Prospectus

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Spanish 1 Beginners

Course
2013-2014

Admission requirements

This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies.

Description

This is a language course for beginners, and has a communicative approach. Attention will be paid to the use of the language in practical everyday situations. The course is going to be divided into lecture and practical classes. The focus will be on listening, speaking, reading, and writing. For this purpose, vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and the most important standard phrases will be taught as the key elements of this course.

Course objectives

(Audio)visual reception (reading), A2:

  • Can understand basic types of standard routine letters and faxes (enquiries, orders, letters of confirmation etc.) on familiar topics.

  • Can understand short, simple texts containing the highest frequency vocabulary, including a proportion of shared international vocabulary items.

  • Can understand basic types of standard routine letters and faxes (enquiries, orders, letters of confirmation etc.) on familiar topics.

  • Can understand short simple personal letters.

  • Can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus, reference lists and timetables.

  • Can locate specific information in lists and isolate the information required (e.g. use the ‘Yellow Pages’ to find a service or tradesman).

  • Can understand everyday signs and notices: in public places, such as streets, restaurants, railway stations; in workplaces, such as directions, instructions, hazard warnings.

  • Can identify specific information in simpler written material he/she encounters such as letters, brochures and short newspaper articles describing events.

  • Can understand regulations, for example safety, when expressed in simple language.

  • Can understand simple instructions on equipment encountered in everyday life – such as a public telephone.

  • Can identify the main point of TV news items reporting events, accidents etc. where the visual supports the commentary.

  • Can follow changes of topic of factual TV news items, and form an idea of the main content.

Written production (writing), A1:

  • Can write simple phrases and sentences about themselves and imaginary people, where they live and what they do.

Aural reception (listening, A1:

  • Can follow speech which is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses for him/her to assimilate meaning.

  • Can understand instructions addressed carefully and slowly to him/her and follow short, simple directions.

Oral prodcutions (speaking), A2:

  • Can describe his/her family, living conditions, educational background, present or most recent job.

  • Can describe people, places and possessions in simple terms.

  • Can tell a story or describe something in a simple list of points. Can describe everyday aspects of his/her environment e.g. people, places, a job or study experience.

  • Can give short, basic descriptions of events and activities.

  • Can describe plans and arrangements, habits and routines, past activities and personal experiences.

  • Can use simple descriptive language to make brief statements about and compare objects and possessions.

  • Can explain what he/she likes or dislikes about something.

  • Can deliver very short, rehearsed announcements of predictable, learnt content which are intelligible to listeners who are prepared to concentrate.

  • Can give a short, rehearsed presentation on a topic pertinent to his/her everyday life, briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions, plans and actions.

  • Can cope with a limited number of straightforward follow up questions.

  • Can give a short, rehearsed, basic presentation on a familiar subject.

  • Can answer straightforward follow up questions if he/she can ask for repetition and if some help with the formulation of his/her reply is possible.

Timetable

The timetable is available on the BA International Studies website

Mode of instruction

Three two hour tutorials every week.

Attending lectures and tutorials is compulsory. If you are not able to attend a lecture or tutorial, please inform the tutor of the course. Being absent without notification can result in a lower grade or exclusion from the final exam or essay.

Assessment method

  • 1 Midterm exam: 20%

  • 4 Assignments: 5% each, 2 per block.

  • 1 Listening evaluation: 10% (1st block)

  • Oral Presentation: 10 % (2nd block)

  • Final exam: 1st Part: grammar, vocabulary and reading comprehension: 25% 2nd Part: speaking and listening: 15%

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used. Students are requested to register on Blackboard for this course.

Reading list

Mandatory books:

  • Vía Rápida, Curso intensivo de español, Libro del alumno; Ed. Difusión. 2011
    ISBN: 978-84-8443-655-3

  • Vía Rápida, Curso intensivo de español, Cuaderno de ejercicios; Ed. Difusión. 2011
    ISBN: 978-84-8443-655-0

Recommended books:

  • The Oxford Essential Spanish Dictionary, Ed. Oxford University Press. 2010
    ISBN: 9780199576449

  • Palabras, Methode woordenschatverwerving Spaans, Ed. Coutinho. 2011 ISBN: 9789046902578

Registration

Students are requested to register through uSis, the registration system of Leiden University for this course. General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Not applicable.

Remarks

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