Spanish Online Study and Conversation (Online)

This online adult Spanish class is designed for students who have already achieved a B1 level of proficiency in Spanish and wish to further enhance their language skills. The course combines the curriculum for A Level Spanish and the CEFR B2 Spanish specification.

The primary literary work studied throughout the year will be Como Agua Para Chocolate by Laura Esquivel.

The course aims to develop students' reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, as well as their cultural understanding of the Spanish-speaking world.

This course is comprised of 3 terms. You will need to enrol and pay for each term separately.

• Term One (13/09/2023 - 22/11/2023)
• Term Two (10/01/2024 - 20/03/2024)
• Term Three (27/03/2024 - 19/06/2024)

Topics

Literature and Film

• Introduction to famous Spanish and Latin American authors
• Analysis of key themes and characters in Como Agua Para Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
• Comparison of the novel with its film adaptation

Current Affairs and Social Issues

• Discussion of current events and social issues in the Spanish-speaking world
• Analysis of newspaper articles and opinion pieces
• Vocabulary related to expressing opinions
• Vocabulary related to the topics discussed
• Structuring and organizing arguments in Spanish

Cultural Studies

• Exploration of cultural aspects of the Spanish-speaking world
• Investigating cultural traditions and festivals
• Exploring famous Spanish and Latin American artists and musicians
• Discussing and analysing artworks and musical compositions
• Comparisons between different Spanish-speaking countries

Grammar and Syntax

• Subjunctive mood
• Conditional and future tenses
• Direct and indirect object pronouns
• Indirect speech
• Conditional perfect and past perfect
• Colloquialisms and their usage

Speaking and Listening

• Delivering presentations on various topics
• Debating controversial topics
• Understanding colloquialisms and their usage
• Listening exercises based on authentic audio materials
• Role-playing scenarios for real-life situations
• Pronunciation and intonation practice

Writing Skills

• Preparing presentations on various topics
• Differences between formal and informal writing styles

You should have a minimum of B1 Spanish to participate in this course, which equates to around 500 hours of formal tuition. You are encouraged to completed Term 1 in order to progress to Term 2, and so on, however, students are welcome to join if they have appropriate prior learning in Spanish. This can be discussed with the tutor.

This is an online course. You must have access to a suitable computer with a webcam and microphone (or headset), connected to the internet. You should be comfortable with using a computer in order to access the lessons, learning resources and homework tasks. This course uses Microsoft Teams and the Microsoft 365 platform. You will be provided with login details and basic training in order to access these services.

This course contains no formal qualifications.

This is a continuous programme of study, comprised of 3 terms each year. You will need to enrol and pay for each term separately. Your tutor will help you to re-enrol at the end of each term. Students may wish to continue participating in an ongoing study and conversation group or consider seeking formal qualifications with another provider after successfully completing this course.

Progress on this course will be tested through tutor led activities and exercises, homework tasks, quizzes and informal feedback and discussion.

You will be expected to undertake around 1 or 2 hours of homework outside of class, including some project and presentation work each term.

Work placement is not part of this programme.

The fee for this course is for the first term only. You will need to pay for each term separately. The tutor may recommend books or other resources to support your learning which can be purchased online or from a local bookshop. These are optional and are not included in the course fee.