Module Catalogue

SPA2121 : Introduction to Catalan - Part 1

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Josep Cru
  • Lecturer: Ms Laura Arbones Martinez
  • Owning School: Modern Languages
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the SML, this module aims to build on skills acquired at Stage 1 (languages learning skills and skills of cultural study) and provide students with an introduction to modern Catalan which will take them up to Lower Intermediate (post-GCSE equivalent) level.

This is an introduction to the Catalan language. It aims to give you a basic knowledge of Catalan grammar and vocabulary using written and spoken sources (this includes students’ ability to use and understand authentic material and produce their own written and spoken output). You will also learn to communicate orally in Catalan and understand varieties of the spoken language. You will also learn to identify the problems that beset a ‘minority’ language and its cultures and set these in the context of your knowledge of modern Spain and France.

This module is for Exchange students studying at Newcastle University for Semester 1 only.

Outline Of Syllabus

Work requirements:

Weekly language exercises: consisting of grammar, comprehension and translation exercises.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching112:0022:00PiP Language seminars
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study781:0078:00N/A
Total100:00
Jointly Taught With
Code Title
SPA2021Catalan I
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Private study mainly in the Language Resource Centre

As this is a beginners’ languages course, it is more classroom-based than the other optional modules, hence the
higher number of contact hours (partly funded by Institut Ramón Llull). The language teaching will be integrated
(oral, aural, and writing skills), rather than compartmentalised, and thereby closer to a real-life situation. This explains why class tests and group learning are continuous.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Oral Examination151M30Consisting of a role play followed by a conversation in Catalan
Written Examination601A70Assessing grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Written exercise1MWeekly grammar exercises and written tasks
Oral Presentation1MIn-class oral presentation
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Written examination (unseen) (70%) - In the 60-minute exam students will answer 3 sections:
a) Reading comprehension with short questions
b) Grammar and vocabulary exercises
c) Write a composition in Catalan of 150-180 words on a personal topic. There will be two options.

Oral examination (30%) consisting of a role play and a conversation in Catalan.

In case of pandemic, the format of alternative assessment will be 24-hour take-home exam for written exam and a live oral exam organised online.

Reading Lists

Timetable