Spanish: Language and Culture

Recommended Prerequisites

First degree with at least 60 ECTS in Spanish.

C1 level of Spanish.

Teaching Methods

Teaching is task-based rather than expository, and participants are expected to engage actively with a variety of analytical tasks followed by feedback and discussion. Class interaction takes place principally through pair-work and group-work in which participants are encouraged to formulate inductively their understanding of the Spanish grammar and culture. Active participation in class is expected through prior study and preparation of class material. The teaching method is thus student-centered, encouraging dialogue, active partycipation in class and group work.

Learning Outcomes

This course will enable students to

1. Deepen their knowledge of the Spanish language and culture as prospective teachers;

2. Identify and correct common learner errors and provide appropriate feedback;

3. Enhance their writing and speaking skills in Spanish and their knowledge of Spanish culture;

4. Develop the following abilities:

- Analysis of and reflection on Spanish grammar, vocabulary and phonetics, as well as culture;

- Analysis of and reflection on issues related to oral and written discourse in Spanish;

- Analysis of and reflection on issues related to the structure and syntax of the Spanish language

- Communication, argumentation and critical debate.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

A. The Spanish Language

1. Morphosyntax

1.1. Nominal syntagm. Nominal morphology, noun complements. Forms and uses of adjectives.

1.2. Verb tenses and modes.

1.3. Joining and combining clauses; addition, contrast and opposition; time, place and mode; cause, end, consequence, condition, concession. Grammatical devices for creating unity and cohesion. Interconnection between verb tenses and modes.

1.4. Other general points: ser/estar (to be), pronouns, prepositions, comparison.

2. Text construction: connectors, phoric relations and other devices for achieving coherence and cohesion.

3. Phonetic issues.

4. Lexical issues.

5. Global and integrated approach to the skills involved in communicative competence.

 

B. Spanish culture

1. Spanish culture in literature, art and cinema.

2. Cultural interference.

3. Interculturalism.

Head Lecturer(s)

Elena Gamazo Carretero

Assessment Methods

Continuous Assessment
Project: 30.0%
Mini Tests: 30.0%
Oral presentation of project work followed by student-seminar discussion: 40.0%

Bibliography

Alvar, M., ed. (2001). Introducción a la Lingüística española. Madrid: Ariel.

Celis, A, y Heredia, J.R. (coords.) (1998). Lengua y cultura en la enseñanza del español a extranjeros. Actas del VII Congreso de ASELE. Cuenca: Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha.

Gil Fernández, J. (2007). Fonética para profesores de español: de la teoría a la práctica. Madrid: Arco/Libros.

Gutierrez Ordóñez, S. (1996). Introducción a la semántica funcional. Madrid: Síntesis.

Martí Sanchez, M. (2008). Los marcadores en español L/E: conectores discursivos y operadores pragmáticos. Madrid: Arco/Libros.

Matte Bon, F. (1992). Gramática comunicativa del español. Madrid: Difusión.

Pons Borderia, S. (2005). La enseñanza de la pragmática en la clase de E/LE. Madrid: Arco/Libros.

Real Academia Española (2009). Nueva gramática de la lengua española. Madrid: Espasa.

VV.AA. (2003). La interculturalidad en la enseñanza de español como segunda lengua/lengua extranjera. Monográfico de la revista Carabela. Madrid: SGEL.