SPAN101-24S1 (C) Semester One 2024

Beginners' Spanish A

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 19 February 2024
End Date: Sunday, 23 June 2024
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 3 March 2024
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 12 May 2024

Description

An introductory language course for students with no previous knowledge of Spanish.

SPAN101 is a course designed to offer students the opportunity to acquire initial knowledge of the Spanish language as well as the appreciation of different Hispanic cultures. This paper is a half-year beginning language course that assumes no prior knowledge or experience with Spanish. The course is based on the communicative approach to language learning: All four of the basic communication skills will be developed and students will practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. The overall emphasis is on realistic situations that could prove useful in a practical sense to students. Since reading and writing can be practiced outside of the classroom, class time will be devoted mainly to listening and speaking activities.

Expectations
1. Attendance: Students in this course are expected to attend all classes and participate actively.
Languages are learned by doing, and the tutorial-style sessions in this course are designed to create an atmosphere in which students can put their language skills into use. Using Spanish to interact with your instructor and your classmates is an important aspect of learning the language. You should understand that frequent and extended absences will not allow you to develop the necessary language skills. If you do not attend regularly and do not keep up with the work, you will therefore not only be hindering your own progress, but you will also be holding back the other students with whom you are working.

2. Participation: Since this course is largely grounded on the communicative approach toward acquiring a language (strong emphasis on conversational and listening skills), active class participation is considered an essential part of the course; hence, it’s expected that each and every student attend all lectures thoroughly prepared and ready to participate in class activities.

3. Homework: Homework, other than the compulsory assignments outlined on the description of assessment items section of this course outline, will be assigned on a regular basis strictly for your own benefit. You are expected to complete it and, although it may not be collected, your instructor will check it from time to time so as to ensure that you are on task.

4. AKO|LEARN: Learn constitutes an important communication tool for the course; therefore, you are expected to check it on a daily basis.

Note on attendance/Te Tae-ā-tinana: Languages are learned by doing, and the tutorial-style sessions in this course are designed to create an atmosphere in which students can try out their
language skills on each other. If you do not attend regularly and do not keep up with the work, you will therefore not only be hindering your own progress, but you will also be holding back the other students with whom you are working.

Learning Outcomes

  • As a student in this course, you will...
  • understand the main idea and most of the supporting details of spoken and written Spanish geared for university students of Spanish on current affairs and topics related to students’ daily life.
  • speak in complete sentences about familiar topics with sufficient grammatical accuracy.
  • read simple edited articles with an understanding of the main ideas and most of the supporting details.
  • write brief and coherent paragraphs on a familiar topic with sufficient grammatical accuracy as to be understood by native speakers of Spanish.
  • understand significant cultural traits such as lifestyles, attitudes, customs, and geography.


    SPAN101 addresses the UC Graduate Profile key attributes in the following manner:
  • Students will demonstrate critical competency to sustain elementary oral and written exchanges of information and ideas in Spanish. SPAN101 has been designed to introduce students to the Spanish language and the many facets of Hispanic culture. Active engagement with the content of this course will allow students to develop the skills to critically analyse linguistic and cultural patterns by transforming elementary knowledge of pronunciation, vocabulary, verb forms, syntax, and grammar into effective communication in Spanish.

  • Students will develop specific skills, abilities and knowledge that are essential for a successful career. SPAN101 will combine practical-oriented tasks with grammar-focused interactive activities. Students will be able to communicate confidently in a wider range of social interactions including formal situations and simple professional contexts. This interactive learning environment will help students to develop their language proficiency, to successfully engage in social interaction and acquire conversational techniques at the elementary level.

  • Students will identify patterns of interaction that are relevant in different cultural settings. By critically examining cultural beliefs, values and aspects of everyday life, students will demonstrate an understanding of the perspectives and products of the culture studied in in Spanish-speaking nations. This, in turn, will allow them to become increasingly aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand.

  • Students will foster a sense of community engagement through the study of Spanish language and culture. Since students will develop their proficiency in order to be able to communicate and exchange points of view with Spanish speakers, they will also gain a broad understanding of the diversity of Hispanic cultures through a study of these societies’ literary and cultural contributions, traditions, and perspectives. This will enable them to reflect on their own cultural frame of reference in order to help integrate community interactions with Spanish speakers through a variety of academic and cultural assignments that will be mutually beneficial for the students and the community

  • Students will develop an understanding of and appreciation for other cultures and/or subcultures of the Spanish speaking world. Students will learn how to effectively utilise different critical lenses to examine the conditions, cultural heritage and values of other cultures in a global setting and to recognise distinctive viewpoints through the study of Spanish and texts produced in different cultural contexts.

    Additionally, the specific objectives of SPAN201 are to enable students to:
  • broaden the knowledge of grammar obtained in SPAN102 (or equivalent).
  • acquire language proficiency through conversational practice and listening/oral comprehension exercises.
  • write for communicative purposes and for developing greater precision in grammar and in the use of vocabulary.
  • develop reading skills through assigned readings.
  • examine cultural beliefs and values of the Hispanic world, which in turn students will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for cultures other than their own, including the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • be able to comprehend the influence of global conditions on Spain and Latin America and be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
  • develop specific linguistic skills in Spanish that will enhance students’ opportunities for a successful career.
    • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Engaged with the community

      Students will have observed and understood a culture within a community by reflecting on their own performance and experiences within that community.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Timetable 2024

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 10:00 - 11:00 Jack Erskine 111
19 Feb - 31 Mar
22 Apr - 2 Jun
02 Monday 11:00 - 12:00 Jack Erskine 111
19 Feb - 31 Mar
22 Apr - 2 Jun
03 Monday 13:00 - 14:00 Jack Erskine 111
19 Feb - 31 Mar
22 Apr - 2 Jun
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 10:00 - 11:00 Jack Erskine 121
19 Feb - 31 Mar
22 Apr - 2 Jun
02 Tuesday 11:00 - 12:00 Jack Erskine 101
19 Feb - 31 Mar
22 Apr - 2 Jun
03 Tuesday 13:00 - 14:00 Jack Erskine 443
19 Feb - 31 Mar
22 Apr - 2 Jun
Lecture C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 10:00 - 11:00 Jack Erskine 244
19 Feb - 31 Mar
22 Apr - 2 Jun
02 Wednesday 11:00 - 12:00 Jack Erskine 244
19 Feb - 31 Mar
22 Apr - 2 Jun
03 Wednesday 13:00 - 14:00 Jack Erskine 101
19 Feb - 31 Mar
22 Apr - 2 Jun
Lecture D
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 10:00 - 11:00 Jack Erskine 121
19 Feb - 31 Mar
29 Apr - 2 Jun
02 Thursday 11:00 - 12:00 Jack Erskine 121
19 Feb - 31 Mar
29 Apr - 2 Jun
03 Thursday 13:00 - 14:00 Jack Erskine 244 (22/2)
Jack Erskine 121 (29/2-28/3, 2/5-30/5)
19 Feb - 31 Mar
29 Apr - 2 Jun

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Quizzes (3) 15% Weeks 3, 5,10
In-class Journals (2) 10% Weeks 5 & 11
Immersion Challenges (2) 10% Weeks 8 & 10
Oral Test (1) 15% Week 11
Written tests (2) 40% Weeks 6 & 12
Homework 10% Weekly (see weekly schedule)

Textbooks / Resources

Required Texts

Blanco, José A; PANORAMA. Introducción a la Lengua Española ; 6th Edition (digital edition); Vista Higher Learning, 2021.

The digital textbook can be purchased online at Vista Higher Learning

Useful Websites:
wordreference.com – an excellent online dictionary
quizlet.com – useful for learning vocabulary

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $844.00

International fee $3,950.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .

All SPAN101 Occurrences

  • SPAN101-24S1 (C) Semester One 2024