Modern Language Centre Evening Language ClassesCourse Description Spanish level 6 How long does the course last? 3 x 10 week terms with 10 classes per term. Lessons take place once a week and last 1.5 hours each. This gives a total of 45 hours tuition. Who is the course for? The course is aimed at a wide range of students with a general interest in Spanish with:a completed Level 5 of the MLC Evening Programme a high level of proficiency in the language a recent A level or equivalent and further contact with the languageone of the following qualifications: B2/C1 of the CEFR, level 4 of the NQF proficiency level of the Asset Languages qualifications What are the objectives of the course? To improve existing language skills to a near-native standard in order to operate in a wide variety of situations and to achieve the equivalent of C1/C2 level of the CEFR, level 6 of the NQF. By the end of the course you will: recognise the implicit meaning in written and spoken texts make presentations on various subjects express yourself spontaneously in complex situations, analyse written and/or spoken material improve your intercultural competence further by accessing political, historical and cultural information from a variety of sources How is the course taught? A communicative approach is used. All four skills (speaking, reading, listening and writing) are practised, with the main emphasis on speaking. Students engage in interactive language activities, participating in group and pair work according to a syllabus based on systematic grammatical progression.Students will also be offered guidance in self-study and be set optional homework tasks. What course can I do next? After completing all three terms of Level 6, students may wish to join a Contemporary Culture course on the Assessed Module Programme. Course outline Topics Varieties of Spanish in Spain and Latin America Customs and Traditions Popular Beliefs Humour Ecology Spanish level 6Page 2 The media Current political, economic and social developments in Spain and Latin America Literature in Spain and Latin America Indigenous Cultures Festivities and celebrations Cinema, theatre and music The oral tradition of Los Cuenteros in Spain and Latin AmericaThe students will also be given the opportunity to present a topic of their own choice to discuss in class Functions Using idioms in Spain and Latin America and any subtle differences Recognising cultural and linguistic similarities and differences between the various regions of Spain and Latin America Recognising and producing formal and informal texts Expressing doubt, uncertainty and reluctance to answer Recognising and using ironyRecognising proverbial phrases: their uses and cultural implications in Spain and Latin America Using debating techniques: being persuasive, avoiding a topic, answering questions effectively Grammar Indicative and Subjunctive Moods If Clauses Conditional Uses of Ser and Estar Verbal Periphrasis Change of meaning of verbs with prepositions Connectors Adverbs Expressions of agreement and disagreement in the Indicative and the Subjunctive Expressions of doubt and partial agreement Idioms in different Spanish speaking countries False friends Direct and Indirect Complements: lesmo, lasmo and losmo Reported Speech Future possibility synonyms and antonyms Learning resources Reading material will be recommended by the teacher at the start of the course. The teacher will supply a variety of additional learning material, including authentic new media and video sources. For a list of bookshops where you may be able to purchase text books please see our web page: www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/mlc/about/facilities/shops.aspx Online language learning resources: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/mlc/lrc/language-resources/spanish.aspx Spanish level 6Page 3 Independent Study Research indicates that successful language learners revise new material and review their progress on a regular basis. The Language Resources Centre (LRC), situated in room K-1.072 in level minus one of the Strand Campus, houses a wide collection of learning material including text and grammar books, magazines and newspapers, CDs, DVDs, satellite television and self-access e-learning language programmes. For details on LRC opening times, please see our website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/mlc/lrc/index.aspx Date of last revision:July 2014