SPANISH LANGUAGE 1

The Spanish Language 1 course is one of the core courses within the common curriculum of the Degree Programme in Languages, Civilisations and Language Sciences.
The course aims to develop and consolidate students’ knowledge of the Spanish language through the study of its main phonological, morphological, lexical and semantic dimensions.
The course is designed to develop the linguistic and communicative competences required to achieve level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The acquisition of the expected theoretical knowledge and language competences will be assessed through the methods described in the next sections.

1. Knowledge and understanding
Acquisition of basic knowledge concerning the phonological, morphological, lexical and semantic functioning of the Spanish language.
Understanding of the main phenomena related to the phonological system and morphological structure of Spanish, as well as of the processes connected with lexical variation, semantic relations between words and lexical formation and innovation.
Acquisition of the linguistic and communicative knowledge required to achieve level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

2. Applying knowledge and understanding
Ability to identify and describe the main phonological and morphological phenomena of the Spanish language and to apply the knowledge acquired to the analysisi of linguistic forms and structures.
Ability to identify, describe and analyse the main lexical and phraseological units of Spanish, distinguishing their different components of meaning and identifying the semantic and syntagmatic relations between them.
Ability to intepret phenomena of linguistic variation by taking into account the context of use, communicative purposes and interlocutors involved.
Students will also be able to adopt a contrastive approach to Spanish and Italian in order to identify correspondences, differences and possible phenomena of interference at the phonological, morpohological, lexical and semantic levels.
Ability to apply the knowledge acquired to the comprehension and production of texts and interactions appropriate to CEFR level B1, developing integrated oral and written comprehension and production skills.

3. Making judgements
Ability to use the resources aimed at acquiring linguistic structures and solving problems arising, among other factors, from the typological similarity between Spanish and Italian.
Ability to identify and correctly use the most common grammatical and lexical structures applying them approriately to the comprehension, analysis and production of different types of texts and interactions.

4. Communication skills
Ability to use Spanish correctly and adapt it to different contexts and variables of use, demonstrating the acquisition of the communicative competences corresponding to B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Ability to describe, using basic linguistic terminology, the main phonological, morphological, lexical and semantic phenomena addressed during the course and to illustrate, at an introductory level, selected differences between Spanish and Italian.
Ability to present and discuss the contents of the module in Spanish, making simple and relevant observations on the phenomena analysed and on the main varieties of the Spanish-speaking world.

5. Learning skills
Ability to organise and use the knowledge, tools and resources acquired during the course in an informed and independent manner, developing a study method appropriate to language learning.
Ability to integrate knowledge relating to the differen levels of language analysis and apply it to the observation of new linguistic and communicative phenomena.
Development of learning strategies aimed at consolidating the competences acquired and supporting progression to the subsequent levels of study.

No prior knowledge of Spanish is required. The course and language practice sessions are structured to enable all students, including beginners, to progressively acquire the tools needed to achieve the intended learning outcomes.
However, a basic knowledge of the terminology and key concepts of general linguistics is desirable, particularly with regard to semantics and lexicology.

Elements of Spanish phonology, morphology, lexis and semantics:
1. Elements of Spanish phonology and ortography, with particular attention to the main phenomena relevant to Italian-speaking learners
2. Elements of morphology: word structure and formation, and the main morphological categories
3. Lexical and phraseological units and the main lexico-semantic relations
4. Collocations, idiomatic expressions and proverbs
5. Lexis and linguistic variation: the main phenomena of diatopic, diaphasic and diastratic variation
6. Contrastive analysis of Spanish and Italian, with particular attention to correspondences, differences and phenomena of morphological, phonological, lexical and semantic interference.

- Bermejo F., San Vicente F., Barbero J.C., (2021), GRAMMA. Grammatica della lingua spagnola, Clueb, Bologna.
- Escandell M.V., (2007), Apuntes de semántica léxica, UNED, Madrid.
- Luque Toro, L., (2007) Frente a frente 2. Lengua, cultura española y traducción para italianos, Logos, Modena.
- Odicino R., Campos Ch. C., Sánchez M.E., (2023), Gramática española, tercera edición, UTET Università, Torino.

Learning assessment will be carried out through a written examination consisting of two parts, to be taken during the same examination session. The examination will include:
i) A test consisting of multiple-choice questions, gap-filling exercises and other structured activities, aimed at assessing the achievement of linguistic and communicative competence corresponding to B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR);
ii) A test based on the comprehension and analysis of texts and short excerpts selected in relation to the syntactic, lexical and semantic phenomena covered during the course. Starting from the materials provided, students will be asked questions aimed at assessing their ability to understand texts and to identify, describe and analyse the main linguistic phenomena addressed in the course. The second part of the examination will also assess students’ ability to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired through a contrastive approach to Spanish and Italian and to use appropriately the metalinguistic terminology introduced during the course.

written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

The final grade will be expressed on a 30-point scale and will be based on the following criteria:
- Knowledge and understanding of the main phonological, morphological, lexical and semantic phenomena covered during the course and further explored in the reference texts (up to 10 points)
- Ability to apply the knowledge acquired to the analysis of forms, lexical units, phraseological expressions and texts, also through a contrastive approach to Spanish and Italian (up to 10 points)
- Ability to answer the questions clearly, coherently and in a well-structured manner, using appropriate terminology and demonstrating linguistic competence consistent with the requirements for achieving CEFR level B1 (up to 10 points).

Lectures; practical exercises; group presentations and discussions.