Dept. of Lang. & Ling. Modern Languages LA440

PROGRAMME: ADVANCED SPANISH (LA 440)

Requirements

To study this module you must:

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Objectives

This module will focus on expanding vocabulary and improving listening and oral skills. During the first term we will consolidate grammatical structures, whilst on the second term we will also work on more advanced grammar. Through the use of authentic texts, films and other audio-visual material, students should acquire a wider knowledge of the Spanish and Latin American culture and history.

The module is divided in 4 hours: reading and writing, grammar, listening and conversation.

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Materials

            You do not need to buy any textbooks. You can access all the materials for the module in the website: http://courses.essex.ac.uk/la/la440/

DICTIONARIES

            The following dictionaries are recommended:

            The Oxford Spanish Dictionary, or Collins Spanish~English Dictionary.

             I strongly recommend to use a dictionary of synonyms. You can find some in the library.

            Vox diccionario avanzado sinónimos y antónimos de la lengua española.

 GRAMMAR BOOKS

            It is always a good idea to consult other books and get more practice. Here are some that you can find in the library and also in Waterstone’s:

            Turk & Zollo. ¡Acción Gramática! Ed: Hodder & Stoughton.

            Castro. Uso de la gramática española. Avanzado. Ed: Edelsa. This comes with the exercise key book.

            Kattán-Ibarra & Howkins. Spanish Grammar in Context. Ed: Hodder Education.

If you have problems with grammatical terminology, this book could be useful:

            Emily Spinelli. English Grammar for Students of Spanish. Ed: The Olivia and Hill Press.

            As reference grammar, you have more comprehensive books in the library, such as:

            Butt & Benjamin. A new Reference of Modern Spanish.  Ed: Edward Arnold.

            Christopher J. Pountain & T. de Carlos. Practising Spanish Grammar. A workbook. Ed. Edward Arnold. This book accompanies the one mentioned above and contains exercises and the answers.

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Resources

You can borrow music and films from the Help Desk (4.S.3.10). You can take the music home for three days and the films for one night. You can also use them in the Self-Access Audio Lab and the Self-Access Video Lab.  You can also watch Spanish language channels on satellite television in the Self-Access Video Lab.

 Library: Apart from the University Library which has many Spanish literature books and grammar books, we have our own Spanish library. You can find it in the Help Desk (4S.3.10).  Also you can relax and read El País Dominical, ECOS, which is a magazine addressed to students of Spanish, and other magazines, in the Common Room (4.305).

 Societies: Every year the students form different societies like the Latin American Society and the Spanish Society which will help you to meet Spanish speaking people.

Spanish Weblinks

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Coursework

The coursework consists of: 

 The Portfolio and the Project are both compulsory. You should hand the Portfolio in by Friday, week 11, and the module director will give you feedback on it after Christmas. The final portfolio should be handed in on 25th March.

There are 4 other tests and we will take the best 3 marks. All assignments are equally weighted. 

            Class test grades reflect the academic standard of the work, NOT the percentage. The normal maximum mark for work which is truly exceptional in every respect is 80. Please, refer to page 50 of the Students’ handbook about the marking criteria for work in Modern Languages.

 2nd and final year, Erasmus, IP, Occasional and Self-funded students, remember that you will need to re-submit your marked work during the examination period for the external examiners to scrutinize (see Re-submission of coursework at the end of the year, p.102).

HOMEWORK

Apart from the daily homework, students can present some written homework for  which the teacher will give them some feedback. These pieces do not carry a mark, but they are very important to know your progress. There are also some mock tests that will help you prepare for the end of term tests. 

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Assessment

The final exam will be a 2 hour written test. Coursework: 50% Final exam: 50%

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Absence from tests

Students who fail to attend at the specified time, whatever the reason, will be awarded a mark of zero and will not be allowed to re-take the test(s). In cases where absence from a test is the result of unavoidable circumstances, students should submit an extenuating performance form under the normal rules (see p.101)

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Timetable

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