Culture and Language Class: Spanish at an Intermediate Level 2

elective courses

The study of the Spanish language starts from level B1+/B2.

Intensive Spanish language course B2/B2+ level (according to the Common European Framework of References for Languages - CEFR). This culture and language class has an innovative structure, which allows students to learn about Spanish culture, history, and politics in Spanish.

During the classes, the students will discuss grammar and lexical issues, and practice their listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills, up to level B2/B2+. Grammar issues will be introduced and developed through practical exercises and translations of sentences and short texts, containing familiar grammatical structures. The vocabulary is broken down into thematic blocks. Listening skills are practiced on the basis of original recordings or statements presented by the lecturer. The understanding of contents is checked through tasks related to the text. Writing skills are developed by analyzing texts in Spanish and attempting to create one’s own written statements. During the classes, the students will practice their ability to create spoken statements about topics introduced within a framework of selected thematic blocks.

The classes will be complemented with screening of selected films with different material, for example, literary and non-literary texts, selections fragments of radio programs or podcast, videos related to cultural aspects and fragments of Spanish-language films from Spain or Latin America.

Special attention will be paid to aspects related to political, economic, social and cultural reality of the contemporary Spain and Latin America, followed by the analysis by the lecturers and the attendees.

The course is conducted on the basis of texts prepared by the lecturer specifically to enable the students to master grammatical structures and basic vocabulary as quickly as possible, together with the knowledge of Spanish culture. In addition, material from the textbooks selected by the lecturer will be used.

Corpas, J., E. García & A. Garmendia (2016): Aula Internacional Nueva Edición 4. Barcelona: Difusión.

Corpas, J., E. García & A. Garmendia (2016): Aula Internacional Nueva Edición 5. Barcelona: Difusión.

Baralo, M.; Genis M.; Santana, M. E. Vovabulario Avanzado (B2, B2+). Anaya.

Aragonés, L; Palencia, R. Gramática de uso del español. Teoría y práctica (B2; B2+).

Knowledge: the graduate

- has a structured, advanced knowledge of the Spanish culture and Spanish language at B2/B2+ level (K_W01, K_W03, K_W10)

- has an in-depth knowledge of the language as the basic form of expression and as medium of a given culture, reflecting its characteristic historical and cultural processes (K_W01, K_W03, K_W10, K_W11)

- is well familiar with the methods of analyzing literary texts (K_W03, K_W10, K_W11)

- knows main genres in the Spanish film at the turn of the 20th and 21st century (K_W03, K_W11)

- understands the film language as a genre (K_W11)

Abilities: the graduate is able to

- use Spanish language at B2/B2+ level (K_U09)

- interpret and analyze literary texts independently, taking into consideration their historical and regional context (K_U06, K_U09, K_U10)

- write texts such as: short stories, articles, essays in Spanish (K_U06, K_U09, K_U10)

- recognize and independently use the basic research methodologies within the contemporary literature, film and culture studies (K_U06, K_U10)

- understand ad interpret films (K_U06, K_U10)

Social competences: the graduate is ready to

- carry out the work plan of is contribution to a class, according to the teacher’s guidelines (K_K01, K_K04)

- take part actively in discussions in Spanish, respecting the views of their partners (K_K04)

- improve his personal culture (K_K01)

Continuous evaluation (based on the activity during the course and preparation for the classes), final test (written and oral). Four absences are allowed – if absences exceed, the student will have to make up for them individually (extra work to be discussed with the lecturer). 25% or more absences result in failing classes and the necessity to repeat them.

Methods and rules for passing the course: tests during the years, final test (written and oral).