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SPAN10140

Academic Year 2024/2025

Intensive ab initio Spanish Ia (SPAN10140)

Subject:
Spanish
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Pascale Baker
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This is a high-intensity language module aimed at ab-initio language learners. It is primarily recommended for students wishing to take Spanish to degree level. It is also suitable as an elective for those students who are willing to engage in an intensive study of the language. It seeks to develop independent learners who are prepared to devote 6 hours a week of personal study time outside the classroom focusing on grammar and written and aural skills to complement the 27 hours of class time. It also provides: a) an integrated approach to learning Spanish in which learners are required to actively use the four language skills: writing, reading, speaking and listening in the context of the classroom and to be able to practice writing, reading and listening autonomously, and b) a solid foundation in the grammar of the language. At the end of this module students should have covered most of the key linguistic elements of level A1 of the Common European Framework and be advancing to A2 on the CEFR. They should demonstrate an ability to manage their own learning through the completion of specified learning activities in the classroom and in the exam: written exercises, aural tests, grammar tests. Students who have achieved at least a B grade in this module are deemed to be successfully progressing towards levels A1 to A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference in the competencies of writing, reading and aural comprehension.
PLEASE NOTE that this module focuses on practicing and improving linguistic competence so participation in language classes is essential. Classes focus on the four language skills, and students should devote 6 hours a week autonomously outside the classes in order to achieve the learning outcomes. Exercises for before and after the classes have been set and it is essential that students follow this format to keep up.

AI usage: Amber (you may use generative AI for this assignment for certain purposes only under the guidance of your module coordinator and within academic integrity guidelines).


About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1) Write short descriptive and narrative texts employing an appropriate range of vocabulary to introduce themselves. (Production)

2) Describe people and places, both orally and in writing, and accurately convey basic information about daily routines and everyday activities, orally and in writing. (Production)

3) Engage with basic Spanish aural and written material, measured through class exercises and online tests, and be able to understand their overall meaning and specific details relevant to the contents of this module. (Reception)

4) Communicate in basic interactions in a grammatically accurate way. (Production)

5) Display a precise command of verb morphology (present and perfect preterite and imperfect tenses, verbs like gustar and the imperative). (Production)


Indicative Module Content:

Campus Sur digital e-book (teaching and learning) with hard copy if desired for student learning and work at home

In the first semester we will cover units 1-9. En el semestre 1 cubrirémos las unidades 1-9 (ver índice en libro digital).


Week 7: AUDIOVISUAL TEST TO BE MADE AVAILABLE: supported by technology. Semana 7: Test Audiovisual apoyado por tecnología (30%)


Week 8: Brightspace Test (10%)

Exam Period (week 13 onwards: terminal exam: (60%)


Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

5
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Small Group

24
Tutorial

24
Online Learning

24
Total

147

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Small group tutorials. All timetabled classes are to be conducted in person. Office hours may be conducted online also. The approach is 'hands' on', teacher fronted but with students' active participation required online through Brightspace and students MUST do the precise work set before and after class and listed on Brightspace to keep up. This module models the flipped classroom or 'clase invertida' approach.

Students will be encouraged to practice grammar points/vocabulary in pairs or break-out groups as directed by the tutors. The 3 hours a week class time will be focused on the text book/ digital e-book, as indicated in the module content, but will also incorporate other relevant exercises: tests supported by technology, for example. There will be specified learning activities in the 3 hours class time and to prepare for the exam: written exercises, audio-visual tests, supported by technology. Some of these are graded and some are not. Students will be encouraged to work on their speaking, writing and aural comprehension skills in class and in the 6 hours self study outside class.

AI usage: amber (you may use generative AI for this assignment for certain purposes only under the guidance of your module coordinator and within academic integrity guidelines).

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Minimum of a H4 in Leaving Certificate, or equivalent, in another Modern Language.

Learning Exclusions:

Students with prior studies of Spanish, and attainment of Leaving Certificate Spanish, A-Level or equivalent, are not eligible to take this module.

Learning Recommendations:

If you have taken Spanish for your Leaving Certificate, A-level or equivalent, you cannot register to this module.

We recommend an H3 in Leaving Certificate, or equivalent, in another Modern Language.

Students unsure of their eligibility for this module are urged to consult with the module co-ordinator.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
LANG10230 - Spanish Gen Purp 1, LANG10240 - Spanish Gen Purp 4, LANG10260 - Spanish Gen Purp 2, LANG20470 - Spanish General Purposes 4, LANG20490 - Spanish General Purposes 6, SPAN10010 - Spanish Language I a

Equivalents:
Span Language I a (Beginners) (SPAN10020)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Written exam testing students written and comprehension skills End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No
Exam (In-person): Listening and visual in class exam. Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): Continuous assessment. Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
10
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given on non-graded tests at the discretion of the tutor Individual feedback will be given on graded assignments Feedback may be given to the class, e.g. on a particular grammar point, where appropriate. Students will complete regular take-home tasks/tasks supported by technology on grammar and written compositions throughout the semester and an in-class test in week 8 The audio-visual test in week 10 to be supported by technology. The final exam will take place online.

The set text for the module is: 'Campus Sur', published by Difusión, either the hybrid version with a hard copy book and online environment, or the online version only if you prefer. If you buy the hard copy book you will also get access to the digital environment and the exercise book (cuaderno). Please note that the tutors will be teaching this trimester using the e-book version of Campus Sur, which contains interactive class exercises as well as the textbook and exercises that have been set up on Brightspace.

There is no set grammar text but we recommend that students do buy a grammar book to accompany their studies. Recommended is Batchelor, R. 'A Student Grammar of Spanish', Cambridge UP, 2005 and '¡Exacto! Third Edition, A Practical Guide to Spanish Grammar', Ane Ortega, Tita Beavan, Cecilia Garrido and Sean Scrivener, Routledge, 2018.

Name Role
Dr Pascale Baker Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Lourdes Barquin Sanmartin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Katherine Brown Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Javier Carpes Salar Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Sandra Guerrero Garcia Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Paul McAleer Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Maria Rodríguez Villaumbrales Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Monica Galindo Gonzalez Tutor
María del Milagro Salazar Cerdas Tutor
Mr Julio Sanz Tutor
Leire Sarto Zubiaurre Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Fri 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 10:00 - 10:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 2 Week(s) - 3 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
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