Modern Language Centre

Evening Language Classes

Course 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 language
one 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

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 America
The 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 irony
Recognising 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 6

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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

Spanish level 6

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