SPAN10150 Intensive ab initio Spanish Ib

Academic Year 2022/2023

This is a high-intensity language module aimed at learners who have already consolidated level A1 of the Common European Framework. 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 continue an intensive study of the language. Students from the Languages Connect/ Languages For All strand are welcome to enrol.
This accelerated module aims at providing learners with the basic competence in the language to be able to undertake the study of literary works in Spanish. It seeks to develop independent learners who are prepared to devote a considerable amount of personal study time outside the classroom, while it also provides: a) an integrated approach to learning Spanish in which learners are required to actively use the four language skills in the context of the classroom and autonomously, and b) a solid foundation in the grammar of the language. An Oral Exam will take place in week 13. At the end of this module students should have covered the key elements of level A2 of the European Framework, and will have previewed elements of B1. Students who have achieved at least a B grade in this module are deemed to be successfully progressing towards level A2 of the Common European Frame of Reference.

PLEASE NOTE: since this module focuses on practising and improving linguistic competence, attendance at, and participation in, language classes is of crucial importance. Classes are delivered synchronously, according to the UCD teaching timetable. In addition to the online classes, students should devote 6 hours a week to autonomous study, in order to achieve the learning outcomes.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

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

- write descriptive and narrative written texts articulating, in present and past tenses, basic storylines related to everyday topics with a precise control of grammatical accuracy. (Production)

- engage with selected aural and written materials by showing an understanding of their overall meaning and specific details relevant to the contents of this module. (Reception)

- accurately employ an appropriate range of vocabulary in narrating simple events and circumstances and expressing opinions about everyday topics, in oral and written communication. (Production)

- display a precise command of verb morphology (present, past, imperative, subjunctive, future, conditional) and sentence structure in Spanish. (Production)

- demonstrate an ability to manage their own learning through the completion of specified learning activities. (Reception and Production)

Indicative Module Content:

By the end of the module, you are expected to have assimilated all the contents of the textbook, 'Aula International 2, Curso de español: A2 (Nueva Edición)'.

As a general guide, we cover one chapter (or 'unit') of Aula 2 each week. Additionally there will be some in-class tasks set and some at-home 'tareas' to complete, both graded and ungraded'. In week 7, there will be the 40-minute Class Test.

Below is a skeleton of the grammar you are expected to have absorbed by the end of the module. See the Más Gramática section, at the end of Aula 2, and refer to Batchelor for a more structured account. Also at your disposal are the Self-Study Materials on Brightspace.

You should also aim to learn as much of the vocabulary in Aula A2 as possible, grouping it in your mind according to the core thematic areas.

Verbs (regular, irregular, reflexive, verbs which are ‘radical changing’, verbs ending in -cer):
• Present tense
• Present continuous (estoy estudiando etc)
• Perfect tense (and its usage)
• Preterite tense (and its usage)
• Imperfect
• The (positive) imperative mood
• Past continuous (estaba estudiando)
• Present Subjunctive (and its usage)
• Future and conditional
•
Ser vs Estar
Verbs often used in a ‘back-to-front’ way: me gusta, me encanta, me cuesta, me parece, me duele, me cae bien/mal
Impersonal use of ‘se’ wih verbs
Sentirse + adjective
Expresions of duration: Hace 3 meses que estudio español.
Constructions: ir a hacer algo; empezar a hacer algo, tener que hacer algo

Nouns, pluralization of
Adjectives, and adjectives of nationality: agreement of adjectives
Comparative adjectives: mejor, peor, mayor
Comparisons: tan + adj + como; tanto + noun + como, etc
Use of lo + adjective
Este, esta, estos, ese, esa, esos
Exclamatory phrases
Prepositions: debajo de, etc
Expressions of time and frequency; dates, numbers, seasons
Possessives: weak and strong varieties: mi, el mío
Por vs para

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

33
Specified Learning Activities

15
Autonomous Student Learning

62
Total

110
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Small group teaching. The approach is fundamentally participative with students encouraged to practise grammar points/vocabulary in pairs or groups. The 3 hours a week class time will be focused on the text book, as indicated in the module content, but may also incorporate other relevant exercises: online tests for example, which are listed on Brightspace. There will be specified learning activities in class and, to prepare for the exam, written exercises, aural tests, grammar tests will be tackled. Some of these are graded, some not. Students will be encouraged to work on their speaking, writing and aural comprehension skills, both in and beyond the classroom. This module will place additional emphasis on spoken skills. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

An accurate knowledge of the basics of Spanish grammar such as is provided in the Autumn 'ab initio' module SPAN 10140.

Learning Exclusions:

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

Learning Recommendations:

Students who have not followed the 'ab initio' module SPAN10140 in Autumn are advised that SPAN10150 is a continuation module, and assumes an accurate knowledge of the basics of Spanish grammar. Any student contemplating taking this module who is unsure of possessing the necessary linguistic preparation should consult with the module co-ordinator. Students who failed SPAN 10140 are not advised to take this module.



Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
LANG10230 - Spanish Gen Purp 1, LANG10240 - Spanish Gen Purp 4, LANG10260 - Spanish Gen Purp 2, LANG20030 - Spanish Gen Purp 3, LANG20100 - Spanish Gen Purp 5, LANG20470 - Spanish General Purposes 4, LANG20490 - Spanish General Purposes 6, SPAN10010 - Spanish Language I a, SPAN10050 - Spanish Language I b

Equivalents:
Span Language I b (Beginners) (SPAN10060)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: 2-hour closed-book written exam in the centrally-scheduled exam period. This will test the main grammar areas studied and involve a written composition at the end. 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

40
Continuous Assessment: Regular assignments to increase competence in writing in Spanish. Some assignments or 'tareas' will be focused on grammar and others on writing short compositions. Some will be graded and others not. Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

10
Class Test: AV test Unspecified n/a Graded No

15
Class Test: 40-minute in-class closed-book written test, prior to the two-week teaching break, which focuses on the grammar points covered so far, in preparation for the end-of-trimester exam. Week 7 n/a Graded No

15
Oral Examination: 10-minute oral in week 13. An online interview involving some prepared and some spontaneous interaction with two examiners. Unspecified n/a Graded No

20

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn 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 tasks throughout the semester in preparation for the in-class test in week 7 and Oral in week 13.

The set text for the module is: 'Aula International 2, Curso de español: A2 (Nueva Edición)', published by Difusión, 2013.

There is no set grammar text, but we recommend that students buy a grammar book to accompany their studies. Recommended: Batchelor, R. 'A Student Grammar of Spanish', Cambridge UP, 2005.
Name Role
Mariama Alves Tutor
Mr Julio Sanz Tutor