Spanish Language and Culture I

Description

This subject is designed to provide students who have no prior knowledge of the Spanish language with a range of survival skills in order to express their needs in Castilian and Latin American Spanish, comparable to European Framework, A1. The four skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing individually or in combination are developed using authentic materials covering a variety of everyday situations. This engagement facilitates an understanding of the sociocultural contexts in which the language is used. Students take an active part in learning activities to practise and consolidate their language skills with their peers. Students also undertake independent study outside class based on selected readings and exercises. The aim is to expand students' knowledge of the language and Hispanic cultures.

Subject objectives

a.. Communicate effectively in oral and written form, in Spanish, within the range of situations set out in the subject program.

b.. Communicate in a range of transactional genres in everyday situations in different parts of the Hispanic world.

c.. Demonstrate critical cultural awareness of Hispanic-phone peoples and societies.

d.. Effectively employ strategies and resources for independent learning as relevant to the subject program.

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject makes a contribution towards the following Arts and Social Sciences' Graduate Attributes and BA International Studies Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

1. Professional Readiness

1.1. Graduates have the capacity to operate appropriately in intercultural professional contexts

1.2. Graduates demonstrate the application of international knowledge as adaptable, flexible and resourceful practitioners

3. International and Intercultural Engagement

3.1 Graduates are able to personally reflect upon the relationship between diverse cultures in Australia while confidently engaging with cultures overseas, particularly in this region

6. Effective Communication

6.1. Graduates possess a high-level of oral and written communication skills in English and at least one other language

Teaching and learning strategies

? Flipped learning: Using class time for interactive practice and advancement of skills through work in pairs, small and large groups.

?Genre-based pedagogy: By using a range of transactional genres in everyday situations in different parts of the Hispanic world, it maximizes the students? potential for effective communication in the target language.

?Blended learning: Preparation for lessons with exercises and reading/listening/viewing activities; effective use of resources supplied to support learning. As this is an 8 credit point subject, the approximate time commitment expected from students is 12 hours per week, including class time.

?Inquiry-based learning: Students will customise their learning experience to promote their engagement with Hispanic-phone peoples and societies.

? Immersive language classroom: Students are expected to use only Spanish when communicating with each other or with their teacher in class.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Progress and learning

Intent:

The study of a language requires constant and consistent effort. Students should spend time outside of class hours on grammar and vocabulary revision, as well as listening and conversation. They should also come to class prepared (i.e. having done readings, completed exercises set by teacher for the following class) and participate in language activities/discussions in class. Speaking only French in the classroom (unless instructed otherwise) is also critical to the language learning process.

Objective(s):

a., b. and c.

Weight: 10%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs

Each of the assessment criteria addresses students? online activities and their contribution to in-class learning:

Comprehension of listening and written Spanish 10 a. 6.1

Lexical and grammatical accuracy 30 a. 6.1

Variety, originality and demonstration of the full range of vocabulary and structures studied 20 a., b. 1.2

Organisation and coherence of ideas 20 b. 6.1

Reflect upon the relationship between the Hispanic culture and Australia?s culture 20 c. 3.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives

CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Test

Objective(s):

a., b. and c.

Weight: 30%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs

Comprehension of spoken and written Spanish 20 a. 6.1

Lexical and grammatical accuracy 50 a., b., c. 6.1

Variety, originality and demonstration of the full range of vocabulary and structures studied 15 a., b. 1.2

Organisation and coherence of ideas 15 a., b., c. 6.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives

CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Oral skills assessment

Intent: On the successful completion of this test the students will demonstrate that they have developed strategies to comprehend both the gist and specific information of what they read. They will also have demonstrated that they can write fluently, clearly organize and link their ideas using a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures and the use of appropriate Spanish writing conventions.

Objective(s):

a., b., c. and d.

Weight: 30%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs

Variety, originality and demonstration of the full range of vocabulary and structures 20 a. 1.2

Lexical and grammatical accuracy 20 b., c. 6.1

Appropriate use of cultural conventions and/or communication strategies relevant to the 30 c. 1.1

Intelligibility of pronunciation (use of appropriate intonation/stress) 15 a., d. 6.1

Degree of fluency (rate and speed of utterance) 15 a., b., c. 6.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives

CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 4: Test

Objective(s):

a., b. and c.

Weight: 30%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs

Comprehension of spoken and written Spanish 20 a., b., c. 6.1

Lexical and grammatical accuracy 50 a., b. 6.1

Variety, originality and demonstration of the full range of vocabulary and structures studied 15 a., b., c. 1.2

Organisation and coherence of ideas 15 a., b., c. 6.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives

CILOs: course intended learning outcomes