Spanish Language in Context: Independent Abroad I
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Research has demonstrated that study abroad can enhance every aspect of language ability. One of the most important general findings of this research is, however, that study abroad is most beneficial for the development of abilities related to social interaction. Students who go abroad can learn to do things with words, such as requesting, apologizing, or offering compliments, and they may also learn to interpret situations calling on such speech acts in ways that local people do…In short, and logically, study abroad has been shown to enhance the aspects of communicative competence that are most difficult to foster in classroom settings (IES Abroad MAP for Language and Intercultural Communication, p. 6).
Objectives:
- Develop linguistic abilities at an intermediate-advanced level
- Work with different textual typology in written communication
- Enrich vocabulary concerning the topic of proposed texts
- Relate written communication skills with oral skills
- Integrate students in daily life activities outside the classroom
STUDENT PROFILE:
Students who enter this level are able to accomplish everyday needs required to live in a new culture. In this course, students will begin to develop independence and autonomy so that, when communication does break down, they have some tools at their disposal to resolve these challenges independently. Students should welcome correction and guidance from their instructors, hosts, and others in the community as they progress.
By the end of this course, students will begin to converse at a rate of speed approaching normal conversation. They will start to become creative, spontaneous and self-reliant as they solve problems, interpret texts, negotiate, express their opinions, likes and dislikes in the culture. Although students will still make errors and experience communication breakdowns, they are sometimes able to resolve these on their own. Students will understand some colloquial expressions and slang, and are starting to understand a wider variety of native speakers from different backgrounds. By the end of this level, students will be capable of achieving the learning outcomes outlined below.
Attendance is mandatory for all IES Abroad classes, including course-related excursions. Any exams, tests, presentations, or other work missed due to student absences can only be rescheduled in cases of documented medical or family emergencies. If a student misses more than two classes in any course half a letter grade will be deducted from the final grade for every additional absence. Seven absences in any course will result in a failing grade.
Students who are placed in this level should be capable of achieving the outcomes in the Emerging Independent Abroad level as defined by the IES Abroad MAP for Language and Intercultural Communication.
By the end of the course, students will be able to achieve some of the outcomes for the Independent Abroad level as defined by the MAP for Language and Intercultural Communication. The key learning outcomes from the MAP are summarized below:
- Intercultural Communication
- Students will begin to identify at a basic level key host cultures, subcultures, habits, norms, and behaviors in a variety of settings, and they will be aware of the risk that generalizations can lead to stereotypes.
- Students will start to identify their own cultural beliefs, behaviors, and values by contrasting and comparing them with the host cultures.
- Students will be able to identify some gestures and body language, and they may be able to integrate some of those non-verbal actions into their interactions with native speakers.
- Listening
- Students will be able to understand some spoken communications of moderate complexity (media, speeches, music, conversations, etc.) on a wide range of concrete everyday topics as well as abstract topics covered in classes.
- Students will begin to understand native speakers from a variety of backgrounds and limited experience with non-native speakers, and they will comprehend common colloquial expressions and slang.
- Speaking
- Students will be able to speak on and discuss concrete everyday and personal topics, abstract topics covered in classes, as well as other topics of particular interest to them.
- Students will be able to participate and respond actively in a variety of interactions.
- Reading
- Students will be able to read and understand articles, stories, and online texts using background knowledge to aid their comprehension.
- Students will begin to read and understand the main ideas of academic texts with assistance.
- Writing
- Students will be able to meet many everyday writing needs (notes, text messages, letters, emails, chats, and online forums).
- Students will be able to write brief essays for class that narrate, describe, report, compare, contrast, and summarize on a wide range of topics with developing degrees of grammatical and lexical accuracy.
- Students will be able to edit their own and their peers’ writing for common errors covered in class.
This course focuses on expanding students’ knowledge of Spanish through a series of defined units with functional, grammatical, lexical, and cultural outcomes. The learning process will be presented with an emphasis on both written and oral comprehension. Likewise, production skills will promote the development of students’ communicative competence at all levels. Daily pair and group discussion will provide students with the skills for oral presentations based on intensive and extensive reading. Students will work with different types of authentic materials (newspapers, documentaries, films, poems, short stories, forums in Moodle) in order to enhance a real intercultural experience.
It is expected that the students have a direct contact with diverse aspects of Spanish life, promoting group work and the practice of Spanish language outside formal education. On the second week of the course, groups will be organized that consist of 2 or 3 students and the topics will be discussed. The instructor, along with the students, will establish the calendar for the presentation.
The instructor will evaluate the following aspects:
- Information contributed for the explanation of the topic
- Presentation method
- Execution of surveys and its conclusions
- The students’ ability to communicate; students shouldn’t read their parts, but be able to explain to others their findings and what they have learned with their research. The research will be part of the oral skills evaluation of the student.
Students can present all the difficulties they may find in the realization of the work to the professor.
- Midterm exam (20%): On contents covered in class.
- Final Exam (20%): On contents covered in class (specific contents tested in the midterm exam will not be included).
- Homework and written assignments (20%): All homework and written assignments required by the instructor must be handed in on time.
- Participation (15%): Your participation grade depends on a number of variables, including, but not limited to the following: your use of Spanish in the classroom; your willingness to participate in all class activities; your cooperation during group- and pair- work; your respect and attitude toward your peers and toward your instructor.
- Activity outside the classroom (5%): Students will have the opportunity to participate in several activities outside the classroom. Your instructor is allowed to plan an activity for the group if such activity is considered necessary. You can also take part in activities organized by IES Abroad. Preparation and further reflection on this event will be worked in the classroom.
- Field Study (20%)
Week |
Content |
Assignments |
Corresponding Learning Outcome(s) |
Week 1 |
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Un diario Previa elaboración y entrevista con un estudiante español universitario que estudie inglés Creación de tarjetas recordatorio Lectura de un artículo sobre el choque cultural, resumen y comentario crítico |
V.A V.A, V.C, III.B, II.B, I.B V.A IV.A, V.B |
Week 2 |
|
Conseguir folletos turísticos y elegir un destino para exponer el porqué de la elección Ejercicios gramaticales Previa elaboración y entrevista con personas de distintas nacionalidades que vivan en Madrid sobre la veracidad de los estereotipos Creación de un blog con las experiencias humanas vividas en inmersión |
I.A, III.A V.C V.A, V.C, III.B, II.B, I.B V.A |
Week 3 |
|
Visionado de una película española y reseña de la misma para un periódico universitario Completar el guión gráfico de una escena cinematográfica con perífrasis de infinitivo y gerundio Previa elaboración y entrevista con un español sobre su relación con el cine español y el americano |
II.A, III.B V.B V.A, V.C, III.B, II.B, I.B |
Week 4 |
|
Lectura de cuentos tradicionales deconstruidos a través de Moodle Composición de un cuento tradicional deconstruido a través de una actividad de Moodle |
IV.A V.B |
Week 5 |
|
Audición en YouTube de testimonios de jóvenes españoles que hablan de su futuro para posterior puesta en común plenaria Lectura de artículos de prensa sobre el escenario laboral en España. Resumen y comentario crítico para posterior debate en clase |
II.A, III.A IV.A, V.B, III.B |
Week 6 Examen parcial |
|
Creación de una valla publicitaria Elaboración e implementación de una encuesta relacionada con la publicidad y el consumo responsable |
V.A V.A, V.C, III.B, II.B, I.B |
Week 7 |
|
Recopilación de noticias de actualidad en los telediarios televisados para la trasmisión de la información en pequeños grupos y plenaria |
II.A, III.A, III.B |
Week 8 |
|
Informe sobre la importancia de dominar una lengua |
V.B, V.C |
Week 9 |
|
Actividad en Moodle “¿Se puede ser feliz en época de exámenes?” Resúmenes de textos relacionados con la felicidad, y crítica de los mismos |
IV.A, V.C IV.A, V.C |
Week 10 |
|
Elaboración de un diálogo para una propuesta de ocio para su posterior interpretación teatral en clase Ejercicios gramaticales |
V.A, V.C, III.B, II.A V.C |
Week 11 Exposición de tarea de campo |
|
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Week 12 |
|
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Week 13 Examen final |
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- Destino Erasmus 2.Madrid, SGEL, 2009.
- VV AA (2011) Gramática Básica del estudiante de español. Ed. Difusión, Barcelona.