SPAN 1004 - Beginners Spanish B

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

The aim of this course is to continue with the 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.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code SPAN 1004
    Course Beginners Spanish B
    Coordinating Unit European Languages, and Linguistics
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites SPAN 1003
    Incompatible SPAN 1001, SPAN 1002
    Assessment 8 x online tests 20%, Mid-Semester test 20%, Final test 30%, 600 word composition 20%, Tutorial participation 10%
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Marta Montero Lomas

    Course Timetable

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


    The teaching components are as follows:

    - One two-hour seminar X 12 weeks   
     
    - Two one-hour tutorials per week X 12 weeks.
  • Learning Outcomes
    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 sentences and paragraphs in Spanish of an intermediate-level complexity.
    3 Maintain a basic conversation in Spanish of fifteen minutes or longer.
    4 Talk about present, past and future events in Spanish.
    5 Enhance their understanding and use the grammar structures of the Spanish language.
    6 Read, understand and synthetise 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.

    4, 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.

    3, 4, 5, 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, 3, 6, 7

    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.

    3, 4, 10
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    You will need a workbook, Español en 3-2-1Gramática A1/A2 (2022). This is the same workbook used in SPAN 1003. 
    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
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    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.

    1 X 1 hour lecture per week 12 hours per semester
    1 X 1 hour online lecture 12 hours per semester
    2 X 1 hour tutorials per 11 weeks 22 hours per semester
    3 hours homework completion per week 36 hours per semester
    1 hour online quizzes preparation and completion per week 12 hours per semester
    2 hours reading per week 24 hours per semester
    10 hours oral presentation preparation 10 hours per semester
    16 hours composition preparation and writing per semester 16 hours per semester
    12 hours test preparation per semester 12 hours
    Total 156 hours per semester
     
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1

    Introduction to SPAN 1004 

    Structure of the course, reading expectations, learning outcomes, skills, requirements, and assessment due dates.

    Weeks

    2-3

    Unidad 1: Mi barrio ideal 

    Grammar: Present tense, immediate future, quantifiers (algún, ningún, mucho), prepositions, adverbs of place (a, en, al lado de, lejos, cerca, etc.).
    Vocabulary: Services and places in cities, adjectives to describe neighbourhoods and cities.
    Culture: Hispanic neighbourhoods and architecture.

    Weeks

    4-5

    Unidad 2: Lo que llevaré en el futuro

    Grammar: Future simple, demonstratives (este, esta, estos, etc.), tener que + infinitive, the verbs ir and preferir, que + noun, cuál + noun, cuál/cuáles
    Vocabulary: Items of clothing, accessories, everyday items, numbers over 100, colours.
    Culture: Hispanic fashion and clothing.

    Weeks

    6-7

    Unidad 3: Una vida de película

    Grammar: Form and uses of the preterite, time markers to talk about the past, prepositions desde, durante, and hasta, ir/irse, empezar/empezar a + infinitivo
    Vocabulary: Cinema, biographies, achievements.
    Culture: Hispanic cinema, celebrities, and events.
    Week 8 Midterm Exam

    Weeks

    9-10

    Unidad 4:Nos estamos cuidando 

    Grammar: The gerund (regular and irregular form), estar + gerund, the conditional poder and importar, the verb doler, uses of ser and estar, form and some uses of the affirmative imperative.
    Vocabulary:  Greetings and farewells, verbs of politeness (poder, importar, ayudar), body parts, health and sports vocabulary, illnesses, aches and symptoms, moods.
    Culture: Politeness (behaviour in specific situations), body language in the Spanish-speaking world, Hispanic natural remedies.
    Week 11 Review + Oral Exam
    Week 12 Final Exam
    Specific Course Requirements
    SPAN 1004 is the second part of the beginner's course. If you have studied Spanish before, please talk to your Course Coordinator to explore other options.
  • Assessment

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

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

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


    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 test: 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
  • 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.