SP3LMB-Spanish Language for Management & Business

Module Provider: Languages and Cultures
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: FR3LMB French Language for Management & Business II or GM3LMB German Language for Management & Business II or IT3LMB Italian Language for Management & Business
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mr Ra£l Marchena Magadan
Email: raul.marchenamagadan@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to develop and expand on the language and knowledge which students have acquired after two years of undergraduate study. Students will expand their knowledge of Spanish business lexis and of the principles of business practice and its socioeconomic context. They will reinforce their ability to summarise documents and to write on business topics in Spanish and they will be able to present in oral and written form syntheses and analysis of different types of information.

Aims:

This module aims to enable students to read and write at an advanced level in Spanish on management and business topics related to the Spanish-speaking world. It also aims to develop students' skills in elaborating on and evaluating sets of statistics and diagrams in Spanish.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

• understand advanced texts on financial, business and management topics from the Spanish-speaking world;


• demonstrate that they have acquired the necessary knowledge of the concepts, terminology and institutional structures relating to the Spanish-speaking business world; 


• recognise the common stylistic and syntactical features of technical texts in Spanish; 


• write Spanish at an advanced level on management/business topics; 


• analyse statistics and diagrams in Spanish;


• demonstrate oral communication skills in Spanish for business-related topics.

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims to enable students to:?

• develop their IT skills by using the internet as a source for material relating to the Spanish-speaking business world;


• make good use of appropriate reference materials (dictionaries, grammars, etc.);


• increase their business awareness, particularly as regards the Spanish-speaking business world;


• acquire an awareness and some experience of business working practices and environments where Spanish is used, and an acquaintance with current developments in the commercial and economic life of Spanish-speaking countries and the UK.

Outline content:

Students are introduced to a variety of texts of advanced difficulty covering different areas of commercial activity with a focus on, but not limited to Spanish-speaking countries. The contact hours will be devoted to the development of written, reading and speaking skills in business-related areas: banking and finance, management and marketing, etc. In each area an introduction is provided to important concepts and institutional structures, as well as to the relevant terminology and vocabulary in Spanish.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will use a variety of strategies for teaching and learning, involving a mixture of group-work, class discussion and analysis, and independent work between sessions. Students will complete regular exercises as homework and will also do a variety of exercises in class.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	30
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	60
Advance preparation for classes	40
Preparation for seminars	20
Completion of formative assessment tasks	4
Revision and preparation	4
Group study tasks	22
Carry-out research project	20
Total hours by term	200	0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Project output other than dissertation	60
Oral assessment and presentation	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will take an oral exam worth 40% of the final mark for this module. 

Progression of language practical skills and competence will be assessed over one term through a coursework project. Students’ continuous assessment work is worth 60% of the module mark.

Formative assessment methods:

Feedback will be given on homework tasks and assignments and there will be opportunities for class-based discussions.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be via a 2-hour Written and Reading Comprehension test (60%) and an oral presentation project (40%), in August, in the event of failure in this module and in the degree as a whole. ?Continuous assessment and/or coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books: Information provided in the module reading list.


2. Specialist equipment or materials: None


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None


4. Printing and binding: None


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification: None


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None

Last updated: 18 May 2023