INTRODUCTION TO SPANISH
No prerequisites are required.
Final Exam The final exam, aimed at assessing the skills acquired during the course, consists of a written test and an oral interview with the instructor. Written Test The Spanish Language written test consists of the following components: • Cloze test: insertion of grammatical or lexical elements in the blank spaces of a text • Multiple choice questions on grammatical or lexical topics • Reading comprehension: answering questions about one or more texts in Spanish • Listening comprehension: answering questions based on an audio passage • Written expression: students are required to write a short text (100–150 words) The written test is considered passed when the student obtains at least 60% in each of its components. Students holding a DELE certification at level A2 or higher may have the written test validated and will receive the corresponding converted grade (on a scale of 30). Oral Test Students who pass the written test, as well as those with a valid DELE certification, are admitted to the oral exam. The oral test consists of an interview with the instructor, during which the student must demonstrate the ability to carry on a conversation on everyday topics and to interact clearly and accurately from a linguistic standpoint. The student will receive a grade out of 30, which will be averaged with the written test score to determine the final grade. In case of a failing grade, the student must retake only the oral test (the written test result and score remain valid for one academic year). The exam is considered passed when the student obtains a passing grade in both parts.
The course aims to acquire language skills that correspond to the parameters indicated for level A2 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages. The student will be able to express himself in a simple and correct way on familiar topics such as their studies, work, free time, travel, experiences and will be able to interact in communicative situations of various kinds. The student will also be able to access the main written sources and media (newspapers and magazines, internet, books, radio etc.). At the end of the course the expected results are as follows: - Listening comprehension: the student understands the main elements in clear speech, in standard language and on familiar topics, which he frequently addresses at work, at school, in leisure time etc. Can understand the essential content of many radio and television broadcasts on current topics or topics of personal or professional interest, as long as the speech is slow and clear. - Written comprehension: the student understands written texts of current use related to the daily sphere or work. Can understand the description of events, feelings and desires contained in personal communications. - Oral interaction: the student is able to deal with many of the situations that can arise traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Is able to participate, without having prepared, in conversations on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or concerning everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events). - Oral production: the student knows how to describe, linking simple expressions, experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions. He can briefly motivate and explain opinions and projects, narrate a story and plot of a book or film and describe his impressions. - Written production: the student is able to write simple and coherent texts on topics known or of interest. He knows how to write personal communications exposing experiences and impressions.
Grammar contents: - Fonética y ortografía. - Artículos determinados e indeterminados. Forma y uso. - Sustantivos y adjetivos: género y número. - Pronombres: o personales sujeto; o reflexivos; o complemento directo e indirecto; o interrogativos. - Adjetivos y pronombres: posesivos, demostrativos, indefinidos, relativos e interrogativos. - Diferencia entre hay / estar. - Verbos reflexivos, pronominales e impersonales. - Números cardinales y ordinales. - Muy/mucho. - Uso y contraste entre por / para - Comparativos y superlativos. - Diferencia entre ser/estar. - Principales verbos regulares e irregulares. - Tiempos verbales del Indicativo: o Presente; o pretérito imperfecto; o pretérito perfecto simple; o pretérito perfecto compuesto; o pretérito pluscuamperfecto; o futuro y condicional. - El imperativo. - Perífrasis: ir a + infinitivo; haber/tener + que + infinitivo; deber + infinitivo; volver a / acabar de + infinitivo; estar a punto de + infinitivo; estar + gerundio. - Adverbios de lugar, tiempo, modo, cantidad, etc. - Principales preposiciones y conjunciones. Lexical and communicative contents: The course aims to convey the functional contents to the acquisition, by the student, of a level of competence equal to at least level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) or the Plan Curricular of the Instituto Cervantes. In detail, the student will acquire the vocabulary and linguistic structures necessary to interact in everyday life situations: - Saludos, despedidas y presentaciones. - Países y nacionalidades. - La familia y la descripción de personas. - Profesiones y lugares de trabajo. - Partes del día y acciones habituales. Expresiones de frecuencia. - La casa. - La ciudad. - Ropa (calzado, prendas de vestir, tallas y colores). - Partes del cuerpo. - Alimentos y bebidas. - Actividades del tiempo libre y lugares de ocio. - Días de la semana, meses del año y estaciones. - Tiempo atmosférico. - Viajes y servicios. - Medios de transporte. - Medio ambiente. - Marcadores temporales de pasado y futuro. - Aficiones y deportes.
The course includes 56 hours of lectures, in Spanish. The topics covered at each lesson will be specified in the e-learning platform, through which the teacher will provide supplementary material to the textbooks to support the course. The lessons will alternate a moment of theoretical presentation of grammatical themes and an applicative part, during which students will be able to practice the skills of written and oral.