SPANISH LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION

Course on Spanish language (LM0041) is a core educational activity for the Iberian Studies Curriculum of the Master's Degree Programme in European, American, and Postcolonial Language and Literature and consists of a half-year learning module and of annual coursework. The overall objective of this course is to introduce the students to the linguistic variation in Spanish and Latin American language and to achieve linguistic competence at the C1+/C2 level - Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

2.1.Knowledge and understanding
The phenomenon of linguistic variation in Spanish.
Linguistic and communicative competence in Spanish at a C1+ level of the CEFR.

2.2 Applying knowledge and understanding
Be able to recognize and analyze the phenomena of linguistic variation addressed during the course; to use specialized terminology accurately and appropriately in all processes of applying and communicating the knowledge acquired.

2.3. Making judgments
Appreciate the pluricentric nature of the linguistic norm of Spanish and the variation-oriented perspective proposed in the Nueva Gramática de la lengua española (2009).

2.4. Communication skills
Be able to understand, communicate and discuss the topics and theoretical issues covered during the course, using appropriate terminology and demonstrating C1+/C2-level proficiency in Spanish (CEFR).

2.5. Lifelong learning skills
Be able to integrate lecture notes with the reference texts.
Be able to consult and use corpora and bibliographic resources relevant to study and research.

A C1 CEFR level is suggested. The module deals with Spanish language varieties and their relationship to standard language. A wide knowledge of grammar and text analysis of Spanish language is assumed (knowledge acquired through the core educational activities of Spanish Language 1, 2 and 3 in the common curriculum of Languages, Civilisation and the Science of Language programme).

Half-year module:
1. 21st-century Spanish: a plural, international, and global language.
2. Unity within variation: norm and standard language. Neutral Spanish.
3. Variation within unity: variables, variants, varieties.
4. Phenomena of variation and adaptation in Spanish.

Coursework:
Linguistic Training to develop proficiency in academic writing in Spanish at C1+/C2.
- Grammar activities at the C1+ level, including contrastive analysis with Italian, through multiple-choice tests, gap-filling exercises, and pedagogical translation tasks;
- Preparation for listening to and understanding specialized audio-visual and digital texts;
- Preparation for reading and understanding the referral texts;
- Preparation for written and oral academic presentations.

Half-year module.
Bosque, I. (ed.) (1999): Lengua castellana y literatura II, Madrid: Akal, Las Variedades de la lengua 1, 2, 3, 4.
Briz, Antonio (1998): El español coloquial en la conversación, Barcelona: Ariel Lingüística.
Calvi, Maria Vittoria, Bordonaba Zabala, Cristina, Mapelli, Giovanna, Javier Santos (2009): Las lenguas de especialidad en español, Roma: Carocci.
Escandell M. Victoria et al. (2011). El lenguaje humano, editorial universitaria Ramón Areces, caps. 8 y 9
Escandell M. Victoria et al. (2011). Invitación a la lingüística, editorial universitaria Ramón Areces, cap. 1.2 y 1.3
Hugalde, José Ignacio et al. (coord.) (2001). Introducción a la lingüística hispánica, Cambridge University Press, cap. 7 y 8
Moreno Fernández, Francisco (2020). Variedades de la lengua española, Routledge, Carol Klee, University of Minnesota, USA.
Moreno Fernández, Francisco (2010). Las variedades de la lengua española y su enseñanza, Arco/Libros.
Moreno Fernández, F. (1998). Principios de sociolingüística y sociología del lenguaje, Ariel Lingüística.
Muñoz-Basols et al. (2016): Introducción a la lingüística hispánica actual. Teoría y práctica, Routledge, cap. 7.
Aleza Izquierdo, Milagros y Enguita Utrilla, José María (2010) (coord.): La lengua española en América, Universitat de València.
RAE/ASELE (2009): Nueva gramática de la lengua española. Madrid: Espasa.

Digital resources
RAE/ASALE: Diccionario de la lengua española, on line: https://www.rae.es/
RAE/ASALE: Nueva gramática de la lengua española, on line: https://www.rae.es/gram%C3%A1tica/cgi-bin/buscar.cgi
RAE/ASALE: Glosario de términos gramaticales, on line: https://www.rae.es/gtg/
CVC: Diccionario de términos clave de ELE, en línea: https://cvc.cervantes.es/Ensenanza/biblioteca_ele/diccio_ele/default.htm

Language training
Cassany, Daniel (1995): La cocina de la escritura, Barcelona: Anagrama.
VV.AA (2006): El Ventilador. Curso de español de nivel superior, Madrid, Difusión.

Assessment is divided into two components:
- an oral examination, aimed at assessing students’ acquisition of the content covered in the theoretical module;
- an assessment of C1+/C2-level linguistic and communicative competences, developed through the language practice sessions.

1. Oral Examination on the Theoretical Module
The oral examination on the theoretical module consists of a presentation of the results of a brief research activity, followed by three open-ended questions on the topics addressed during the module and further explored through the prescribed reference texts. Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the topics covered and the ability to present and discuss them in formal and accurate Spanish. The examination lasts 15 minutes.

The examination assesses:
- metalinguistic competence with regard to the content of the module;
- accuracy in the use of specialised terminology;
- critical analytical skills;
- accuracy and appropriateness of expression in Spanish.
Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the topics addressed, the ability to apply the knowledge acquired through the research activity, and the ability to present the relevant content accurately, clearly, and in a communicatively appropriate manner in Spanish.

2. Assessment of C1+/C2-Level Linguistic and Communicative Competences
The assessment of linguistic and communicative competences is structured around three components, each addressing a specific dimension:
• Listening comprehension: comprehension task based on language samples representing different varieties of Spanish.
• Linguistic knowledge: grammar test comprising completion and translation exercises.
• Written production: argumentative text based on an oral or written input, with particular emphasis on the following skills: (i) comprehending, identifying, and reformulating the main ideas; and (ii) articulating a personal viewpoint in a coherent, well-structured, well-supported, and linguistically appropriate manner.

The assessment may be taken during the academic year as an ongoing assessment or during the official examination sessions. The ongoing assessment is intended for students who attend the language practice sessions and enables them to complete this component during the academic year, so that during the official examination sessions they only need to take the examination on the theoretical module.

Students who do not participate in the ongoing assessment take the test during the official examination sessions, together with the examination on the theoretical module. The linguistic and communicative competence assessment lasts 90 minutes. Consequently, the total duration of the examination taken during an official examination session is 105 minutes.

The mark obtained in the module examination and the communicative profile resulting from the linguistic and communicative competence assessment each contribute 50% to the calculation of the final grade.

Students holding a DELE C1 certificate or higher, obtained no more than two years prior to the date of the examination, are exempt from the assessment of linguistic and communicative competences and are required to take only the examination on the theoretical module. To claim the exemption, students must submit to the lecturer in charge, on the day of the written examination, a photocopy of both sides of the certificate. Certificates other than the DELE are not accepted. The grade obtained in the DELE certificate, expressed on a scale of 100, is automatically converted to the 30-point grading scale.

oral

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 is determined based on the following criteria:

- Score between 18 and 24: The student demonstrates sufficient knowledge of the course content, a basic understanding of specialized terminology, and an adequate level of academic communication in both written and oral Spanish.
- Score between 25 and 28: The student shows a good grasp of the course topics, solid critical thinking skills, and a good command of academic communication in Spanish.
- Score between 29 and 30: The student displays excellent knowledge of the course content, fluent exposition, outstanding critical analysis, advanced use of specialized vocabulary, and a high level of proficiency in academic communication in Spanish.

Honors (cum laude) may be awarded to students who exhibit exceptional performance across all criteria, including deep subject knowledge, strong analytical thinking, and superior communication skills.

Frontal lectures
Moodle
Linguistic training: practical exercising of reading, writing, oral presentation, oral interaction, and translation at a C1+/C2 level.

Metalinguistic module lessons will take place during the second semester. Practical language training will take place during the whole academic year.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development