A module in Spanish language and culture for students who have completed Level 4 or equivalent
Module details
- Offered to Year 2, Year 3, & Year 4
- Monday or Thursday, 16.00-18.00 (depending on year of study)
- Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
- Two-term module, worth 7.5 ECTS
- Available to eligible students as part of I-Explore
- Extra Credit, or Degree Credit where your department allows
Spanish advice
Contact the assistant coordinator:
Almudena Sanchez-Villen
(Student office hours: Mondays and Tuesdays. Any other days by appointment only)
Room S307, Sherfield Level 3
Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication
A communicative module, providing a base for the study of contemporary Spain, social and demographic trends, cultural and economic issues, science and technology.
This module is intended for students in their second year of Spanish study post A level, or in their third year post AS level.
This module aims to:
- further students' competence in the command of complex grammatical structures and vocabulary;
- examine various types of discourse and linguistic function;
- develop students' ability to present scientific/ technical topics to an audience confidently;
- introduce a range of current political, historical, and economic issues.
By the end of the module, students should have reached approximately the B2/C1 standard of the CEFR.
To be eligible for this module, you need to have done one of the following:
- Successfully completed Spanish Level 4
- Already achieved B2 or equivalent on the CEFR.
Download a table of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels (PDF).
This module is not intended for native or near-native speakers.
Please note: The information on this module description is indicative. The module may undergo minor modifications before the start of next academic year.
Information blocks
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
- comprehend extended native speech with ease, identifying details of complex arguments and recognising culturally relevant meanings;
- interact fluently, spontaneously and accurately in Spanish in a variety of social and professional contexts producing a natural flow of language and adapting to the needs of the communicative context;
- critique and react to a broad range of written productions in terms of content and style, including formal academic and sophisticated creative works, and write detailed, well-structured texts on a wide range of complex subjects, registers and styles, applying sophisticated linguistic structures from the CEFR-C1 range (Common European Framework of Reference, proficiency);
- demonstrate an understanding of the target cultures by comparing cultural and socio-political practices and perspectives and by relating these to your own background and contexts of practice;
- demonstrate the ability to learn independently using a range of digital language learning tools to tackle sophisticated linguistic material and identify relevant sources to support your research.
In this module, you will:
- consolidate relevant advanced linguistic structures;
- explore the style and register of various discourse types, identifying their purpose and function in practical situations;
- read and analyse texts (including texts relating to your main field of study);
- write and present data in a variety of formats;
- debate, critique or report on current affairs.
Language work will be contextualised within a varied range of topics related to contemporary Spain, ranging from:
- social and demographic trends;
- cultural and economic issues;
- scientific and technological developments.
In line with MFL communicative and active learning methodology, in-class activities cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and include: Pair work (dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion and collection of key terms/ ideas followed by report to plenum); group work (discussion, creation of posters); individual tasks, such as presentations (with PowerPoint, as well as video, uploaded to the Virtual Learning Environment); discovery and formulation of rules; critical evaluation of texts, audio and video material.
Homework and coursework tasks give you the tools required to participate in class and the opportunity to revise and consolidate knowledge and skills while developing an awareness of how to use language-learning tools efficiently. This approach not only ensures you engage with a wide range of tasks, but also supports different learning styles.
Your coursework will be marked and returned within two weeks. Rubrics and revision guidance (how-to guides) will be included as needed with each coursework. You will receive detailed feedback alongside suggestions for improvement and an overall percentage showing your provisional grade for that assessment.
The module includes formative as well as summative assessment. Homework tasks (theory revision, reading, writing, listening, etc) are set every week on the Virtual Learning Environment, following a flipped-classroom approach to ensure face to face time is devoted to interactional learning and communicative skills acquisition. This means that you will be provided with materials to study independently beforehand and then apply these during classroom time. Your lecturer will provide you with support materials and guidance to reinforce topics covered at your own pace.
You will need to complete two pieces of summative coursework (set during mid-autumn and mid-spring term) which will include rubrics and revision guidance to ensure you are supported when completing your work, and so that you are aware of the assessment expectations. There will also be a 1-hour in-class examination (scheduled at the end of the spring term), and one practical - in the form of an oral examination (at the end of the spring term or during the summer term). The coursework, examination and practical contribute to your final grade.
- Coursework (20%): Research based essay and data discussion, in mid-autumn term (c. 400 words).
- Coursework (20%): Recorded presentation/ podcast, in mid-spring term (8-10 minutes).
- Examination (30%): In-class test, run on the Virtual Learning Environment (Bring Your Own Device). This 1-hour test will take place at the end of spring term. Writing task (min. 450 words).
- Practical (30%): Oral exam, in the summer term, including presentation/ commentary on dossier and unprepared discussion (approx. 25 minutes).
Assessment information for students on a course with a year abroad
- 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
- Available to take for credit towards your degree, where your department allows. Also available for extra credit. The Module options by department page has a full list of the credit options.
- You must be prepared to attend all classes and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.
Support materials
- Gramática de uso del español. Teoría y práctica. Nivel superior (C1-C2) by Luis Aragonés & Ramón Palencia, SM, 2010, ISBN: 978-84-675-2109-2.
- Developing writing skills in Spanish by Javier Muñoz-Basols et al, Routledge, 2012, ISBN: 0415590833.
Additional audiovisual materials (i.e. films, TV programmes) on specific topics will be provided when required and a short list of relevant books will also be made available in the Library for consultation. Extra support materials will be provided through Blackboard.
Further information
Further information for Year Abroad/Year in Europe Students
Further information for BSc Hons and MSc Language for Science Degrees
"A very enjoyable module. It was the perfect learning experience that acted as an escape from my main degree. There was a good balance between grammar and speaking in class on different topics."