Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Level C (HE) / Level B2 of the European Framework or equivalent at entry level
Native Spanish speaking Exchange students should not take this module.

Co Requisite Comment

Students must choose one of SPA4082 or SPA4083 except students studying R9Q9 who must choose SPA4082.

Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in SML, this module will:

- build on language skills gained at Stages 1, 2 and 3.
- provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the target language and with the ability to develop a high level of written proficiency in professional and academic environments.
- prepare students for postgraduate study in areas that make extensive use of the target language.
- develop students' written translation skills into the target language.

Outline Of Syllabus

Specific topics and materials based on current issues will initially be provided by the lecturer. Subsequently, these will be supplied by students themselves for group practice in group work sessions.

Translation into the target language, summarising, and open writing will be practised throughout the year, preparing students for written communication in the target language.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have gained knowledge in:

- The use of appropriate sentence and text structures, lexicon and register in a range of advanced discourse types
- All areas of grammar, vocabulary and background knowledge related to the skills listed below

Intended Skill Outcomes

Subject-Specific skills:

By the end of the module, students will have gained experience in:

- using complex lexical and grammatical structures in a range of advanced discourse types,
- synthesising information from a variety of authentic sources, comprising extended written input from a variety of demanding discourse types
- intensive reading of complex authentic material from a variety of demanding discourse types
- extended writing in the target language, focusing particularly on argumentative and synthetic compositions in a formal academic register
- discuss and synthesise complex ideas from a range of extensive authentic texts in groups (both orally and in writing) and produce a forceful and convincing argument in persuasive writing.

Cognitive/intellectual skills:

Students will further their ability to:
- locate, make use of and critically evaluate materials for this course other than those provided by the lecturer.
- apply and evaluate a range of learning strategies appropriate to the demands of the course
- work independently and confidently, on their own or as part of a group, either within or outside the classroom
- conduct research using the Internet and other sources in order to contribute their own materials to the course.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Language classes will introduce, model and offer guidance in each of the skills that students are required to practise during the course (including summary and commentary writing, intensive reading, taking part in critical discussions, and translation into the foreign language).

Group work will offer students an opportunity to work in small groups (in the target language) under close supervision of the lecturer. These classes will focus on the skills listed in the outline syllabus.

Teaching will be mostly in the target language.

Work requirements:
- researching materials for oral presentation and discussion
- writing critical discussions and summaries in the target language
- practising and revising advanced vocabulary and grammar

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

*Both written exams will be on campus to ensure that the students' output is produced in identical conditions and is their own work.

General Notes

N/A