produce text on a wide range of topics.
- To research, analyse and reflect on cultural contexts, enhancing their cultural knowledge, as well as intercultural and cross-cultural competencies.
- To work towards B2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)
Credits:
30 CREDITS.
Teaching:
One weekly blended session for 21 weeks, organised as:
- Three-hour face-to-face class on campus
- Four online workshops, each lasting ninety minutes, spread across terms 1 and 2.
- Some independent study will also be set
If health & safety restrictions are required, teaching may move online.
Students are reminded that 1 credit = 10 hours of study, therefore for a 30 credit module, the minimum expected amount of study is 300 hours, which averages out at over 10 hours per week. A substantial amount of independent study is therefore required. Students can make use of Moodle to facilitate this.
Assessment:
Term 2: Portfolio (15%)
Term 3: one reading/writing test (30%) + one speaking test (40%) + one independent project (15%)
Main Tutor:
Susana Jackson-Houlston s.jackson-houlston@warwick.ac.uk
Course Texts (must be bought by the student):
Course books:
- Frecuencias B1 - Libro del estudiante, Edinumen, ISBN: 978-8491794059
Students can get either the physical book, or the digital version.
- Frecuencias B1 - Libro de ejercicios, Edinumen, ISBN: 978-8491794097
Students can get either the physical book, or the digital version.
Selected texts and resources will also be provided by the tutor.
Course Description
The module is designed to enable students who have demonstrated higher linguistic skills to fast-track two levels (levels 3 and 4) in one year instead of two.
The module will strengthen reading and writing skills and will also reinforce the communicative skills acquired during previous study of the Spanish language. Students will gain further insights into the culture and civilisation of Spanish-speaking countries. The module will offer a more advanced study of language structure and syntax, and will concentrate on using the target language for discussing and analysing aspects of the Spanish-speaking world. Students will also gain a critical understanding of cultural contexts; analytical and reflective abilities in cross-cultural settings and autonomous learning and effective resource management.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- apply knowledge of grammar appropriate to the level.
- uderstand the main ideas and some detail of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics.
- interact with fluency and spontaneity, and account for and sustain viewpoints.
- write clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects; explain viewpoints on topical issues.
-
critically analyse and reflect on cultural contexts, demonstrating enhanced intercultural and cross-cultural competencies.
- conduct and present independent research into Spanish-speaking culture(s) and society(ies).
By the end of the course, students should be able to perform many tasks at Level B2.1 Independent user (vantage) of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
Syllabus
This module will allow students to develop strategies for self-directed and autonomous learning, as well as an understanding of diverse cultural contexts and the ability to engage with and communicate on them thoughtfully and respectfully.
Topics
Some of the topics to be discussed in this module include: history, new technologies, fairy tales, leisure activities, the environment, health, sports, social media, education.
Grammar
This module will cover items such as: the past tenses (preterit, present perfect, imperfect, pluperfect); the future and the conditional tense; direct and indirect object pronouns; the subjunctive.
Subject-specific and transferable skills
- Strategies for understanding gist and specific information
- Strategies to communicate effectively both in writing and orally in Spanish
- Intercultural Awareness, Professionalism, Digital Literacy, Teamwork, Problem-solving, Critical Thinking.
Can count towards the Warwick Award
