SPA4082 : Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Language for Professional & Academic Purposes
- Offered for Year: 2020/21
- Module Leader(s): Dr Josep Cru Talaveron
- Lecturer: Ms Maria Zubelzu de Brown
- Owning School: Modern Languages
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 5 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 5 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
Aims
In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the SML, this module aims to:
- build on language skills gained at stages 1, 2 and 3
- provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the Spanish language and with the ability to use it at a high level of proficiency in professional and academic environments.
- prepare students for postgraduate study in areas that make extensive and intensive use of the target language
- focus on further developing students' oral, aural and written competence in the foreign language gained at stages 2 and 3, with a focus on the professional and academic world.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module focuses on two main activities:
- professional oral communication skills
- aural comprehension and written report and/or commentary
In Semester 1, students will be given the opportunity to practise formal oral communication in the target language in a variety of professional and academic contexts, eg. presentations (informative and persuasive); discussions; debates; vivas and interviews (professional and media).
In Semester 2, students will learn to synthesise audio-visual materials in a formal and professional manner. They will practise written communication in the target language through a range of professional and academic tasks, eg. reports, syntheses, commentaries or critical reviews. The audio-visual sources will cover cultural, political, economic and societal themes in relation to the Spanish-speaking world.
Teaching Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 15 | 1:00 | 15:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 16 | 1:00 | 16:00 | 9 hours present in person. 7 hours online synchronous. |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 18 | 1:00 | 18:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 49 | 1:00 | 49:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Online synchronous. |
| Total | 100:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| SPA4182 | Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Language for Professional & Academic Purposes - Exchange Students Semester 1 |
| SPA4282 | Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Language for Professional & Academic Purposes - Exchange Students Semester 2 |
| SPA4085 | Level D (HE Further Advanced) Spanish: Language for Professional & Academic Purposes - IBM |
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 (e.g. oral presentations, taking part in critical discussions, aural comprehension and commentary, etc.).
Group work will offer students an opportunity to work in small groups (in the target language and in English) under close supervision of the lecturer. These classes will focus on the skills listed in the outline syllabus.
Teaching will be mainly in the target language.
Assessment Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 10 | 2 | M | 50 | This will test students’ ability to be efficient and persuasive oral communicators in the Target Language *Cont in Rationale below |
| Aural Examination | 90 | 2 | A | 50 | This examination will test the students’ note taking skills and ability to listen... **Continued in Assessment Rationale below |
Exam Pairings
| Module Code | Module Title | Semester | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Aural exam |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 2 | M | A mock oral that will take place over the course of semester 2. |
| Aural Examination | 2 | M | Mock aural exam - Prior to Easter break. Student will receive feedback at the end of the Easter break |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assessment of oral is performed in a setting that is as close to a real-life professional or academic situation as possible.
The oral and aural mock exams help students assess their progress before the formal examinations take place. Formative feedback will be provided regularly.
* (Continued from above) ...and without any notes other than the printout of their PowerPoint/Prezzi/Keynote presentations. In exceptional circumstances, reasonable adjustments to this rule can be made as part of a student support plan.
** (Continued from above) ...understand and synthesise authentic video sources under time constraints. Reasonable adjustments can be made if required as part of a student support plan.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- SPA4082's Timetable