B0102 - SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE 2

Learning outcomes

The course aims to consolidate the students’ communicative language skills acquired so far and to deepen their linguistic knowledge. Special attention will be given to the analysis and production of different types of texts and to the development of reformulation and paraphrase skills, in order to enrich their oral and written production. At the end of the course, students should • Understand and produces a wide range of written texts and complex oral discourses in Spanish, expressing themselves fluently and spontaneously; • Communicate correctly in different registers (colloquial, neutral, formal, academic); • Make well-structured oral presentations on complex topics; • Use idiomatic and colloquial expressions and distinguishes connotative levels of meaning.

Course contents

This course is reserved exclusively for students in the Bachelor of European Studies programme. Students of other programmes are not allowed to take this course in their programme.

Classes will be held online.

The course consists of a 35 hours language lab devoted to practicing spoken and written Spanish (1st semester) and 35 hours of lectures and discussion dedicated to the culture and society of Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries (2nd semester).

Labs are conducted in groups according to the level of language proficiency assessed at the beginning of the course through a placement test. The language laboratory is aimed at improving fluency and accuracy in writing and speaking skills with a special focus on Spanish grammar from a communicative approach. The students will be exposed to a wide range of authentic oral and written text types on topics related to the disciplines of the degree course and specific to Spanish culture.

At the end of the course students should reach a minimum level of B1 (Council of Europe framework). This communicative course develops the learners’ oral and written communication and comprehension skills through the use of high-frequency language that enables them to become independent users. Thus, they will be able to:

• conduct longer exchanges related to limited specific topics and give short presentations or information on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.
• read and write longer and more complex texts.
• consolidate the grammar at B1 level.
• extend the students’ knowledge of the culture and society of Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries.
• develop the linguistic skills and cultural knowledge to engage fully with political, historical and cultural issues in Spanish.
• build strong analytical skills and understanding of the key areas that characterize today’s Spain.

Students will also acquire an important group of general (GC), transversal (TC) and specific competences (SC), and be able to (depending on the CEFR level for the target languages of their choice):

GC1. Recognize and analyze the mechanisms and structures of modern foreign languages.

GC2. Develop the ability to communicate orally and in writing in at least two modern foreign languages with a sufficient level of dexterity in the various situations of professional life for which their degree qualifies.

GC3. Describe and rigorously express the knowledge acquired in the learning of foreign languages for professional purposes, to allow its application in the professional fields.

GC4. Value and deepen the linguistic, literary, and cultural diversity relating it to other areas of knowledge.

GC5. Develop the capacity for linguistic and cultural mediation in various social, political, and anthropological contexts and in foundations, institutions, and international organizations.

GC6. Prepare and write texts and reports of an academic, institutional and administrative nature.

GC7. Develop the ability to translate professional and literary texts and documents.

GC8. Carry out consulting and translation tasks in written and audio-visual communication.

GC9. Acquire the training to continue research in the fields of linguistics, literature, and the culture of the respective languages, and in other areas of Humanities and Social Sciences.

GC10. Promote respect for different cultural manifestations, and the understanding and promotion of intercultural processes.

TC1. Develop the capacity for analysis and synthesis.

TC2. Develop the ability to apply knowledge to practice.

TC3. Evaluate, interpret and synthesize data and information.

TC4. Develop critical and self-critical reasoning.

TC5. Work autonomously.

TC6. Work in groups and in international contexts.

TC7. Plan and manage information and times.

TC8. Develop creativity.

TC10. Appreciate cultural diversity.

TC12. Develop a social conscience regarding the concept of equal opportunities.

SC1. Develop the ability to orally understand and speak in different social and professional contexts in the target languages.

SC2. Develop the capacity for written expression and comprehension in the target languages. The student produces well-articulated and structured texts on a wide variety of current topics and has a good command of discursive structures, connectors, and cohesion mechanisms. S/he understands the fundamental ideas of complex and long texts, including technical discussions about her/his field of specialization, and grasps the meanings which are implicit in texts, both written and oral.

SC3. Carry out linguistic analysis in one or two modern foreign languages.

SC4. Acquire the foundations for theoretical reflection on phonological, morpho-syntactic, lexical, and discursive aspects of the target languages.

SC12. Be familiar with and use information and communication technologies (ICT) in the field of application of the target languages and their culture.

SC13. Manage quality information, specialized databases, and resources accessible on the Internet.

Spanish Culture (2nd semester)

The linguistic content information will be selected according to the CEFR levels for Spanish. The four skills will be developed (reading comprehension, writing, speaking and listening). In this semester we will work through materials (text and video) related to the cultural, historical and social spheres of the different Spanish-speaking countries, promoting dialogue and debate in class. In addition, students will make group presentations on topics related to the countries covered during the course.

This semester will centre on the diversity of Spanish-speaking countries, with a focus on Spain and their differences with other European countries. The aim is to improve the students’ awareness of the key issues in the current agenda of these countries and develop their own fact-based opinion on them. We will gather our own materials as a common platform to develop an understanding of current Spain through these topics:

o Spain: history and political organisation

o Colonisation and independence of America

o Dictatorships and revolutions

o Geography of the Hispanic countries

o Spanish in contact with other languages: U.S. Spanish

o Biography and diversity of the Spanish language

o Economy and work organisation

o Economic activities and migratory movements

o Education: school systems

o Literature and society

o Art

Readings/Bibliography

Texts to use during the 2nd term of the course

Todas las voces. Curso de cultura y civilización - B1, Difusión, Barcelona, 2021.

Texts and materials provided by the teacher and uploaded on the Toledo platform

Texts to support students in self-study

Castro, Francisca. Uso de la gramática elemental, Ed. Edelsa, 2010.

Gramática de uso del español, Ed. SM, Madrid, 2009.

Encinar, A, Uso interactivo del vocabulario, Edelsa, 2010.

Teaching methods

During the lessons, cultural, historical and social topics will be addressed through explanations by the lecturer. These topics will serve to develop and improve the linguistic aspects seen during the first semester but, above all, to provide the student with a complete vision of the culture and reality of Spanish-speaking countries, with particular emphasis on Spain and its relationship with other European countries.

In order to allow students to practise the language efficiently, group dynamics will often be used to explore certain topics in depth.

Assessment methods

The evaluation will take place in two ways:


1) group work and presentation;

OR

2) oral examination on the content covered during the course.

The group presentation will deal with a topic chosen from the content covered in 2nd semester (culture, history, society).

The purpose of the oral exam will be to demonstrate the acquisition of the different contents of the 2nd semester, as well as the required level of linguistic and oral expression.

20% of total: compulsory and active participation in classes

40% of total: final oral exam

40% of total: written mid-term tests

Teaching tools

Pdfs of classes, additional texts and materials will be provided by the teacher and uploaded on the Toledo platform.

Office hours

See the website of Benedetta Binacchi

See the website of