SPAN101 - Introductory Spanish

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

Unit rationale, description and aim

Proficiency in an additional language enhances employment opportunities and cross-cultural awareness.

This unit is designed for beginners and is linked to A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The aim of this unit is to provide students with the ability to understand and use familiar expressions and basic phrases in order to satisfy simple daily needs. The unit focuses on developing students’ Spanish language skills across the listening-speaking-reading-writing spectrum of competencies.

Upon completion of this unit, students should be familiar with the fundamental phonetic, lexical and structural elements of the Spanish language. They should be able to follow simple commands in Spanish, introduce themselves and others, ask and answer questions about personal details and interests, describe daily activities and discuss simple plans. Students should be able to participate in simple interactions and conversations in a familiar context, although at times they may require some assistance.

While the focus is on language, the unit will include cultural and social elements, to increase students’ intercultural awareness and their ability to effectively interact in Spanish.

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Recognise individual sounds and common stress patterns in Spanish (GA5)

LO2 - Demonstrate a basic knowledge of vocabulary and language structures through the use of simple phrases and sentences in familiar everyday contexts (such as greetings, introductions and ordering a meal) (GA5)

LO3 - Identify important cultural aspects of the language reflected in everyday polite forms including formal and informal modes of address (GA1)

LO4 - Communicate in Spanish at the level of proficiency linked to selected ‘Can do’ statements at A1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (GA5).

Graduate attributes

GA1 - demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity

GA5 - demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession 

Content

Topics may include:

• Greetings and Introductions
• Hispanic World: where Spanish is spoken and how pronunciation varies
• The Spanish alphabet and sound system
• Common stress patterns in Spanish
• Family
• Countries and nationalities
• Professions and workplaces
• Meals, food and beverages
• Interests and Leisure activities
• Numbers 1 to 100
• Time expressions

Language Functions and Competencies:

• Greeting people and introducing yourself and others
• Describing oneself and family members
• Asking and answering questions about nationality and profession
• Visiting a Spanish restaurant and ordering a meal
• Talking about free time and leisure interests
• Telling the time
• Using polite expressions and forms of address

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

The approach to language learning and teaching is communicative with new language material presented in context using video and audio dialogues. Students are expected to be active participants in all class activities including individual, pair and group work. Students will begin to develop their independent learning skills through completing a structured learning and development portfolio which provides a weekly record of completed learning tasks.

Assessment strategy and rationale

A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements.

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Students will be advised of textbook requirements in the first week of semester.