Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Oral | 10 x 1 Hour Orals |
| Grammar | 10 x 1 Hour Grammar |
| Listening | 10 x 1 Hour Listening |
| Tutorial | 10 x 1 Hour Tutorials |
| Translation | 10 x 1 Hour Translations |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 50%: 10 written assignments, 5 of them under exam conditions (those taken under exam conditions counting twice as much as the others); 10%: oral (4 marks based on attendance, active contribution and performance in small oral groups); 20%: listening comprehension (2 tests). | 80% |
| Semester Exam | The oral Examination takes the form of a 15-minute interview with one member of staff. During this interview the candidate will be asked: (a) to offer a brief presentation (maximum 5-7 minutes) in the target language on a selected topic and (b) to engage in a general conversation arising in the first instance from the presentation itself. Some weeks before the oral exam, students will be provided with 6 topics taken from the topics covered during the oral classes throughout the year. They will need to prepare all six of these topics as only one of them will be given to the student in the exam. The final exam topic will be provided to the candidate at the beginning of the examination. There will be no period of preparation time immediately beforehand. Candidates are reminded that they are not allowed to read from a script and are not allowed to bring any notes into the examination room; they must not deliver a previously learnt speech. The presentation should lead into (and be constructed so as to lead into) a conversation and further discussion of the topic. A more general conversation will follow. | 20% |
| Supplementary Exam | 3 Hours 1 x 3-hour written examination (unless ONLY the oral component is failed, in which case the supplementary exam will be an oral examination). | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, if you have made satisfactory progress, you will be able to:
- identify your own improvement in Spanish vocabulary and grammatical knowledge in written - and spoken language
- differentiate between major stylistic levels of Spanish
- recognise and understand different linguistic registers in Spanish
- translate selected Spanish passages showing idiomatic, authentic style and grammatical usage
- present independently prepared material in spoken or written Spanish
- discuss and debate topical issues in Spanish
- summarise in your own words selected pieces of written or spoken Spanish
- give your own insights into contemporary Spanish life and culture
- take part in role-plays in Spanish
- enter into conversation in Spanish with confidence in your ability to express youself
Language modules have, as an integral part of their structure, regular homework assignments and class tests as well as end of year examinations. All assessment is designed to measure your progress against learning outcomes at the appropriate level.
Brief description
A weekly language/grammar class, which utilises a variety of material, seeks to develop expression by the discussion and completion of exercises that include comprehension, gap-filling, error detection and correction, generative and descriptive exercises, and oral commentary. The written assignments for this class comprise of redacciones or essay writing. This work is complemented by a weekly class which is primarily devoted to translation into and out of Spanish and in which accuracy and authenticity is stressed. Students will complete several written assignments throughout the year and are expected to complete at least 5 hours of autonomous study per week. There are a variety of facilities available for students to facilitate independent study including, the University Library, the Language Resource Centre (LRC) and the Self-Study Language Workroom (Hugh Owen C32).
Listening classes take place weekly in order to develop the student’s listening comprehension skills (of considerable importance in preparation for the Year Abroad). Listening Classes are assessed by regular tests which contribute 20% of the total module marks. Students are expected and strongly advised to practice their listening comprehension skills in their own time (e.g. using the LRC): this is a skill where practice does indeed make perfect.
In the weekly oral classes students are required to offer presentations in Spanish on given topics and are expected to participate actively in role plays, conversations and discussions related to contemporary issues.
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5