SPAN 1003 - Beginners Spanish A

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

The aim of this course is to provide an introductory study in the vocabulary and structures of Spanish, and to develop a functional level of communicative proficiency in the language. The course seeks to develop all the basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will also be introduced to various aspects of the society and culture of Spain and other Spanish speaking countries in Latin America through audio and video extracts and short texts. The emphasis throughout will be on communicative skills both oral and written.

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Course Details

Course Code	SPAN 1003
Course	Beginners Spanish A
Coordinating Unit	European Languages, and Linguistics
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Incompatible	SPAN 1001, SPAN 1002, SPAN 1003OL
Assessment	8 x online quizzes 25%, Mid-Semester test 25%, Final test 40%, Tutorial participation 10%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Paula Plastic

Ms Marta Montero Lomas

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

1 two-hour seminar X 12 weeks
2 One-hour tutorials per week X12 weeks.

Seminars and tutorials will be face-to-face.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

1	Correctly recognise, pronounce and use a wide variety of vocabulary in Spanish.
2	Write complete sentences and short paragraphs in Spanish.
3	Maintain a basic conversation in Spanish of ten minutes or longer.
4	Provide basic information about their country of origin in Spanish.
5	Understand and use the basic structures of the Spanish grammar.
6	Read and understand basic documents in Spanish.
7	Use the internet to further their knowledge of the Spanish language and culture.
8	Complete assessment tasks and language practices using digital technologies.
9	Work collaboratively with their peers in group assignments and practices to improve their use of the Spanish language.
10	To discover cultural differences between Australia and the Spanish-speaking world, and to make respectful comparisons between the two worldviews.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1, 2, 5, 6
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	6, 7, 10
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	1, 3, 4, 9
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	2, 5, 6, 7, 8
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	4, 7, 10
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	.
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	.
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	4, 10

Learning Resources
Required Resources

You will need a workbook, Español en 3-2-1Gramática A1/A2 (2022). This is a very inexpensive ebook that you will use in SPAN 1003 and SPAN 1004. You may print and bind it or use it in its digital form. All other materials will be provided via MyUni.

Recommended Resources
You will be typing in Spanish when completing tasks. In order to spell words correctly, work more efficiently, and avoid penalties, make sure you add the Spanish keyboard to your devices. Here are some resources that may help you:
- Type in another language on your Mac with input sources
- Switch between languages using the Language bar
Online Learning
1. Wordreference: Recommended dictionary
2. Study Spanish: Grammar explanations and activities
3. DELE Ahora: How to conjugate verbs
4. Quizlet: Flashcards / Digital study tools
5. Hello Talk: Chatting with native speakers online
  
  You will find additional videos and activities on MyUni.

Learning & Teaching Modes

In this course, you will be asked to:

Attend 1 x 2-hour seminar / week
Attend 2 x 1-hour tutorial / week
Complete homework/assignments (Vocabulary and Grammar Quizzes, Discussions, etc.)
Revise content studied in class regularly
Sit a midterm, a final, and an oral exam

Seminars: Seminars are not lectures, they will not be recorded and they are highly interactive. However, you will have access to all teaching and learning materials (slides, activities, and answers). What would a seminar look like? Instructors will introduce units of work, explain the main grammatical points, and facilitate activities to make sure you understand what has been presented. You will be asked to download a vocabulary list prior to each unit, revise content, and come prepared.

Tutorials: Tutorials are even more practical. Students will revise vocabulary and complete reading, listening, and viewing activities, as well as prepare for the oral exam. Tutorials begin in week 1 of the semester.

Independent work: Learning a language takes time so you will be expected to complete homework and practice outside of class time.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

One two-hour seminar per week	24 hours per semester
2 x 1-hour tutorials per week	24 hours per semester
4 hours homework completion per week	48 hours per semester
3 hour online-quizzes preparation and completion (5 weeks)	15 hours per semester
2 hours reading per week	24 hours per semester
19 hours test preparation and completion per semester	20 hours per semester
TOTAL WORKLOAD	154 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

Schedule
Week 1	Introduction to SPAN 1003 1. Structure 2. Expectations 3. Assessment 4. Resources Communication 1. Saying hello and goodbye 2. Introducing yourself (name, age, origin) Vocabulary 1. Greetings 2. Counting 0-25 3. The classroom Grammar 1. Spanish as a linguistic, cultural, and emotional system 2. Modes and tenses within the indicative mode 3. Grammatical gender and number > Grammatical Agreement 4. Definite articles: el, la, los, las 5. Verbs: ser and estar (I)
Weeks 2-3	Unit 1: Nos conocemos Communication 1. Describing yourself and others 2. Expressing intention, motivations, and wants using the indicative Vocabulary 1. Numbers 25-100 2. Nationalities 3. Professions and workplaces 4. Colours 5. Family Grammar 1. Personal Pronouns 2. Verbal modes/moods 3. Presente del indicativo I: Verb classification > regular verbs 4. Verbs: gustar and querer 5. Verbs: ser and estar (II) Pronunciation/Intonation 1. Asking personal questions Culture 1. Spanish speaking communities 2. Family ties
Weeks 4-5	Unit 2: Mi semana Communication 1. Talking about habits and expressing frequency Vocabulary 1. Daily routine (activities, adverbs, days of the week, parts of the day, etc) 2. Leisure activities Pronunciation / Intonation 1. Coordinated sentences 2. /s/ vs /θ/ Grammar 1. Presente del indicativo II: Verb classification > regular, irregular, pronominal, and verbs like GUSTAR 2. Building full sentences > S + V + C Culture 1. Studying in Spanish speaking cities
Week 6	Midterm Exam
Weeks 7-8	Unit 3: ¡A comer! Communication 1. Ordering food 2. Talking about eating habits and diets Vocabulary 1. Ingredients, cooking techniques, utensils, restaurants 2. Numbers 100-1000 3. Ingredients, cooking techniques, utensils, restaurants Pronunciation 1. /É¾/ vs /r/ Grammar 1. Preposiciones: de, con 2. Verbs: poner and traer Culture 1. Typical dishes 2. La sobremesa 3. Las patatas
Weeks 9-10	Unit 4: ¿Dónde vives? Communication 1. Describing towns, neighbourhoods, and cities 2. Asking for/giving directions 3. Talking about the weather 4. Comparing locations Vocabulary 1. Weather, climate, seasons 2. Services and places in the city 3. Adjectives to describe places Grammar 1. Prepositions of place 2. Ser, estar, tener, hay Pronunciation / Intonation 1. Names of countries and cities in the Hispanic world Culture 1. Countries and cities in the Hispanic world 2. Architecture, homes, and intergenerational households
Week 11	Review + Oral Exam
Week 12	Final Exam

Specific Course Requirements

This course is aimed at students with no previous knowledge of the Spanish language. Heritage speakers, students who already speak the language, and students who have studied Spanish in High School should contact Dr Paula Plastic to decide whether they can enroll in another course.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Class Preparation, Participation, Attendance	Formative and Summative	10%	1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9,10
Homework + Quizzes	Formative and Summative	20%	5, 7, 8
Mid-term Exam	Formative and Summative	20%	1, 2, 5
Oral Exam	Formative and Summative	20%	1, 2, 5
Final Exam	Formative and Summative	30%	1, 2, 5, 6

Assessment Related Requirements

Students must attend and participate actively in all tutorials. Students must achieve a minimum of 80% attendance to tutorials in order to succeed in this course.

Assessment Detail

Participation: Students are expected to actively participate in all activities, both in seminars and tutorials.

Homework: Students will be required to complete homework tasks on a weekly basis.

Mid-term Exam: The midterm exam will cover the content studied in Weeks 1-6.

Final Exam: The final exam will include all grammar points studied in class as well as a vocabulary section, a reading comprehension, and a listening component.

Submission

Deadlines

Deadlines are not optional and they are the same for every student taking this course to make your learning experience as fair as possible. You are only allowed to submit one piece of homework or assignment late per semester. Any subsequent late submission will not count towards your grade for Homework + Quizzes.

Extensions are granted on medical, compassionate, or extenuating circumstances recognised under the University’s Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy. The completed extension application form and any documentation (such as a medical or counsellor's certification) should be emailed to the contact listed on the form and submitted at least 5 days before the assessment due date. You will be notified of the result of your request.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator