Spanish Language, Written and Oral
| Module title | Spanish Language, Written and Oral |
|---|---|
| Module code | MLS2001 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Dr Loreto Romero (Convenor) Dr Jessica Hagley (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 120 |
|---|
Module description
This course will advance your Spanish language proficiency, building on your completion of MLS1001 or an equivalent. In MLS2001, you'll sharpen your listening and reading comprehension, develop more sophisticated speaking and writing abilities, and master complex grammatical structures. Immerse yourself in contemporary Spanish and Latin American culture while expanding your practical vocabulary for living and working abroad. By the end of this course, you'll possess the advanced language tools needed to communicate confidently across diverse Spanish-speaking environments.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to:
• Increase your understanding of the target language in both its written and spoken forms
• Improve capacity for self-expression in Spanish
• Instil habits of accuracy and correctness of expression
• Develop an in-depth knowledge of the uses of the Subjunctive versus the Indicative in all the subordinate clauses
Written work consists of translation from Spanish into English together with a variety of reading comprehension and compositional exercises. Oral work includes group debates, vocabulary expansion and a media project.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Apply knowledge of a broad range of grammatical features of the target language to a variety of linguistic tasks
- 2. Translate passages from a variety of authentic written sources into the target language
- 3. Present a detailed argument in written Spanish in answer to essay questions on a range of topics
- 4. Engage in discussion of a range of (mainly contemporary) topics in oral Spanish, articulating your own opinions and responding to the opinions of others
- 5. Give short oral presentations in the target language on a defined topic to a small group of listeners and engage in group discussion and debate on the topic presented
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Recognise and understand core linguistic terminology individually and as part of a group
- 7. Use bilingual and a monolingual dictionaries to get information about meaning, register, usage and grammatical forms
- 8. Engage, under guidance, with the Spanish language printed and online media
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 9. Communicate competently in Spanish
- 10. Express and discuss views in front of a group of listeners
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
• Spanish reading and listening comprehension in the target language
• Grammar knowledge and writing skills, particularly uses of the Subjunctive mode versus the Indicative in complex sentences
• Translation into English
• Oral expression
• Employability skills, such as CVs or job interviews
• A range of topics directly related to current Spanish and Latin-American affairs
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 | 22 | Seminar 1 (Translation into English) will equip you with the versatile skills needed to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of modern translation. Through hands-on experience with a wide array of real-world texts and media, you will develop advanced translation techniques and critical analysis skills. By engaging with various genres and formats, including digital and audiovisual content, you will gain practical experience in addressing the unique demands of contemporary translation scenarios. By the end of the year, you will possess robust strategies for effective cross-cultural communication in todays interconnected world. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Seminar 2 (Grammar, Reading and Writing) is designed to strengthen your current linguistic abilities and knowledge, particularly of complex grammatical structures while introducing advanced grammar and rule exceptions. Through a series of interconnected tasks, you will strengthen your grammatical awareness while significantly enhancing your reading comprehension skills and written expression, both in formal and informal registers. By the end of the year, you will have a solid command of Spanish grammar at your disposal. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 22 | Practical seminars are designed to enhance your listening comprehension and oral expression skills while leveraging your critical thinking abilities. Throughout the course, you will apply linguistic structures and expand your vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions. This seminar will equip you with advanced language skills necessary to present, discuss, and debate a wide range of cultural, social, and political topics. By engaging with diverse subject matters, you'll develop greater fluency and confidence in your Spanish communication abilities. |
| Guided Independent Study | 234 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 formative tasks covering some or all of the following areas: Grammar, writing, listening, reading, speaking, translation. | Variable | 1-10 | Written and oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 25 | 25 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 50 | As described on the ELE page | 1-10 | Written and oral |
| Written Exam | 25 | 1 hour | 1-2, 7-8 | Group written feedback, with individual oral feedback on request |
| Oral Exam | 25 | 20 minutes | 1, 4-6, 8-10 | Oral |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio (As described on the ELE page) | Portfolio (50%) | 1-10 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Written Exam (1 hour) | Written Exam (25%) | 1-2, 7-8 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Oral Exam (20 minutes) | Oral Exam (25%) | 1, 4-6, 8-10 | 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
Basic reading:
The textbook for this module is Más, published by McGraw Hill. The university provides access to both the textbook and McGraw Hill's digital platform, Connect. You'll complete a series of weekly activities on Connect to reinforce your learning. All other materials, for example translation materials, will be made available through ELE.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
- ELE –
- Cervantes institute: www.cervantes.es
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
• Regular showings of Spanish and Latino American films during the year
• Comprehensive audiovisual section in the library
• Set of resources also for developing language skills at the Language Centre
Key words search
Spanish, language, written, oral, Latin-America, Spain
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | MLS1001 or equivalent |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/01/1998 |
| Last revision date | 18/02/2025 |
