Admission requirements
Enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree programme at Leiden University or any other Dutch university.
Prerequisite: Spanish 2 or proof of B1 level (CEFR) recommended
If having B1 level cannot be proven, a placement test in early September (first semester intake) or late January (second semester intake) is recommended before taking this course.
Description
This is the first of four language proficiency courses in Spanish under the Bachelor’s degree programme in Latin American Studies.
Communicative language proficiency course in Spanish in which all skills (reading, writing, listening, spoken production and spoken interaction), including grammar and vocabulary, are integrated. Following the levels and can-do-statements of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), seminars are designed according to the action-based approach and the students´ proficiency is aimed at B2 level. During seminars, all topics will be discussed through written and oral texts, video or audio fragments and role-plays. Students work individually, in pairs or small groups. The students´ active attitude towards preparation for and participation during seminars is crucial in order to be able to meet the learning outcomes of the course.
Course objectives
By the end of the course, students will have achieved the B2 level in the previously mentioned skills according to the CEFR.
This means that at the end of the course the students will be able to:
● understand short lectures and follow complex lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar.
● understand contemporary and short literary prose or personal letters in which emotions are conveyed, the relevance of events or experiences is highlighted, news are discussed and opinions expressed.
● understand cultural reviews and critical acclaims (films, theatre, books, concerts).
● take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining their views.
● interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible without strain for either party.
● present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to their field of interest.
● write a report or a review (e.g. on a short film or book review), relaying information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view.
● write argumentative texts highlighting the personal significance of events and experiences.
More information about LAS Languages objectives, please see here
Timetable
Mode of instruction
Seminars in which an active participation of the students is expected. During the semester, you are required to complete all assignments, during and outside seminar hours, and to check all the topics and activities regardless of them being analyze or not in class.
Course Load
Total Hours for the Course: 280 hours
● Seminar attendance: 78 hours (6 hours per week x 13 weeks); ● Exams attendance: 6 hours; ● Class preparation: 78 hours (6 hours per week x 13 weeks); ● Assignments preparation: 26 hours (2 hours x 13 assignments), ● Exam preparation: 92 hours
Assessment method
Assessment
The assessment method is divided into two: graded and not graded (continuous assessment).
Continuous assessment: participation in class tasks, presentations, homework
Graded assessment: oral exam, listening comprehension exam, written exams (midterm and final) and portfolio.
Continuous assessment:
The progress that the student makes during the semester will be taken into account through continuous assessment. This means that the lecturer will regularly check whether the student duly carries out the assignments and tasks as proposed in class and Blackboard.
At least 80% of the continuous assessment assignments should be submitted before deadline is a prerequisite to have access to the graded exams at the end of the course. A task is considered submitted if it is complete and instructions have been followed.
Graded assessment:
● The oral exam consists of two parts: question-and-answer/interview type and interaction about particular daily or specific situations with another student or the teacher/s. And a listening comprehension test.
● Written exams consist of three parts:
■ Reading Comprehension
■ Grammar and Vocabulary
■ Writing
● The portfolio is a physical file including reading, writing and self-assessment exercises. The student must hand in a draft of each written exercise per week. For participation in the midterm and final (oral and written) exams, handing in the complete portfolio (with all the assignments self-corrected and written tasks modified/rewritten) before deadline is compulsory. Writing tasks submitted late will not be commented upon by the lecturer and the student should ask another person (classmate, friend, etc.) who can correct it so that two versions (original and modified) can be included in the final portfolio file.
Weighing
Oral part (40% of final grade): ● Oral exam: 25% ● Oral presentation in class: 15%
Written part (60% of final grade): ● Midterm exam: 20% ● Final exam: 30% ● Portfolio: 10%
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted grade should be 6 or higher
Resit
The student that did not pass the course (weighted grade lower than 6) is entitled to a risit evaluation. This evaluation will consist of two parts: ● Oral exam (30%): question/answer session. ● Written exam (70%): reading comprehension; grammar and vocabulary; writing assessment.
Exam review
The date of exam review will be announced in Blackboard.
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for:
providing study materials
announcements
Reading list
Gente hoy 3. Libro del alumno. Editorial Difusión. 2015 or later
Gente hoy 3. Libro de trabajo. Editorial Difusión. 2015. or later
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available in Engels and Nederlands
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable
Contact
For questions about the content of the course, you can contact the teacher:
Administrations Office: van Wijkplaats
Remarks
Minimum 80% attendance required. Students who do not meet this requirement will not take the exams.