Learning outcomes

Communicative skills

  • Understand, summarize, and communicate information effectively, both in writing and orally
  • Express opinions clearly and support them with arguments
  • Give an oral presentation on a current topic and lead a debate
  • Produce a podcast on a current issue


Listening comprehension

  • Understand the main points of an audiovisual document (topics covered in class or similar).
  • Grasp the essential content of podcasts, radio or television programs on current events, topics covered in class (or similar), or on subjects of personal interest or relevance to the learner.


Reading comprehension

  • Understand texts written in everyday language (current events, topics covered in class or similar, or subjects of personal interest to the learner).


Oral production (individual and interactive)

  • Reliably convey detailed information
  • Develop a clear argument, expanding and supporting views with relevant arguments and examples
  • Present a logical sequence of arguments
  • Explain a viewpoint on a current issue or matter of personal interest, giving the advantages and disadvantages of different options
  • Deliver a clear, prepared presentation, giving reasons for or against a particular point of view and presenting the advantages and disadvantages of different options
  • Handle a series of questions (after the presentation) with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that does not create tension for the audience or oneself


Goals

Since Master’s level Spanish courses do not start at the “beginner” level, Master’s students who have never studied Spanish will not be able to enroll in these courses. However, they will have the possibility to take the beginner’s course offered at the Bachelor’s level (EELV B196).


The course is designed to consolidate previously acquired language foundations in order to communicate effectively. Specifically, it aims to develop communication and comprehension skills so that students are able to interact on topics related to current events and personal interests.

 

 

Content

See course programme on WebCampus.

Table of contents

See course programme on WebCampus.

Exercices

See WebCampus.

Teaching methods

The course is held in person and in small groups, in the form of interactive seminars conducted in Spanish. The focus is on oral production. Regular attendance is therefore essential and necessary in order to make progress.


The objectives and activities are designed in line with the philosophy of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Language communication is developed by taking into account linguistic competences (lexis, syntax, phonology), sociolinguistic competences (markers of social relations, rules of politeness, etc.), and pragmatic competences (organization, adaptation, discourse structure).


Particular attention is given to the student’s workload, namely the balance between in-class hours and the course credits awarded. One-fifth of the course credits will be completed in person with the instructor, while the remaining hours/credits will be completed remotely via the Webcampus platform (1 credit = 30 hours of study/coursework).

Assessment method

The final grade for the course is calculated as follows:


Continuous assessment (50%)

  • Portfolio including preparatory documents for presentations – 10%
  • Oral presentations with debates – 20%
  • Podcasts related to the presentations – 20%


January exam (50%)

  • Test on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation – 30%
  • Oral exam – 20%


Failure to attend or obtain a grade in any part of the exam or continuous assessment will result in a failure or absence grade for the overall evaluation.


Resit session: Any student who obtains a final grade lower than 10/20 in January will be required to retake the part(s) for which they scored below 10/20, namely: language skills (30%), oral production (60%), and/or the portfolio (10%).


As in January, failure to attend or obtain a grade in any part will result in a failure or absence grade for the overall evaluation.

In the event of a second failure, the entire assessment must be retaken the following academic year; no partial exemption (grade transfer) from one academic year to the next will be granted.


Important note: Passing this course unit is not certifying, i.e., it does not certify that the student has reached any particular CEFR level.

Sources, references and any support material

Course materials (available at the reprography service):


  • Gramática básica del estudiante de español A1-B2, nueva edición revisada, R.A. Raya, Difusión, 2021.
  • Course materials available on Webcampus.


Language of instruction

Spanish