Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

This module is not suitable for native speakers or those with an A-Level (or equivalent) in Catalan.

Co Requisite Comment

Students must be taking FRE2061 Level C French or SPA2061 Level C Spanish in order to take this module.

Students can only take ONE of: GER2031: Dutch I, SML2014: Italian Language and Culture I, SPA2021: Catalan I OR SML2017: Korean I.

Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the SML, this module aims to build on skills acquired at Stage 1 (languages learning skills and skills of cultural study) and provide students with an introduction to modern Catalan which will take them up to Lower Intermediate (post-GCSE equivalent) level.

This is an introduction to the Catalan language. It aims to give you a basic knowledge of Catalan grammar and vocabulary using written and spoken sources (this includes students’ ability to use and understand authentic material and produce their own written and spoken output). You will also learn to communicate orally in Catalan and understand varieties of the spoken language. You will also learn to identify the problems that beset a ‘minority’ language and its cultures and set these in the context of your knowledge of modern Spain and France.

Outline Of Syllabus

Work requirements:

Weekly language exercises: consisting of grammar, comprehension and translation exercises.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of this module you will have gained:

- An understanding of authentic written texts in Catalan
- Translation skills Catalan - English
- A knowledge of Catalan grammar, register variation and pronunciation
- Knowledge of a range of vocabulary and idiom (spoken and written)
- Listening skills with the use of different types of authentic sources in the foreign language and the ability to respond appropriately in written or oral form.

Intended Skill Outcomes

You will have learned to:

- Write and/or tye in the target language (e.g.: reports, essays, summaries)
- Read for information using authentic materials of appropriate complexity and length and respond appropriately in written or oral form.
- Communicate orally in Catalan and understand varieties of the spoken language
- Converse, discussing directly with target language speakers and producing and giving presentations in Catalan using an appropriate range, on agreed topics.
- Identify the problems that beset a 'minority' language and set these in the context of your knowledge of modern Spain and France.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Private study mainly in the Language Resource Centre

As this is a beginners’ languages course, it is more classroom-based than the other optional modules, hence the higher number of contact hours (partly funded by Institut Ramón Llull). The language teaching will be integrated (oral, aural, and writing skills), rather than compartmentalised, and thereby closer to a real-life situation. This explains why class tests and group learning are continuous.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Written examination (unseen) (70%) - In the 90-minute exam students will answer 3 sections:
a) Reading comprehension with short questions
b) Grammar and vocabulary exercises
c) Write a composition in Catalan of 150-180 words on a personal topic. There will be two options.

Oral examination (30%) consisting of a conversation in pairs on one of the topics covered in the course, assessing oral and listening skills at the end of semester 2 (15 minutes).

General Notes

N/A