Newcastle University > Undergraduate > Find a Degree > Module

• Offered for Year: 2020/21

• Module Leader(s): Ms Lucy Hill
• Other Staff: Mr Samuel Anaya-Guzman

• Owning School: Modern Languages
• Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the SML, this module will:
1. prepare students for the future study of language (written communicative and oral/aural skills).
2. focus on developing the students' communicative competence in the foreign language (including fluency, grammatical and lexical accuracy, range and pronunciation).
3. develop independent language learning strategies.
4. facilitate students' ability to establish and maintain effective social and working relations with speakers of the foreign language.

This module is open to all students wishing to study Spanish at Beginner level (both true beginners and post GCSE welcome). This is an INTENSIVE general language class offering students the opportunity to study and practise Spanish (speaking, reading, writing and listening skills) for
four weekly contact hours. Themes and communication skills addressed in the language classes include: Talking about self; Asking for/giving directions; Expressing opinions: agreement and disagreement; Referring to past and future events (including plans, intentions and conditions).

Please note that tasks concerning talking involve both speaking and listening.

Outline Of Syllabus

Unit 0: ¡Bienvenido al español!
Unit 1: Primeras impresiones.
Unit 2: ¿Quién es quién?
Unit 3: Mi ciudad y mi barrio.
Unit 4. ¿Donde está?
Unit 5: En el mercado.
Unit 6: Asi se nos va el dia.
Unit 7: Esta es su casa.
Unit 8: En cuerpo y alma.
Unit 9: Hoy es fiesta.
Unit 10: De viaje.
Unit 11: Nos quedamos para el festival.
Unit 12: Estuve en Acapulco.
Unit 13: Cuando era joven.
Unit 14: Las estaciones y el tiempo.
Unit 15: Paso hace mucho tiempo.
Unit 16: ¡A comer!
Unit 17: Suenos y deseos.
Unit 18: De compras.
Unit 19: ¿Has visto la última película?
Unit 20: Te llamare mañana.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

1. Linguistic knowledge and the ability to use language effectively i.e. linguistic skills go hand in hand.
2. To teach and learn these outcomes (knowledge and skills) effectively they need to be presented, practised and consolidated through language classes and private study.
3. The integration of linguistic knowledge i.e. vocabulary, grammar, functions, notions and knowledge of the cultures of the Spanish speaking world and the key skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening is appropriately served by the language classes through suitable presentations and plenty of practice through individual, pair and group work.
4. In common with other foreign languages Spanish requires substantial 'guided autonomous learning' activity which is catered for in the 156 hours of private study. Through this study:
A) The knowledge introduced and practised in the classes is revised, consolidated and expanded.
B) Students are also given opportunities to practice further reading, writing and listening skills.
C) Students learn to evaluate their own performance and develop a range of strategies for language learning.
5. To ensure the learning of the above outcomes is effective, formative feedback is given in two ways:
A) Indirectly through self-assessment e.g. through internet and commercially available answer keys.
B) Directly by the teacher e.g. in the writing skills exercises which students carry out on a weekly basis.

The module will be taught and assessed in Spanish and English.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams

Other Assessment

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

- One 90 minute examination at the end of Semester 1 (60%) consisting of any three of the following:
a) a translation into Spanish
b) the language content of the textbook
c) composition in Spanish: either an essay or a letter
d) grammar exercises
e) a reading comprehension task
This exam, which consists of reading, writing and grammar exercise, will test students' ability to reaf and understand texts in the target language. In some cases, students may be allowed to type their own answers provided that spell check/grammar check has been disabled.

- One listening 50 minute test towards the end of Semester 1 (20%). This listening exam will test the students' ability to listen and understand audio sources and to respond appropriately in written form. In some cases, students may be allowed to type their own answers provided that the spell check/grammar check has been disabled.
- Continuous classroom participation in oral and written tasks throughout the semester (20%)

1. Knowledge outcomes will be assessed by each of the modes of assessment defined above.
2. the 4 macro-skills will be primarily and explicitly assessed as follows:
a) Reading and Writing: Formal written examination.
b) Listening: Test of listening comprehension.
c) Speaking: By speaking tasks to be prepared as homework.
3. These assessment methods are commonly used in language testing and are appropriate to the individual skills being assessed.

Reading Lists

• SPA1065's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• SPA1065's Timetable