Introductory description

N/A

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Classes integrate listening, speaking, reading and writing – with an emphasis on form by
targeting some essential structures for intensive practice within a communicative context.
Students will also practice some elementary translation. All these activities will entail students´ self-study
to broaden vocabulary and aural understanding.
Every week, students will learn grammar, vocabulary and functional aspects of Spanish. They will have
several activities in the classroom and through VLE, to improve their understanding of the language and
their performance through practice of oral, listening and writing exercises. Below it is the description of
grammar, vocabulary and functional aspects of the language, which will be covered in this module:

1. Pronunciation, alphabet, introducing oneself, regular conjugations.
2. Subject pronouns, definite and indefinite articles, numbers, conjunctions, colours and adjectives.
3. Gender and number of nouns, demonstrative and possessive adjectives, uses of ser and estar.
4. Reflexive verbs and pronouns, adjectives of origin and numerals.
5. Adverbs of location, verbs of motion and prepositions, estar + gerund, easy irregular present
   tenses.
6. Verb gustar and other verbs with similar conjugation pattern (interesar, doler, encantar).
7. Interrogative pronouns, radical changing present tense verbs and intonation.
8. Direct and indirect object pronouns.
9. Possessive adjectives and pronouns, demonstrative pronouns
10. Comparatives and superlatives.
11. Irregular verbs in present tense.
12. The infinitive, days of week/seasons/months, temporal markers and perfect tense.
13. Exclamations, comparatives and conjunctions.
14. Preterite tenses: Indefinido and perfecto, preterite temporal expressions (hace + time, desde/hace

• time).

1. Contrast between preterite tenses (indefinido and perfecto).
2. Introduction to imperatives and instructions, tener/hay que
3. Exclamations of surprise and joy. Verb ir + a + infinitive (near future).
4. Verb poder + infinitive.
5. Adverbs of time.
6. Future tense, temporal expressions in the future.
7. Accentuation and punctuation.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• demonstrate individual skills in writing and reading in Spanish, and initial cross-lingual awareness through translation.
• single out and discuss, when necessary, specific problems of grammar and syntax
• demonstrate familiarity with different language variations and register
• demonstrate a strong command of basic structures of Spanish grammar and their use in various contexts
• demonstrate competence in different registers
• demonstrate skills of oral communication over a wide range of topics
• identify and discuss intercultural awareness in the Hispanic context and Spanish-English-speaking contexts

Indicative reading list

Course textbooks:

• Gramática de uso del español. Teoría y práctica. A1-A2 (SM-Ele)

View reading list on Talis Aspire

International

All modules delivered in SMLC are necessarily international. Students engage with themes and ideas from a culture other than that of the UK and employ their linguistic skills in the analysis of primary materials from a non-Anglophone context. Students will also be encouraged to draw on the experiences of visiting exchange students in the classroom and will frequently engage with theoretical and critical frameworks from across the world.

Subject specific skills

This module will develop students’ linguistic skills through engaging with primary materials in the target language. It will build students’ capacity to engage with aspects of Hispanic culture through analysis of this primary material and through seminar discussion aimed at deeper critical thinking. In particular, students’ awareness of the modern Spanish language will be enhanced through lectures and seminars which engage in scholarship in the field.

Transferable skills

All SMLC language modules demand critical and analytical engagement with artefacts from target-language cultures. In the course of independent study, class work and assessment students will develop the following skills: written and oral communication, creative and critical thinking, problem solving and analysis, time management and organisation, independent research in both English and their target language(s), intercultural understanding and the ability to mediate between languages and cultures, ICT literacy in both English and the target language(s), personal responsibility and the exercise of initiative.