Modern Language Centre

Evening Language Classes

Course Description

Spanish Language through

Literature Levels 5&6
How long does the course last?
3 x 10 week terms. 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 and a specific interest in
Literature with:
a completed Level 4 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 through the study and analysis of a broad range of
literary texts (poems, stories, and works published in print), 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:
have acquired an extensive vocabulary which can be used in multiple linguistic fields
deal satisfactorily with difficult syntax and complex registers of the language
recognise the implicit meaning in written and spoken texts
give presentations on various subjects
express yourself spontaneously in complex situations and analyse written and/or spoken material

th

have a wider knowledge of 20 century literature written in Spanish, in Spain and in Latin America
improve your intercultural competence further by accessing literary, cultural and historical
information from the texts analysed.

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 Language through Literature, students may wish to join a Contemporary
Culture course on the Assessed Module Programme, or a Level 6 Course in the Evening Programme.

Course outline
Term 1
Topics
Extracts from Spanish and Latin American Literature
Language varieties in Spanish and Latin American Literature
Gender Relations in literature
Historical overview of Post-War Spain
Social and historical representations in Literature
Functions
Narrating events
Describing people, objects and situations
Recognising and using irony
Recognizing different text varieties
Summarizing texts
Expressing opinions and point of view
Grammar
Colloquial expressions
Revision of indicative mood
Revision of subjunctive mood
Different uses of subjunctive
Extension of vocabulary using synonyms and antonyms

Term 2
Topics
Current political, economic and social developments in Spain and Latin America
Humour and irony in literature
Representations of love and death in literature
Literature and the media
Functions
Reading and analysing different types of text
Manipulating literary texts
Expressing opinions and points of view
Expressing probabilities and possibilities
Arguing and debating
Grammar
Extension of vocabulary related to literature
False friends
Idiomatic expressions
Conditional clauses
Use of verbs with prepositions
Use of connectors
The passive voice

Spanish Language through Literature levels 5&6

Page 2

Term 3
Topics
Political, economic and social developments in Spain during the Transition period
Representations of illness and health in literature
Representations of war in literature
Human relationships in literature
Functions
Expressing doubt and uncertainty
Expressing agreement and disagreement
Using idioms in Spain and Latin America
Using debating techniques
Describing historical events
Grammar
Expressions of agreement and disagreement using the Indicative and the Subjunctive
Uses of the Imperative
Advanced use of prepositions
Advanced use of pronouns
Direct and indirect speech

Learning resources
Each term, students will work on different literary texts, from prose to poetry and theatre, which will form the
basis for their learning of the topics, grammar and functions itemized. These are the selected texts:
Term1
Jorge Luis Borges, Los justos
Camilo Jos Cela, La colmena (fragments)
Julio Cortzar, Casa tomada
Antonio Machado, Todo pasa y todo queda
Nicanor Parra, La vbora
Term2
Federico Garca Lorca, Llanto por Ignacio Snchez Mejas
Gabriel Garca Mrquez, El ahogado ms hermoso del mundo
Juan Jos Mills, Estn locos
Augusto Monterroso, micro-stories
Alejandra Pizarnik, Los posedos entre lilas
Term3
Rafael Cadenas, Derrota
Antonio Gamoneda, poems from El Libro del fro
Juan Mars, Teniente Bravo
Pablo Neruda, Walking Around
Juan Rulfo, Diles que no me maten

Textbook and exercise book:

Texts will be provided by the teacher (electronically or photocopies). Exercises and additional material will
also be provided by the teacher.
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

Spanish Language through Literature levels 5&6

Page 3

Online language learning resources:

http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/mlc/lrc/language-resources/spanish.aspx

Independent Study
Research indicates that successful language learners revise new material and review their progress on a regular
basis. The Open Learning Centre (OLC), 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, CD-ROMs and self-access e-leaning language programmes.
For details on OLC opening times, please see our website:
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/mlc/lrc/index.aspx

Date of last revision: July 2014

Spanish Language through Literature levels 5&6

Page 4