Spanish Beginners Accelerated for finalists (LL364)
Summary
Level
Absolute Beginners only. This module is offered to students with no prior knowledge of Spanish. Due to the 'accelerated' aspect of the module, evidence of prior linguistic achievement (e.g. a GCSE A* grade in another European language) is essential.
Main Objectives
- To develop competence in a range of predictable everyday tasks.
- To acquire essential listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
- To obtain an insight into the Spanish speaking world.
- To research, analyse and reflect on cultural contexts, enhancing their cultural knowledge, as well as intercultural and cross-cultural competencies.
- To work towards A2 of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference).
Credits
30 CREDITS.
Teaching
- One weekly session for 21 weeks consisting of 3-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.
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 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 1 - one interim test (10%)
Term 3 - one reading/writing test (35%) + one speaking test (40%) + one independent project (15%)
Main tutors
Carmen Barreras Moreno c.barreras-moreno@warwick.ac.uk
Marta Peón Villar marta.peon-villar@warwick.ac.uk
Course Text-books (must be bought by student):
- Frecuencias Fusión A1-A2 - Libro del estudiante, Edinumen. ISBN: 978-84-9179-619-0.
Students can get either the physical book, or the digital version. - Frecuencias Fusión A1-A2 - Libro de ejercicios, Edinumen. ISBN: 978-84-91796-21-3.
Students can get either the physical book, or the digital version.
Course Description
A general foundation in language, extending across the four main skills areas (speaking, writing, listening and reading), with an emphasis upon the acquisition of an essential grammatical basis and development of both receptive and productive skills. Students will also gain a critical understanding of cultural context; analytical and reflective abilities in cross-cultural settings; and autonomous learning and effective resource management.
Successful completion of Spanish Beginners Accelerated qualifies students to progress to Spanish 3Link opens in a new window or Spanish Intermediate AcceleratedLink opens in a new window.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Apply a basic knowledge of grammar.
- Gain insight into everyday life in the relevant countries.
- Apply strategies for understanding gist and short descriptions.
- Interact about familiar topics and activities.
- Write simple texts giving background information and relating to areas of immediate need.
- Diagnose strengths and weaknesses in their productive language skills and take relevant steps to address their weaknesses.
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Critically analyse and reflect on cultural contexts, demonstrating enhanced intercultural and cross-cultural competencies.
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Conduct and present independent research into Spanish-speaking culture(s) and society(ies).
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Self-monitor and self-regulate their own learning and manage resources.
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
The course will cover items such as:
- Greetings, introductions, asking and giving personal information.
- Family, houses, clothes and means of transports.
- Habits, hobbies, sports and leisure activities.
- Food, beverages, celebrations and express wishes.
- Travel, accommodation, tourism, weather, cardinal points and seasons.
- Internet, new technology, inventions and inventors.
Grammar
This module will provide an introduction to fundamental features of Spanish and essential basic structures, making it possible to function in a range of everyday situations using the present and past tenses, adjectives and adverbs. The use of connectors, comparative and superlative adjectives, direct and indirect objects and the imperative tense.
Subject-specific and transferable skills
- Written and spoken communications.
- Strategies for understanding gist and specific information.
- Intercultural Awareness, Organisational skills, Interpersonal skills and Digital skills.
Can count towards the Warwick AwardLink opens in a new window
