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Spanish - Beginners

Vak
2025-2026

Admission requirements

None.

If the student has taken a Spanish course before (months, weeks, years), it is important that they take a level test to determine their proficiency, as this course is designed only for learning Spanish from the basics.

Description

This course is organized around interactive and communicative activities that will enable students to develop all language skills in the most effective way. Class sessions will focus on immersing students in real-world Spanish usage.

Grammatical structures and vocabulary will also be integrated into the learning process through meaningful contexts.

Furthermore, an important aspect of the course will be the acquisition of cultural knowledge about Spain and Latin America, with a strong emphasis on intercultural communication.

Course Objectives

In terms of the CEFR of the Council of Europe, by the end of this course students will have reached the A2 level:

  • Listening comprehension:
    Understands common phrases and vocabulary related to personal topics (basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can grasp the main idea in short, clear, and simple messages and announcements.

  • Reading comprehension:
    Can read very short and simple texts. Is able to find specific, predictable information in everyday materials such as advertisements, brochures, menus, and timetables. Understands short personal letters.

  • Spoken interaction:
    Can communicate in simple, routine tasks requiring a basic exchange of information on familiar topics. Can engage in very short social exchanges, though generally cannot sustain a conversation independently.

  • Spoken production:
    Uses a range of simple phrases and sentences to describe family, living conditions, education, and current or most recent job.

  • Written production:
    Can write brief, simple notes and messages related to immediate needs. Can write short personal letters, postcards, or emails.

Timetable

Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2025-2026 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.

Mode of instruction

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

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

Assessment Method

Assessment will be a combination of written and spoken assignments and exams.

Assessment: In-class participation
Percentage: 10% ( 5% homework,5% In class participation)
Deadline: Ongoing

Block 1

  • Assessment: Quiz Grammar & vocabulary in class

    • Percentage: 5 %
    • Deadline: Week 4 (to be confirmed)
  • Assessments: Listening Comprehension Exam

    • Percentage: 10 %
    • Week 5 (to be confirmed)
  • Assessments: Written Composition

    • Percentage: 5%
    • Deadline: Week 5 (to be confirmed)
  • Assessment: Oral presentation

    • Percentage: 10 %
    • Deadline: Week 7 (to be confirmed)
  • Assessment: Midterm exam

    • Percentage: 15 %
    • Deadline: Week 7 (to be confirmed)

Block 2

  • Assessment: Quiz Grammar & vocabulary in class

    • Percentage: 5 %
    • Deadline: Week 4 (to be confirmed)
  • Assessment: Listening Comprehension Exam

    • Percentage: 10 %
    • Deadline: Week 5 (to be confirmed)
  • Assessment: Written Composition

    • Percentage: 5%
    • Deadline: Week 5 (to be confirmed)
  • Assessment: Oral exam

    • Percentage: 10 %
    • Deadline: Week 7 (to be confirmed)
  • Assessment: Final exam

    • Percentage: 15 %
    • Deadline: Week 7 (to be confirmed)

Reading list

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

Registration

Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

Blanca Barrientos MA, p.b.barrientos.loayza@hum.leidenuniv.nl

María José Perez Rodríguez MA, M.J.Perez-Rodriguez@hum.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks

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