Spanish for Business
| Module title | Spanish for Business |
|---|---|
| Module code | FLS3630 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Ms Ana Leon (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 10 |
|---|
Module description
In this module we will cover a variety of business-related matters associated with social and cultural aspects in Spanish-speaking countries.
The module develops communicative language skills and communication strategies at the C1 level of the Common European Framework for Languages – CEFR, where you will analyse, criticise and summarise the content of written and aural documents on business related topics.
It is based on proficient communicative activities such as reception, production and interaction, and adopts an action-orientated approach of language teaching and learning. You will develop all core language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) in a range of current business-related contexts.
You will be expected to have an interest in using Spanish in business contexts, although no formal prior business study is required. The module is taught entirely in the target language.
Spanish for Business can be taken towards achieving ‘with advanced proficiency in Spanish”, see http://humanities.exeter.ac.uk/flc/undergraduate/proficiency/
Module aims - intentions of the module
Spanish for Business is designed for students with a near proficient level of Spanish who have spent a period of study / work in a country where Spanish is spoken (such as students on a 'with European Study' programme) and/or have completed appropriate Advanced level courses (FLS3415/30, FLS3515/30 and/or FLS3715/30) or equivalent.
Please note that this module is NOT available for native speakers of the language.
On completion of this module, students will have a level equivalent to C1/C1+ (as Exit level) - Proficient User of the Common European Framework for languages, and a knowledge of Spanish for the specific purpose of business. They will be able to:
-
review and consolidate advanced structures and vocabulary of the target language, extending these to cover specifically vocational and business-oriented topics.
-
develop the particular skills required to understand and use written and spoken Spanish as used in general business contexts. The economic terms and concepts developed will be those encountered, for example, in non-specialist but informed publications devoted to current business affairs.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate a consistent grammatical competence of complex language and structures of the target language.
- 2. Read, comprehend and summarise a wide range of demanding, long written and aural texts in most registers on business-related topics in the target language, including articles and reports concerned with business issues in which the writers adopt particular attitudes and viewpoints.
- 3. Communicate confidently, very fluently and precisely in a range of business-related situations, both orally and in writing, and demonstrate the ability to research a specialist business topic, extracting and summarising key information from a range of written and spoken sources, and produce a written portfolio of material to a high professional standard.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate advanced levels of autonomy in language learning, with minimal direction from the teacher.
- 5. Use available learning aids in a variety of media, including a specialist dictionary, to consolidate your learning.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Make an oral presentation on a business-related topic, expanding on and responding to requests for further information from others.
- 7. Work creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team, reacting to situations as appropriate.
- 8. Make progress through developing skills of self-study and application and develop an awareness of and sensitivity to a foreign business culture.
Syllabus plan
The module covers the following grammar and topics:
Main grammar: At this level, you are expected to demonstrate a near native competence in the use of all complex grammatical structures. However, there may be remedial revision of some grammar points as required.
Main topics: At this level, you are expected to follow weekly national and international business-related news in Spanish. This module deals with various aspects of Spanish and Latin American business-related issues:
- The business company: definition, structure and organisation.
- Intercultural awareness: Latin American and Spanish markets
- Entrepreneurship: creating a company
- Employers and employees: recruiting and types of contracts
- Business and labour law
- Commercial activity of the company
- Current economic and social affairs in Latin America and Spain
- The role of Spain in the European Union
- Custom Unions in Europe, US and Latin America: EUCU, NAFTA, MERCOSUR, Andean Community
Please note this list is only indicatiive.
Teaching methods are based on interactive language development tasks, such as pair / group work and role playing, class debates and include the study of longer texts, oral development work and listening comprehension exercises.
You will be expected to spend time studying outside class (between 3-5 hours per week) and we will provide guidance, facilities and materials to help you develop your expertise as a proficient language learner.
For this module, you will be asked to consolidate your class work by learning advanced business 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 (summaries, argumentative essays and research project) and generally acquire a repertoire of effective language learning strategies.
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 such as the In-Class Test, 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 Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | 234 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 66 | Seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 234 | Consolidation class work by learning business related vocabulary and structures and by reading, watching or listening to material from a wide range of sources in Spanish. Prepare exercises and activities for class, write assignments and further develop a repertoire of effective language learning strategies. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 formative tasks per year (grammar and vocabulary, writing, reading and listening comprehension) | Variable | 1-8 | Written and oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | 20 | 15 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Class Test (listening and text reduction) | 25 | 1.5 hours | 1-5,8 | Written |
| Oral Presentation | 15 | 15-20 minutes | 1,3-6,8 | Written |
| Oral Test | 25 | 12-13 minutes | 1,3-6,8 | Written |
| Dossier or magazine | 35 | Consists of different components, including short summaries and an essay (1500 words) in Spanish | 1-6,8 | Written |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-class test (listening and text reduction) | Written examination (25%) | 1-5,8 | Referral/deferral period |
| Oral presentation, oral test | Oral test (40%) | 1, 3-6, 8 | Referral/deferral period |
| Dossier | Dossier | 1-6,8 | Referral/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
- Iriarte, E & Nuñez, Empresa Siglo XXI: el español en el ámbito internacional, Madrid: Edinumen, 2009.
Recommended materials:
- Becker, T., Doing Business in the New Latin America, Praeger, 2004.
- Crane, R. & Rizowy,C., Latin American Business cultures, Pearson, 2005.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Spanish for business section TV, newspapers and radio stations or shows – see recommendations of module convenor.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | Completion of FLS3515/3530 or equivalent |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | February 2017 |
| Last revision date | 29/07/2020 |
