Modern Foreign Language Modules.

Overview

The aim of this module is to introduce you to the study of a language to communicate effectively in basic every day, educational or work situations and to engage this study within the culture of the country or countries in which it is used.

The module will cover essential everyday topics and vocabulary, as well as some basic terminology related to travelling, studying and/or working in the countries where the language is used. Practical skills such as oral expressions, written communications, IT vocabulary, reading comprehension and basic translation will be covered. Language structures and grammar will be presented and practised in context. It will also include the study of some general aspects about these countries and most important cultural distinctions, for example, geography and political organization, food, family, university life, major festivities, daily life and leisure.

• Credit rating:  20 Credits
• Total student learning time:  200 hours
• Contact hours : 50 hours
• Independent Study:  150 hours (recommended 4/5 hours per week)
• Prerequisite:  no previous knowledge required

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module you should be able to:

1. demonstrate competence in the use of the language at the level studied during the year in the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and to apply this competence and  necessary language structures to carry out different tasks with enough accuracy;
2. read and understand familiar names, words and simple sentences in a variety of texts and extract information from materials such as notices, adverts, prospectus, timetables, menus… as well as listen and understand short announcements;
3. write short texts, notes, communications and messages using a variety of media, for example postcards, emails, blogs, forms, and provide enough information on familiar topics and activities;
4. communicate orally with some success, using and understanding a series of everyday expressions and phrases and exchanging information;
5. demonstrate awareness and enough general knowledge of the most prominent cultural features of one or several countries where the language is used.

Assessment

The module is assessed as follows and all three components are compulsory.

1. A portfolio of language tasks completed during the course covering all language skills. It will contain two end-of-term writing and reading tests, two listening tasks, and one piece of assessed coursework per chapter or unit covered (it could include short compositions, preparation for oral tasks, grammar and vocabulary exercises, reading comprehension, translations, cultural issues…) At the end of the module the portfolio will be awarded an overall mark. This assignment is worth 50% of the module's final mark and equivalent to 2,000 words.
2. An end of year written examination which will include grammar and vocabulary exercises, reading comprehension, writing tasks, some basic translation and questions on the general knowledge about the culture. This examination is worth 40% of the module's assessment and equivalent to 1,500 words.
3. A speaking test based on the work done in class. It could be role plays, questions and answers and general conversation and takes place at the end of the course. This test is worth 10 % of the module’s assessment and equivalent to 500 words.

Overview

This module’s aim is to consolidate what you learnt at level 4 and expand your ability to use effectively a language to communicate in possible every day, educational or professional situations, contextualizing its acquisition within the culture(s) of the country or countries in which it is used and to develop your autonomy as an independent language learner.

The module will cover more every day, educational and/or professional topics and related terminology with increased cultural contextualization. It will also include the study of specific issues about the country or countries where the language is spoken, including usual practices and important cultural differences. We will study aspects of geography, climate, gastronomy, traditions, festivals and celebrations. Some research on a topic of specific interest by each student will be included.

• Credit rating:  20 credits
• Total student learning time  : 200 hours
• Contact hours:  50 hours
• Independent Study:  150 hours (recommended 4/5 hours per week)
• Prerequisite:  Year 1 (Level 4) or equivalent

Learning outcomes

By the end of this module you should be able to:

1. demonstrate increased competence in the use of the language at the level studied during the course in the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and to apply this competence to carry out a greater number of languages tasks with more accuracy in the use of grammatical rules and structures, as compared to level 4;
2. communicate effectively in simple and routine tasks that require a direct exchange of information using the appropriate spoken language as well as talk about a specific topic prepared in advance;
3. understand simple texts and electronic communications that mainly consist of high frequency language and find specific information in them; understand the main points of clear standard speech and catch the gist in some conversations, messages and announcements;
4. write basic compositions on topics that are familiar or of personal interest using connected text and translate key phrases and idioms;
5. demonstrate more understanding and general knowledge of the peoples and cultural features of one or several countries where the language is used.

Assessment

The module is assessed as follows and all three components are compulsory :

1. A portfolio of language tasks completed during the course covering all language skills. The portfolio will contain two end-of-term writing and reading tests, two listening tasks, and one piece of assessed coursework per chapter or unit covered (these could be samples of short compositions, preparation for oral tasks, grammar and vocabulary exercises, reading comprehension, electronic communications, translations, cultural issues…) At the end of the module an overall mark will be awarded. This assignment is worth 50% of the module’s assessment and equivalent to 2,000 words.
2. A written examination which will include grammar and vocabulary exercises, reading comprehension, writing tasks, some basic translation and questions on the general knowledge about the culture. This assignment is worth 40% of the module's assessment equivalent to 1,500 words.
3. A 5 minutes oral presentation in the target language on a topic prepared in advance by you and followed by some related questions: it could on a cultural aspect of particular interest to each individual student. This assignment is worth 10% of the module’s assessment and equivalent to 500 words,

Overview

The aim of this module is to build on your knowledge of the language and culture(s) where it is used in order to achieve a higher level of fluency and accuracy to function more confidently and effectively in a wider variety of situations with better understanding of cultural differences and less language barriers as well as to encourage you to transfer second language learning skills to other disciplines.

The module will cover more complex everyday topics and vocabulary as well as educational and/or professional related terminology. You will be able to apply your knowledge of the language to practical tasks and activities such as oral presentations and debates, text analysis and summary or translation. It will also include the study of specific cultural issues about the country or countries where the language is spoken, its usual practices and important cultural differences. We  will explore aspects of national identity, famous people, art and current affairs. In this context each student will research a topic of interest using a variety of resources.

• Credit rating: 20 credits
• Total student learning time: 200 hours
• Teaching hours: 50 hours
• Independent Study: 150 hours (recommended 4/5 hours per week)
• Prerequisite: Year 2 (Level 5) or equivalent

Learning outcomes

By the end of this module you should be able to:

1. demonstrate a higher level of fluency, accuracy and confidence (as compared to level 5) in the use of the language at the level studied during the course in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing;
2. communicate effectively in the domains in which the language occurs - personal, educational or professional - using the appropriate register, style and idioms and specific vocabulary;
3. understand, translate or act upon a variety of texts and communications and engage in some research using materials and sources in the target language to deliver oral presentations with increased accuracy;
4. take part in some debates or negotiations in the language showing understanding of other people’s opinions and the ability to express personal points of view;
5. understand in more depth the culture(s) associated with the target language to enable you to react and respond flexibly to cultural differences and to conduct more research in topic(s) of your interest.

Assessment

The module is assessed as follows and all three components are compulsory:

1. A portfolio of language tasks completed during the year covering all language skills. This will include written compositions, grammar and vocabulary exercises, listening and reading comprehension and preparation and notes for oral presentations and debates. Some research on cultural issues should be present too. Two controlled assessments (end-of-term reading, writing and listening tests) will also be included. An overall mark will be awarded at the end of the module. This assignment is worth 50%of the module's final mark and equivalent to 2,000 words.
2. An end of year written examination which will include grammar and vocabulary exercises, reading comprehension, writing tasks, some written interpretation and questions on the general knowledge about the culture. This examination is worth 30% of the module's assessment and equivalent to 1,200 words.
3. A 10 minute oral presentation in the target language based on student’s own reading and research on a cultural topic of their interest and choice. This presentation is worth 20% of the module’s assessment and equivalent to 800 words.