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Module

SPA2021 : Introduction to Catalan

  • Offered for Year: 2020/21
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Josep Cru Talaveron
  • Other Staff: Miss Neus Colomer Collell
  • Owning School: Modern Languages
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0

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.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching441:0044:00Language Classes
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1156:00156:00N/A
Total200:00
Jointly Taught With
Code Title
SPA2121Introduction to Catalan - Part 1
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Private study mainly in the Learning 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 (mainly 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 Methods

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

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination902A60Test students’ ability to write or type in TL. Students may be allowed to type own answers providing spell/grammar check is disabled
Aural Examination452M20Test students’ ability to listen & understand authentic audio/video sources & to respond appropriately in written/oral form. Wk 11.
Oral Examination102M20Test students’ ability to produce and present their own output orally. Week 12. * Continued in Rationale below.
Formative Assessments
Description Semester When Set Comment
Written exercise1MSet by the teacher according to course progress
Written exercise2MSet by the teacher according to course progress
Oral Presentation1MIn-class oral presentations set by the teacher according to course progress
Oral Presentation2MIn-class oral presentations set by the teacher according to course progress
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Written examination (unseen) (60%) - In the 90-minute exam students will answer 3 sections:
a) Reading comprehension
b) Grammar and vocabulary exercises
c) Writing

Listening comprehension exam (20%) At the end of Semester 2 (45 minutes).

Oral examination (20%) At the end of Semester 2 (10 minutes).

In the 120 minute written examination students will answer questions which directly relate to skills learned during the course.

In addition, the 15 minute oral exam will allow students to give evidence of their ability in spoken Catalan exercise based on an everyday situation. The oral examination is an integrated test of oral and aural skills.

* (Continued from above) It might rely on the use of specific software and technology such as listening from a recording and recording linguistic production.

Reading Lists

Timetable