FLS3430 - Spanish Advanced One

2022/3 Module description

StaffMr Christopher Day - Convenor
Credit Value30
ECTS Value15
NQF Level6
Pre-requisitesCompletion of FLS2330 Spanish Intermediate Two, FLS2430 Spanish Intermediate Fast-Track, or A-level in Spanish (A*-B) or equivalent
Co-requisitesNone
Duration of Module Term 1: 11 weeks; Term 2: 11 weeks;

Module description

Spanish Advanced 1 is intended for students who have successfully completed FLS2330 Spanish Intermediate 2, FLS2430 Spanish Intermediate Fast-Track, or who have a level broadly of A level (Grade A*-B) or equivalent. The module develops all four core language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, as well as advanced grammatical structures of Spanish in a communicative context. The module is taught mostly in Spanish.

This module will develop your vocabulary and communication skills for both every day and academic situations required for working or studying abroad. The exit level is broadly equivalent to the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Spanish Advanced One can be taken towards achieving ‘with advanced proficiency in Spanish”, see http://humanities.exeter.ac.uk/flc/undergraduate/proficiency/

Module aims

On completion of this module, you will be at the level of B2 – Independent User of the Common European Framework for Languages, and be able to:

  • Review and consolidate the advanced structures of the target language, developing both vocabulary and range of language structures thus equipping you with the linguistic tools to enable you to communicate effectively in everyday and academic situations
  • Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without much strain and produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options
  • Further develop and embed active and passive language skills, including comprehension skills in listening and reading, with particular emphasis placed on the skills necessary for effective oral and written communication in the target language at an advanced level
  • Build on knowledge of the sociocultural aspects of the regions/countries in which the language is spoken and continue to develop transferable and intercultural skills necessary for studying and/or working abroad in a Spanish-speaking country

ILO: Module-specific skills

  • 1. Demonstrate competence in the use of advanced grammatical structures of the target language
  • 2. Read and comprehend a wide range of demanding, longer written and aural texts on both concrete and abstract topics in the target language, including articles and reports concerned with contemporary problems in which the writers adopt particular attitudes and viewpoints
  • 3. Communicate fluently and spontaneously, both orally and in writing, and use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes and produce clear, well-structured written text on complex subjects, expressing points of view at some length

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

  • 4. Demonstrate increased autonomy in language learning, with reduced direction from the teacher
  • 5. Combine available learning aids in a variety of media to class notes and material, including an advanced reference grammar and specialist dictionary, to consolidate your learning

ILO: Personal and key skills

  • 6. Work creatively and flexibly, react and adapt to situations as appropriate and solve problem
  • 7. Indicate developing skills of self-study and their application and awareness of and sensitivity to the foreign culture

Syllabus plan

The module provides a systematic approach to acquiring advanced grammar structures in a communicative context and in accordance with the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

Main grammar (non-exhaustive):

  • Revision of B1 grammar points
  • Contrast of past tenses
  • Present Subjunctive
  • Imperfect Subjuntive
  • Perfect Subjuntive
  • Relative clauses
  • Verbal periphrasis: dejar de, ponerse a, volver a, etc.
  • Verbs of change: quedarse, ponerse, volverse, hacerse, llegar a ser, convertirse en
  • Complex uses of ser and estar
  • Passive voice and uses of se
  • Reported speech

Main topics:

  • Identities
  • Health
  • Work
  • Arts
  • Ecology and global engagement

Teaching methods are based on interactive language development tasks, such as pair / group work, and include the study of texts with comprehension exercises, oral development work and listening comprehension exercises.

You will be expected to spend time studying outside the class (between 3-5 hours per week) and we provide guidance, facilities and materials to help you develop your expertise as an independent language learner.

For this module, you will be asked to consolidate your class work by learning vocabulary and structures, and by reading, watching or listening to material in Spanish. You will also be expected to complete exercises on a self-study basis, prepare exercises and activities for the class, write assignments and generally acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies (such as proofreading, self-editing and self-correcting).

You will receive regular feedback on your progress from class activities, homework assignments and formative assessment tasks. You will also receive formal feedback on summative assessments, including suggestions on how to improve and identify your own strategies for improvement.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
662340

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching66Language classes
Guided independent study234Consolidation of class work by learning vocabulary and structures and by reading, watching or listening to material in Spanish

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
4 formative tasks covering some or all of the following areas: grammar, writing, listening, reading, speaking.Variable1-7Written and oral

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
502525

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Portfolio50As described on the ELE page 1-7Written and oral
Written Exam251.5 hours1-7Written and oral
Oral Exam2510-12 minutes1, 3-7Written and oral

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
PortfolioPortfolio1-7Referral/Deferral period
Written ExamWritten Exam1-7Referral/Deferral period
Oral ExamOral Exam1, 3-7Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – If you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

You will only be required to retake any failed assessments. Marks for any passed assessments will be carried forward. If you have failed any assessments but managed to pass the module overall, you will not be allowed to retake the failed assessments.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

  • Nuevo Prisma Curso de español para extranjeros B2 + CD (Madrid: Edinumen, 2015), ISBN 9788498486414.
  • Nuevo Prisma Curso de español para extranjeros B2 , Libro de ejercicios  (Madrid:Edinumen, 2015), ISBN 9788498486438

Module has an active ELE page?

Yes

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

2010

Last revision date

29/07/2020

Key words search

Spanish, advanced

Important please note

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the module descriptors for the Online Module Selection process, please be aware that on rare occasions it may be necessary to remove proposed modules for reasons beyond our control. In addition, there are still some new modules going through the accreditation process. These will be offered in due course by the relevant discipline.

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Foreign Language Centre modules

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