MODERN LANGUAGE CENTRE
MODULE SYLLABUS
Title and code number:
SPANISH Stage 1
(4AALSN01/5AALSN01/7AALSN01)
Credit/Value:
Credit Levels 4 & 5 = 15 credits
Credit Level 7 = 20 credits
Prerequisite for entry:
none
Course delivery
2-hour face-to-face tuition x 20 weeks in
two semesters.
Credit Level 7: as above, plus ten onehour Applied Linguistics seminars.
Students are expected to spend approx.
4-8 hours per week in self study
depending on the credit level, including
homework, speaking practice, and
interactive exercises.
See website for semester dates,
timetable and teachers’ surgery hours:
www.kcl.ac.uk/mlc
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE MODULE
At Credit Levels 4 and 5 this module aims to enable the students to:
 develop the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in Spanish in
a range of predictable situations and contexts.
 interact in a simple way orally and in writing in Spanish.
 develop strategies for coping with unfamiliar language or unexpected
responses, such as asking for repetition or clarification.
 use Spanish to reinforce/further their knowledge of other disciplines.
 acquire linguistics skills, tools and knowledge to become independent lifelong learners by using Spanish for academic activities and personal
enrichment.
 develop an insight into the nature of language, culture and society and a
greater degree of intercultural competence.
 work towards the acquisition of a “fifth language skill”, which will enable
students to reflect on different cultural values to help them develop
intercultural sensitivity.
 take responsibility for the nature and quality of their learning.
 act with limited autonomy, under direction or supervision, within defined
guidelines.
In addition to those above, at Credit Level 7, students will:
 appreciate linguistic concepts and aspects of applied linguistics.
 research and critically analyse linguistics-related topics using a wide range
of sources and present it convincingly, using clearly structured, original text.
LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE MODULE
This course is broadly equivalent to A1 Basic User, Breakthrough level of the
Common European Framework. The students will be able to demonstrate
intellectual, transferable and practical skills appropriate to a Credit Level 4
module and in particular will demonstrate the ability to:
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communicate in everyday situations using the four language skills of
speaking, listening, reading and writing at a basic level.
have a basic grammatical knowledge and range of vocabulary.
understand and use familiar everyday expressions and high-frequency
vocabulary in predictable situations.
be able to read, assess and analyze short, simple texts.
produce short, simple texts, e.g. writing an email.
have basic intercultural awareness to understand simple references to
common aspects of the culture, everyday life and current issues in the
country/countries where Spanish is spoken.
objectively compare aspects of the new culture to their own using the tools
of intercultural learning.
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reflect on their own capabilities in key areas and engage in development
activities through guided self-study.
use TEL as a means of communication and as an aid to collaborative and
individual learning.
be self-critical as a learner by using, for example, the MLC Language
Learning Tips document on KEATS.
At Credit Level 5, in addition to the language learning outcomes above, students
will also:
 develop knowledge and understanding of the societies of the countries
where the language is spoken.
 develop the skills to work more independently by designing and
completing a project in L2, for example an ePortfolio recording individual
language learning progression.
 compare and review their progression and their project with other students
through a presentation exercise , fostering a collaborative learning
experience shared by members of the class. These tasks are monitored
but not formally assessed.
At Credit Level 7, in addition to the language learning outcomes above, students
will also:
 interact creatively and flexibly with others as part of a team.
 research and analyse a linguistic topic, evaluating and extracting information
for relevancy and validity from a range of complex written and spoken sources.
 engage in evaluative, analytical thinking and complex problem solving etc.
using their own knowledge and skills.
 work autonomously, with minimal direction from the teacher.
 acquire linguistics skills, tools and knowledge to become independent life-long
learners by using Spanish for target academic activities and personal
enrichment.
 appreciate linguistic concepts and aspects of applied linguistics.
 develop an insight into the nature of language, culture and society and a
greater degree of intercultural competence.
 express ideas confidently and spontaneously in formal and informal
discussions on a range of linguistics related topics.
CLASS DELIVERY AND TEACHING METHODS
Although every class is designed taking into consideration the above objectives,
the structure of particular sessions may vary. The general approach to all Modern
Language Centre classes is communicative - the language is dealt with in social
situations and students are encouraged to participate as much as possible.
Spanish will be used for communication in class and students will be asked
to participate in classroom activities and to contribute to short role-plays,
games and other language-centred activities.
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TOPICS – LEXICAL CONTENT
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Personal and social life (family and friends)
Nationalities, countries, and languages
Travel, transport and directions
Work and professional life
Numbers, calendar, time, dates
Daily routine
Leisure time and hobbies
Accommodation
Shopping
Holidays
Eating and drinking, restaurants
Health and body
Description of people
LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS - PRAGMATICS
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Greetings and introductions, spelling names
Formal and informal functions
Using numbers (birth date, telephone numbers, etc.)
Exchanging personal information
Expressing agreement/disagreement
Asking for and giving directions
Exchanging information on time and dates
Making, accepting and refusing offers
Organizing meetings and appointments
Communicating by phone
Describing people and places
Going shopping
Ordering in a bar/restaurant
Booking a hotel room
Talking about one’s daily routine/free time
Talking about events in the past
GRAMMAR AND USE OF LANGUAGE
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Gender and number of nouns and adjectives
Verbs “to be” and “to have”
Definite and indefinite articles
Negatives
Subject pronouns
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Present tense of regular and some irregular verbs
Present tense of reflexive verbs
Prepositions of time and place
Interrogative, demonstrative and indefinite pronouns
Direct object pronouns
Possessive adjectives and pronouns
Adverbs of time and frequency
Demonstrative adjectives
Irregular verbs in the present tense
Simple past tense (Pretérito Indefinido) of regular and some irregular verbs
Future ir + a
CREDIT LEVEL 5 Additional tasks
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E-Portfolio in English or in the target language
Presentation exercise in class
CREDIT LEVEL 7 Additional tasks
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Applied Linguistics lectures will be available online
One assessed essay in English (1500 words) based on the lectures
COURSE BOOK(S)
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ELE ACTUAL A1, Curso de español para extranjeros, by Virgilio Borobio,
Ediciones SM - Libro del alumno + Cuaderno de ejercicios
Various materials taken from other sources (i.e. other course books, newspapers,
authentic handouts) will be supplied by the teacher during the course.
RECOMMENDED MATERIAL FOR SELF-STUDY

Competencia gramatical en uso: A1, A. González Hermoso, C. Romero
Dueñas by Edelsa . There is a version with the explanations in English
 Students’ Basic Grammar of Spanish (English Edition)- by Difusión.
 Spanish Grammar, Schaum’s outline Series, C. J. Schmitt, by McGrawHill
 Collins Spanish Dictionary or any other good bilingual dictionary
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IT resources for independent learning:
 KEATS material + MLC resources on-line
LANGUAGE RESOURCES CENTRE
In order to support independent learning and the contact with the culture of the
language(s) they are learning, students are encouraged to use the resources in
the Language Resources Centre – LRC (K-1.072, first basement), which
provides a friendly learning environment with state of the art facilities.
During the first weeks of the course, the module teacher will arrange an induction
session for the class in the LRC so that students can familiarize themselves with
the facilities. During term time the LRC will facilitate free speaking practice
sessions as well as a range of workshops on language learning. For a list of
topics and all dates and times, including the opening hours of the LRC, please go
to the website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/mlc/olc/index.aspx
ATTENDANCE
Attendance is compulsory for all language modules. If a student’s attendance
falls to unsatisfactory levels s/he may be removed from the module or prevented
from taking the assessment.
For further information on the attendance requirements of the module please see
the website:
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/mlc/study/modules/compuls.aspx
If students miss a class because of illness or urgent personal matters, it is their
responsibility to catch up on the contents of the missed class by checking the
KEATS module and/or contacting the teacher.
ASSESSMENT
For all details regarding deadlines and dates for assessment see the website
www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/mlc/study/modules/assess/bymod/index.aspx
Formative Assessment
Formative assessment takes place during the Reading Week in Term 2. It does
not count towards the final mark, but failure to submit the work may result in the
student being withdrawn from the module or prevented from sitting the
examinations. It is strongly recommended to complete the formative assessment
as it will provide viable feedback on the student’s progress.
Test: 2 hours
0%
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Feedback
All pieces of formative assessment are normally returned to students within 2
weeks, and the teacher will provide feedback in groups and/or individually. In
addition students can book themselves for individual feedback during surgery
hours. Contact details and applicable surgery hours can be found here:
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/mlc/people/index.aspx
Final (Summative) Assessments
Oral exam: 15-20 min
Exam period: During Revision week, immediately
before the start of Exam Period 2 (May)
40% - if UG student
30% - if PG student
Written exam: 2 hours
Exam period: Period 2
60% - if UG student
40% - if PG student
Credit Level 7: Linguistics essay: 1500 words
Submission period: Period 2
30% - PG students
only
Dictionaries or notes are not allowed during the final examination. Past papers
are available on KEATS.
For more details on the final examinations for this module, including dates,
please see:
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/mlc/study/modules/assess/bymod/index.aspx
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WEEK BY WEEK SYLLABUS
Semester 1
WEEK
1st
week
LEARNING
RESOURCES
ELE Actual A1 Units 1, 2
and 3
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Listen and watch:
nationalities
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=idriu9QO5fo
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Listen and watch:
professions
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=ODvNPnCFnko
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ELE Actual A1 Unit 1
and 2
Card games
ELE Actual A1 Unit 3
Exercise book Unit 3
Guided practice activities
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ELE Actual A1 Unit 2
and 3
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ELE Actual A1 Unit 5
Listen and watch: my
family
https://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=N6I2UpSPze
Y
3rd
week
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2nd
week
CONTENT/TOPICS
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Discussing course
aims/objectives
Greeting people and
introducing yourself
Spelling your name
Asking for and giving
information about nationality
Asking for and giving
information about professions
Numbers 0-20
GRAMMAR
 Personal pronouns:
yo – tú
 Present Indicative:
Verb llamarse (sing)
 Present Indicative
(singular) Verbs: ser y
hablar
 Grammatical gender
 Adjectives of nationality
 Interrogative words:
¿Cuál? Dónde? ¿Qué?
 Present Indicative
(singular): verbs: trabajar,
estudiar
Revision of previous class
Giving and asking for
personal information
Numbers 20 -100
 Revision of verbs: ser,
hablar, trabajar, estudiar
 Present Indicative
(singular ):
vivir, tener
 Information question:
¿Cuál es…….?
¿Cuántos años…?
 Indefinite articles: un,una
Revision of previous class
Describing one’s family
Asking for and talking about
family and friends.
 Demonstrative pronouns:
éste, ésta
 Definite articles: el, la
 More on gramatical
gender
 Interrogatives:
¿Quién?¿Cuántos /
Cuántas? ¿Cómo?
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4th
week
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ELE Actual A1 Unit 5
Exercise book Unit 5
Listening and
communicative activities
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5th
week
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Picture description
ELE Actual A1 Unit 7
Exercise book Unit 7
Reading: Bolivia, Aula
Internacional 1, P 128,
129.
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Asking for and providing
personal information: age,
marital status
Describing members of the
family: personality and
physical characteristics
Describing clothes and
accessories
Revision of content covered in
previous sessions
Describing places and cities
and their inhabitants
Expressing cause and effect
th
8
week
9th
week
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Present Indicative:
Verbs estar y tener
Number and gender of
nouns and adjectives and
their agreement
Possessive adjectives
Quantifiers: Muy, bastante
Verbs ser, hablar,
trabajar, estudiar y
vivir (3rd person
plural)
 Use of grammatical
structures covered in
previous sessions
 Prepositions and
adverbs of place:
en, cerca (de),
lejos (de)
 Verb ser for description
 Verb estar for location
 Porque and por
Reading week
6th
Week
7th
week
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Group presentation on
‘Mi pueblo, mi ciudad’
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ELE Actual A1 Unit 8
Teacher’s handouts
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ELE Actual A1 Unit 8
Exercise Book Unit 8
Listen and watch: my
house
https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=Qs3kUMqRvK
Y
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 Oral presentation
 Describing one’s house and its
furniture
 Describing spaces and objects
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ELE Actual A1 Unit 9
Exercise Book Unit 9
Activity ‘ My pen friend’
Listen and watch: Food
https://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=9XvSK0N4Cvg
Feedback to Reading Week
Task
 Describing a house or a room
II
 Talking about objects and their
location
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Talking about likes and
dislikes
Expressing agreement or
disagreement
Expressing food preferences
Spanish and Latin American
food specialties
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 Revision of ser/estar and
prepositions of place
 Verbs: estar, haber, ser,
tener
 Verbs: haber
 Vocabulary related to
furniture and the house
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Indefinite articles: un,
una, unos, unas
Prepositions and adverbs
of place
Definite articles: el, la, los,
las
Verbs gustar y encantar
Indirect object pronouns
Adverbs: también,
tampoco, sí, no
Vocabulary related to
food and drinks
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10th
week
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11th
Week
Activities adapted from
Aula Internacional 1, Unit
5
Card game
ELE Actual A1 Unit 10
Listen and watch: In my
neighbourhood
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=RBbPffA3YlA
 Activities ‘muy’ and
‘mucho’
 ELE Actual A1 Unit 10
 Picture description
12th
week
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Revision: expressing
agreement or disagreement
Describing the area where
you live
Talking about public places
and timetables
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Revision of Gustar
Adverbs: también,
tampoco, sí, no
Lo que más, menos me
gusta es…
Verbs: ser, estar, haber,
tener
Quantifiers: mucho/a/s
bastante/s, poco/a/s, etc.
Vocabulary related to
telling the time
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Describing the weather
Asking and providing different
timetables
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Verbs: ser, estar, haber,
tener
Prepositions: a, de, por
Vocabulary related to the
weather
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Revision/catch-up classes or one-to-one
tutorial support as agreed with the teacher
Semester 2
WEEK
1nd
week
2rd
week
3th
week
LEARNING
RESOURCES
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ELE Actual A1 Unit 11
Communicative activities
Listen and watch: the
routine
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=M0iG68Of3y4
ELE Actual A1 Unit 11
Exercise book Unit 11
Flashcards
Reading: Aula Internacional
1, P. 135, “Ritmos de vida”
ELE Actual A1 Unit 12
Exercise book Unit 12
Listen and watch:
Weekends
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=GZMn-e7IsT4
CONTENT/TOPICS
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General revision
Talking about daily routine
Vocabulary related to daily
routine
GRAMMAR
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Daily routine II
Talking daily activities and
free-time activities
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 Talking about leisure and free
time activities
 Vocabulary related to free time
activities
10
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Present Indicative
(singular) of regular and
irregular verbs (ir,
empezar, volver,
acostarse, hacer, salir)
Reflexive pronouns: me,
te, se
Reflexive verbs in the
present tense
Revision of previous
grammatical items
Revision of present tense
of regular and irregular
verbs
Reflexive verbs II
Present Indicative:
singular & plural
-Regular verbs
-Irregular and reflexive
verbs (acostarse, volver,
hacer, salir, ir)
4th
week
5th
week
 ELE Actual A1 Unit 12
 Exercise book Unit 12
 Oral activity adapted from
Etapas plus A2.1
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6th
week
8th
week
9th
week
10th
week
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ELE Actual A1 Unit 13
Exercise book Unit 13
Talking about work and
studies: positive and negative
aspects
 Talking about frequency
 Talking about means of
transport
 Revision of previous
grammatical content
 Adverbs of frequency:
siempre, a veces, nunca
 Expressions of frequency:
una vez/dos veces al día,
semana, etc.
 Quantifiers: Mucho,
bastante, poco, etc.
 Prepositions: de, a, desde,
hasta, etc.
Reading week: formative assessment
 ELE Actual A1 Unit 15
 Exercise book Unit 15
 Reading: Aula 1, P.142:
Mujeres
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ELE Actual A1 Unit 15
Exercise book Unit 15
Listen and watch: Talking
about yesterday
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=tcMuwer-SpE
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ELE Actual A1 Unit 15
Teacher’s handouts
Card games
5th
Week 
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11th
week
 Talking about frequency of
actions and habitual actions
Handouts and worksheets
Visual aid
Listen and watch
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=nabdNurBX5E
 Old paper: Practice and
revision for the written
exam
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Feedback on Formative
Assessment
 Describing events in the past
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Talking about last weekend
Vocabulary related to past
activities
Talking about past events (III)
Asking about past events and
related vocabulary
 Expressing plans and projects
 Talking about future actions
 Preparation for the Final Exams
 General revision
 Question time
 Introduction to the form and
use of the regular Preterit
Tense
 Adverbs of time in relation
to past events
 Preterit Tense:
Irregular forms
(hacer, venir, ir,
ser, estar)
 Adverbs of time:
ayer, hace 2 días, hace
una semana…
 Preterite Tense: regular
and irregular forms
 Adverbs of time: luego,
despues de, antes de,
finalmente
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Future Ir a + infinitvo
Adverbs of time:
hoy, mañana, más tarde
 General revision
The syllabus may vary according to students’ needs. Term times and teaching
dates can be found here:
(http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/depts/mlc/study/modules/dates.aspx) ASR 07/2016
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