LA1PS3: IWLP Spanish 3

Module code: LA1PS3

Module provider: Languages and Cultures; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Ms Angela Mira Conejero, email: a.miraconejero@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must take LA1PS2 or equivalent. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE SP1L1 OR TAKE SP1L2 OR TAKE SP1L3 OR TAKE SP2L2 OR TAKE SP2L3 OR TAKE SP2L4 OR TAKE SP3L3 OR TAKE SP3L4 OR TAKE SP3L6 OR TAKE SP3L6C OR TAKE SP3LMB OR TAKE LA1PS1 OR TAKE LA1PS2 (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module is intended for students of any year of study with previous basic knowledge of the Spanish language (A2 of the CEFR or equivalent). This module aims at enabling students to achieve a CEFR B1 level within a defined range of topics, allowing students to move from the immediate personal domain of communicative situations into educational and work-related domains. 

This module aims at providing students with: 

• the ability to communicate in Spanish in everyday situations about matters related to work, education, leisure, etc. 
• the competence in Spanish grammar and vocabulary required to communicate at a more independent level 
• further insights into aspects of society and everyday life in Spanish-speaking countries 
• intercultural competence in comparing and evaluating aspects of culture 
• Our small, interactive classes are designed to equip students with communicative language skills in an engaging way. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of clear, standard spoken and written Spanish on a variety of familiar topics. 
2. Express themselves in Spanish with reasonable fluency when speaking and writing about familiar subjects in a straightforward communicative context (conversation or text type). 
3. Recognise an increasingly wider and more complex range of Spanish vocabulary and grammatical structures, and apply these with increased confidence when speaking and writing about familiar and personally relevant subjects. 

Module content

The module will consolidate and develop the language and communicative skills required to engage with topics such as cultural stereotypes and contrasts, education, the climate crisis, migration, generational issues, gender, and more. Grammar and vocabulary will be explored in context in an accessible and engaging way, ensuring a solid linguistic foundation. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module provides a systematic approach to acquiring essential vocabulary and grammar structures in a communicative context and is taught as far as possible in the target language. Teaching methods are based on interactive language development tasks, such as group work and discussions, and include the study of short texts, oral development work and listening comprehension exercises. Learning activities are supported by a variety of digital and printed media. 

Support is given and adjustments are made for students with disabilities. However, please note that IWLP language modules are communicative in nature and students are required to work in small groups. In addition, students should be aware that spelling, grammar and sentence structure are assessed. In this respect the IWLP assessment is exempt from the University’s requirement to take specific learning difficulties into account when marking in almost all cases. 

Study hours

At least 60 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

In order to consolidate and develop their language learning, students are encouraged to complete regular tasks – in class and outside – on which ongoing feedback is provided. 

Reassessment

Additional costs