Code 15729
Level of study First Year
Credit value 10
Semester Across both
Pre-requisite modules 15728 or equivalent
Other pre-requisites Free standing module
Content:
1. Structures
Revision of all tenses
Revision of all personal pronouns
Further uses of the subjunctive
Linking words
Reported speech
Use of definite and indefinite articles
Relative pronouns
Further uses of se
Numerals and percentages
Further uses of ser & estar
2. Language Functions
Communicate easily and with confidence in a Spanish-speaking environment.
Understand and appreciate spoken and written Spanish from a variety of sources and registers including colloquial, informative and literary.
Seek and convey information, report and express ideas and feelings and various modes such as conversation, discussion, personal and analytical writing.
Understand the cultures of Spain and Latin America.
Discuss current issues in Spanish-speaking countries.
3. Cultural Content
The course will foster contrastive analysis of sociocultural aspects of Spanish and British cultures, focusing upon five Areas of modern Spanish life.
The role of women: the topic will be viewed from a contemporary perspective and students will be encouraged to reflect on the changes that have taken place in the role of women in society between 1989 and 2000.Advertising: analysis of the impact of the media in the Spanish speaking world. Focusing upon the history of advertising
on television and in the press, consideration will be given to the type of language required to reach a variety of audiences.
Leisure : different aspects of the Spanish “leisure” culture will be reviewed. Consideration of such areas as food and travel will allow analysis of the impact of modernisation on society and resultant changes in habits and behaviour.
Environment: students will look at actual environmental issues that are particularly pertinent to Spain. Consideration will be given to the origins of the environmental movement and the work of Greenpeace in Spain.
The Hispanic world: focusing upon fiestas and their historical/ cultural origins, this topic will provide the opportunity to consider myths and stereotypes and the means to begin to break down the barriers that they create.
By the end of the module you should be able to:deal with a wide range of unpredictable activities in listening, speaking, reading and writing
show understanding of complex spoken language in a wide variety of contexts
extract and apply information from an extensive range of written sources
discuss detailed information, complex ideas and opinions
communicate freely and effectively in writing
display knowledge of cultural contexts and conventions appropriate to language use at this level.
Practical language classes involving both whole-group and small group/pair work activities, with emphasis on communicative settings, use of visual aids and audio/video recording and the Internet. Language laboratories may be used where appropriate