OVERVIEW

Spanish Language and Translation I (12 CFU) includes a year-long Spanish Language Course and a first-semester Theoretical Module.

Spanish I as a third language (6 CFU) covers only the Spanish Language Course and corresponds to the Lingua Spagnola I (code 55874) of the degree course in Modern Languages and Cultures (LCM).

Erasmus students should contact the coordinating professor before including the teaching in the learning agreement (ana.deheriz@unige.it).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students will have acquired basic knowledge and skills in the field of Spanish linguistics (particularly concerning its phonetic, morphological, and lexicological aspects, with a contrastive approach with Italian), in mediation, and in text typology. Furthermore, thanks to the support of language exercises conducted by language teachers, students will reach the B2 level of the European Framework of Reference.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Theoretical Module (Ana de Hériz)

The objective of the course is to provide students with the tools to understand the different linguistic components of Spanish that are used in communicative activities, paying special attention to the phonological/phonetic, morphological and lexical levels, in order to encourage an approach that contrasts with Italian and/or the mother tongues of the learners. Different variants of Spanish in the world will be considered.

Students who decide not to attend the lectures in the theory module are required to notify the Teacher (Ana Lourdes de Hériz).

Spanish Language Course

• The 1st year Spanish Language Course aims at a linguistic-cultural preparation at the B2 level:

“Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options”.

• Introductory translation exercises will also be carried out.

TEACHING METHODS

Theoretical lessons and language exercises. It is advisable to be registered in the appropriate areas of Aulaweb.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

For the Theoretical Module:

- Basic concepts of Phonetics and Phonology

- Spanish vowels and consonants

- Basic concepts of Lexical Morphology and Lexicology

- Flexion

- Derivation

- Composition

- Acronyms and abbreviations

- Contrastive lexical differences between Spanish and Italian

For Lettorato:

- CEFR B2 level descriptors.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For the theoretical module: the class notes and some articles published by the teacher in the AulaWeb portal.

For the Lettorato: 

1. E. Bayón et al. Frecuencias directo. Español para el siglo XXI. A1-A2-B1. Libro del estudiante. Madrid: Edinumen
2. F. Fernández et al. Frecuencias directo. Español para el siglo XXI. A1-A2-B1. libro de ejercicios. Madrid: Edinumen
3. En ruta. Gramática y vocabulario de español. Niveles A1-B2 hacia el C. Editorial La Scuola/Edinumen (2023).

 2nd Semester:

• Gabriel García Márquez. Relato de un náufrago. Literatura Random House

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ANA LOURDES DE HERIZ RAMON (President)

ERICA LACANNA

ANA BELEN SERRANO DE LA IGLESIA

CHIARA VALENTE

LESSONS

LESSONS START

All lessons will begin at the start of the first semester.

Lectures for this course begin in the first week of the first semester.

PLEASE READ THIS VERY CAREFULLY!

THEORETICAL MODULE TIMETABLE. Teacher: Ana Lourdes de Hériz (phonology and phonetics, morphology, lexicography)

• Tuesday, 10.00–11.00 (aula L, polo didattico). Starts 29 September
• Thursday, 9.00–11.00 (aula G, polo didattico).

ABOUT THE LETTORATO. Tutors: Erica Lacanna, Chiara Valente, Anne Serrano

IMPORTANT: The LETTORATO lessons will begin on Tuesday 29 September (aula B, polo didattico), at 2.00 pm, with an introduction to the subject and a placement test for students who have already studied Spanish or have some knowledge of the language. All students who have been assigned Spanish must attend this lesson (including absolute beginners to learn Spanish for the first time, those who have studied it at school for several years, and native Spanish speakers, etc.). Students holding a DELE Diploma from the Instituto Cervantes must bring a photocopy of their certificate showing their test scores to this first session (a certificate stating only ‘APTO’ is not sufficient). Those who can prove they have obtained the DELE certificate will not be required to take the placement test.

All these procedures will be used to divide you into 2 groups for the first 40 hours of the language course, based on your starting level, as explained below.

LETTORATO timetable

• Tuesday 29 September: everyone together at 2.00 pm (Classroom B, Teaching Centre)
• Thursday 1 October: lessons will already be held in two separate groups (beginners and advanced). The groups will be announced via Aulaweb notices on Wednesday 30.

TIMETABLE FROM 1 OCTOBER TO 3 NOVEMBER (inclusive)

BEGINNERS group – Lecturers Anne Serrano, Chiara Valente.

This group begins normal lessons on Thursday 1 October and will continue on Tuesday 6 October.

• Tuesday, 2.00–6.00 pm (aula E, polo didattico). The start time for these lessons will be agreed with the lecturer, C. Valente, on the first day of lessons.
• Thursday, 11.30 am – 2.45 pm (Lecture Theatre G, Teaching Centre)

ADVANCED Group – Lecturer Erica Lacanna.

This group also begins lessons on Thursday 1 October and will continue on Tuesday 6 October.

• Tuesday, 2.00–6.00 pm (aula B, polo didattico) The start time for these lessons will be agreed with the lecturer, E. Lacanna, on the first day of lessons
• Thursday, 11.00 am–3.00 pm (Aula Magna, polo didattico)

TIMETABLE FROM 5 NOVEMBER (single group: Advanced and Beginners together)

• Tuesday, 2.00–6.00 pm, (aula B, polo didattico)
• Thursday, 11.30 am–2.45 pm (aula Magna, polo didattico)

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The skills acquired during the Theoretical Module will be assessed by means of several tests. On the one hand, a written and oral examination (on the same date and time as the roll call) and, on the other hand, a paper in which the skills acquired in the bilingual lexicography seminar must be demonstrated.

For the Lectureship, a written and an oral examination (in two different appeals). The written exam of the Lectureship is preparatory to the oral exam (you must therefore have passed the written exam to be able to take the oral exam).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

THEORETICAL MODULE (for 12 CFU):

The written test is divided into several multiple-choice exercises (tests) that assess knowledge of fundamental concepts, the ability to apply theories of applied linguistics to the analysis of the Spanish language and the main characteristics of its variants. The short oral interview checks the assimilation of concepts gathered from the compulsory reading bibliography. These two tests assign a grade with a weighting of 80% in the final grade of the theoretical module. The remaining 20% is obtained as a percentage with the grade obtained for the final work in the biblingue lexicography seminar.

Spanish Language Course:

In the written examination, the linguistic-communicative competence of level B2 of the European Language Reference Framework is assessed by means of auditory comprehension, various exercises and a composition. The oral interview involves checking oral expression and interaction and the cultural content of the course, as well as the knowledge acquired in the introduction exercises on text types and translation..

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have duly submitted certification of disability, SLD or other special educational needs are advised to contact both the contact person Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it) and the teachers at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and examination methods which, in accordance with the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory tools.

Erasmus students should contact the coordinating professor before including the teaching in the learning agreement.