Introduction to Spanish Language and Culture

Course goals

After completing this course students are able to:

- understand and demonstrate general knowledge and insight in Spanish and Latin American Culture, Art and History from 400 AD until the present moment and are able to interact and communicate in Spanish as basic users. Exit level is A2 of the CEFR and intermediate low IL as defined in the ACTFL Guidelines 2012.
 
In general, students will be able to understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment);  communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters and describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.


Relationship between assessment and learning goals:
 
More specifically, the students:

1. Listening

1. Can understand phrases and expressions related to areas of most immediate priority (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment) provided speech is clearly and slowly articulated.
2. Can generally identify the topic of discussion around them and extract the essential information of simple messages, announcements and short recorded passages when those are delivered clearly and slowly.
3. Can identify the main point of TV news items where the visual supports the commentary.

2. Reading

1. Can understand short, simple texts on familiar matters of a concrete type which consist of high frequency everyday- or job/study-related language.
2. Can understand basic standard routine letters on familiar topics and simple personal letters.
3. Can find specific, predictable information in simple everyday material (advertisements, prospectuses, menus, etc.) and understand everyday signs and notices.
4. Can identify specific information in simpler written material such as brochures and short newspaper articles describing events.  
5. Can understand the storyline of a short and simple graduated novel.

3. Spoken interaction and production

1. Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters to do with work/study and free time.
2. Can ask and answer questions and exchange ideas and information o familiar topics in predictable everyday situations.
3. Can ask for and provide everyday goods and services (info about travel and public transport; transactions in shops, order a meal).
4. Can make a short and simple rehearsed presentation describing people, living or working conditions, daily routines, a city and its traditions, etc., with basic information.
5. Can tell a story in a simple list of points and describe everyday aspects of their environment.

4. Writing

1. Can write short and simple essays about familiar topics (daily life, family, hobbies, etc.).
2. Can write a very brief report or a personal letter telling a recent experience, expressing their likes and dislikes about it.

5. Cultural knowledge

1. Can show general knowledge about geographical and demographical facts of Spain and Latin America.
2. Can understand clear references and demonstrate general knowledge about the main historical events of Spain and Latin America.
3. Can show general knowledge about Hispanic artists and artistic movements from the Modern Age until the present time.
4. Can understand and demonstrate general knowledge about traditions, society and life style in the Hispanic world and compare them to those of their own country.
5. Can establish cross-disciplinary relations between the facts studied during this course and other disciplines of their studies.

Content