ML2YL5: Year Abroad Language

Module code: ML2YL5

Module provider: Languages and Cultures; School of Humanities

Credits: 40

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Marine Orain, email: m.orain@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE ML2YS2 AND TAKE ML2YS1 (Compulsory)

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

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module assesses the level in French/German/Italian/Spanish language achieved by the student as a result of one year of full immersion abroad.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate understanding and correct use of basic and complex grammatical features in French/German/Italian/Spanish
2. Demonstrate understanding of, and ability to reconstruct, complex written texts according to the requirements of French/German/Italian/Spanish syntax and morphology
3. Expand their use of reference texts and resources to aid their independent language learning

Module content

There will be no formal teaching for this module. Students will be briefed before going abroad about what will be expected of them.

Students will complete a series of online exercises and activities to reinforce and further expand their grammatical competences and their ability to accurately reconstruct texts in French/German/Italian/Spanish

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

After a preparatory meeting at the end of Part 2, students will be responsible for preparing for the assignments for this module themselves, using the resources available to them during the period which they spend abroad.

Students will access online resources and practise activities made available to them on Blackboard. Feedback to such activities will be embedded in the online material.

Students doing one core language will be required to take (and pass with at least 40%) one online language test (administered by DLC) by the end of June.

Students doing two core languages will be required to take (and pass with at least 40%) two online language tests (one in each language) by the end of June.

Students doing three core languages will be required to take a language test in each language for which they are spending a semester abroad. This means they will be required to take (and pass with at least 40%) two online language tests (one in each language linked to ML2YS1 and ML2YS2 respectively) by the end of June. These students are encouraged to take the test in their third language as formative practice.

Study hours

This module is a placement or study abroad module and therefore the teaching and learning activities will predominantly, or entirely, take place away from the University of Reading. Your host organisation will normally advise you of the associated hours of your placement or year abroad. If the module includes any in-person activities at the University of Reading, these will be confirmed to you 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

This module is marked on a pass/fail basis. Students must pass each item of assessment to pass the 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.

Since the online language tests are for linguistic development and diagnostic purposes, students will be able to take practice tests, use other online resources provided, and retake the final test as often as they wish, in order to improve both their mark and their preparedness for final-year study. 

Reassessment

Additional costs