LA460-6-FY-CO:
Mastery Spanish

The details
2024/25
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 27 June 2025
30
02 September 2024

 

Requisites for this module
LA440 or LA450
The Department of Language and Linguistics can offer guidance on prior knowledge or qualification exemptions.
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

BA R9R4 European Studies with Spanish,
BA R9R9 European Studies with Spanish (Including Foundation Year),
BA RR49 Spanish Studies and Modern Languages,
BA RT97 Spanish, Portuguese and Brazilian Studies

Module description

This final-year module is tailored for students who have completed a year abroad, a LAx50 module, or an equivalent (e.g., B2+/C1 of CEFR). It serves as an opportunity to enhance and solidify students’ advanced language skills, encompassing listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The overarching goal is to attain a proficiency level equivalent to Threshold Level C1+/C2 of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR).


Moreover, the module strives to deepen students’ understanding of the culture and society of the language’s respective countries. Participants will reinforce their grasp of tense usage, acquiring proficiency in employing more intricate sentence structures and more sophisticated vocabulary, including idioms and expressions. Engaging with extended and intricate texts from diverse media outlets, such as lectures, TV news, current affairs programs, films, and literary works, is a key component of the learning experience. This comprehensive approach aims to cultivate a well-rounded linguistic and cultural competence among students, reaching a level at which they can actively participate in professional activities.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To quickly and precisely analyse any written or spoken document (summarize, explain, or comment).

  • To enhance students’ knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.

  • To collaborate on research into topical issues.

  • To discuss complex subjects in detail and express ideas fluently.

  • To consolidate understanding of the social and cultural aspects of regions/countries where the language is spoken.

  • To develop collaborative learning strategies, public engagement, and critical thinking.

  • To practice and expand transferable skills, including intercultural awareness and language mediation, communication and presentation skills, independent learning, creative and analytical thinking, reflective skills, problem-solving, team-working, disciplined time management, research skills, and the use of electronic media.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students are expected to be able to:



  1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of complex specialised and non-specialised texts.

  2. Show a deep understanding and appropriate use of grammar and vocabulary, including some idiomatic expressions.

  3. Express themselves effortlessly and confidently in both written and spoken language across a variety of registers.

  4. Deliver a clear, smoothly-flowing description or argument, employing a style suitable for the context and featuring an effective logical structure.

  5. Demonstrate knowledge of key aspects of the history, society and current issues in the countries where the language is spoken, along with the ability to analyse and discuss them.

  6. Have developed academic, transferable study skills, including intercultural awareness and language mediation skills, independent learning, intellectual (critical, analytical thinking), research skills, problem-solving, team-working, planning and delivering oral presentations, time-management, and the use of electronic media.

Module information

The overarching goal is to attain a proficiency level equivalent to Threshold Level C1+/C2 of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR).

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • 2 or 3* one-hour seminar per week

 The module aims are achieved through a variety of activities, both in class and outside, utilising a dedicated online learning platform (Moodle). Attendance and active participation are essential. Students are required to submit homework regularly, engage in interactions with other students through pair and group work, and dedicate approximately 7 hours per week to self-study.

*2 hours if there are fewer than 8 students in a group.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Assignment 1 (Written)     
Coursework   Assignment 3 (Written)     
Coursework   Assignment 4 (Speaking)     
Coursework   Assignment 2 (Listening)  13/12/2024   
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Closed Book, 180 minutes during Summer (Main Period) 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Closed Book, 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
0% 100%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Ms Teresa Torres, email: torrmi@essex.ac.uk.
Teresa Torres
Teresa Torres, email: torrmi@essex.ac.uk , office: 4.213 number: x2110

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
No

External examiner

Ms Maria Isabel Moros
University of Exeter
Senior Lecturer in Hispanic Studies
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 28 hours, 26 (92.9%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
2 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Language and Linguistics

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