Prospectus

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Spanish - Elementary

Course
2016-2017

Tags

GC, L

Admissions requirements

Spanish – Beginners LUC and/or Level A2 Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Students that do not meet this prerequisite should contact the instructor regarding the required competencies before course allocation.

Description

This course aims to bring beginners up to a standard where they can communicate and understand information and ideas in Spanish. The course is organized around interactive and communicative activities that will allow students to build all skills in the most effective way. Class proceedings will focus on submerging students in real-world Spanish language.

The course aims to develop language skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Grammatical structures and vocabulary will also be integrated into the learning process in meaningful contexts. Furthermore an important aspect of the course will be the cultural knowledge about Spain and Latin America, with a strong emphasis on intercultural communication.

The content of the course is based on coursebooks together with supplementary material prepared by the instructor and significant material on the Internet.

Course objectives

This course aims to develop competency in spoken and written Spanish to a standard that enables the student to communicate effectively and confidently with Spanish native speakers and sustain, to some extent, a work or study placement in a Spanish-speaking country. In terms of the CEFR of the Council of Europe, the student will have reached B1 level, which means “enough language to get by, with sufficient vocabulary to express him/herself with some hesitation and circumlocutions on topics such as family, interests, work, travel, and current events”.

More specifically, the student

  • Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.

  • Can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken.

  • Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.

  • Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans

Timetable

Once available, timetables will be published here.

Mode of instruction

Communication in Spanish will be encouraged from the outset and classes will be conducted primarily in Spanish, enabling students to learn and practice the new grammatical structures and vocabulary covered in each session. In order to develop and consolidate skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, classes will be highly interactive.

Students will often work in pairs or groups to practice their language skills.

During the course, students will give oral presentations about different topics, according to their increasing level of knowledge.

A substantial amount of independent study will be expected: several hours a week should be devoted to Spanish outside the classroom to complete work set by the instructor and practice reading, listening and writing skills.

Assessment

The final grade will be calculated according to the following grade breakdown:

Assessment: In-class participation
Percentage: 17.5%
Deadline: Ongoing

Assessment: Listening Comprehension Exam
Percentage: 17.5%
Deadline: Week 4 – 12 (to be confirmed)

Assessment: Grammar & Vocabulary & Reading Comprehension
Percentage: 35%
Deadline: Week 7 – 14 (to be confirmed)

Assessment: Discussions & presentations
Percentage: 15%
Deadline: Throughout the semester

Assessment: Compositions
Percentage: 15%
Deadline: Week 8 – 16 (to be confirmed) and throughout the semester

Blackboard

There will be a Blackboard site available for this course. Students will be enrolled at least one week before the start of classes.

Reading list

Compulsory Textbooks:

  • Ainciburu, M.C., VÍA RÁPIDA, Curso intensivo de español, Libro del alumno, Difusión, Barcelona, 2011. Libro de Alumno + 2 CD Audio. ISBN:9789460301964

  • Ainciburu, M.C., VÍA RÁPIDA, Cuaderno de Ejercicios, Difusión, Barcelona, 2011. ISBN:9789460301971

  • The Oxford, Collins, or Larousse bilingual dictionary (2008 edition or later)

Students must purchase the course books before the beginning of the course

Registration

This course is open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Registration is coordinated by the Curriculum Coordinator. Interested non-LUC students should contact course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

M.J.Perez-Rodriguez@hum.leidenuniv.nl