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Home | About Hispanic Studies | Research | Resources | Events | Staff | Undergraduate Degree | Courses | Alumni
What is the study of Spanish language like at Levels 1 and 2?There are two courses of study in Spanish language at level 1 within Hispanic Studies: SP1017 and SP1018. The SP1018 course is for students with prior knowledge of Spanish to Higher or A-level grade or equivalent level of previous study. SP1017 is an intensive and demanding ab initio course intended for complete beginners in the language. Neither of these courses is open to native speakers of Spanish. If you have a Standard Grade or equivalent in Spanish, you will normally enter the language study programme in semester 2 of level one, i.e. the second semester of the ab initio course (SP1517), beginning in January/February.
In any case, it is important that you discuss your options with your adviser of studies before you can undertake any of the above courses, and that you make sure you attend the Registration session for Level 1 Hispanic Studies during advising week in September (see below).
Please be aware that language study within Hispanic Studies is NOT a basic Spanish course and is not suitable for students who wish to learn holiday or basic Spanish: both courses of study are designed for intending degree students and demand a very high level of independent study. If you are prepared to undertake this level of language study, the courses are open to all students in accordance with the prerequisites mentioned above; however, your timetable of classes may or may not be compatible, depending on your chosen courses. Students intending Honours study (or those who think they may do) must take the level 1 content courses (SP1019 and SP1519) in Hispanic Studies in addition to their language course. Again, please attend the Registration session for further discussion on this point.
Yes: many students do carry on from ab initio right through to complete a full Honours degree in Hispanic Studies. It involves commitment and hard work, but it is possible! Ex-ab initio students have gone on to achieve Honours degrees at First Class. Following level 1, you would take the intensive first semester level 2 course (SP2019): this is a bridging course, designed to develop language skills so that students can then join the other stream of students in semester 2 of level 2, prior to their year abroad.
SP1017 requires you to attend 3 hours of language class + 1 hour of oral class every week; SP1018 requires you to attend 2 hours of language class + 1 hour of oral class each week. You must attend all your classes and keep up with the individual study you will be required to do on your own initiative. Timetabling issues will be explained at Registration in September, but you will be given a timetable of classes after registration class timetables cannot be copied from the website for these courses.
Please come to the Registration session for level 1 in September, when we will explain in more detail how courses will operate and how you should register with the School. You will have seen your adviser of studies before then but, even if you havent, please still attend the session. It is important that you do attend Registration in order to arrange which class group you will join and to receive your book list for the course. If you are not sure as to which course you should take, we will discuss this further at Registration and you will be able to talk to the co-ordinators of the courses.
Level 2 is the point at which the 'beginners' and 'advanced' courses converge. During the first half-session ex-beginners cover similar material in a course which involves 4 contact hours per week. However, the course is paced differently, placing a greater emphasis on grammatical structures and vocabulary-building exercises. During the second half-session all students, be they ex-beginners or advanced students follow the same course which involves 3 contact hours per week. At the end of Level 2 there is an examination, on successful completion of which students are qualified to teach Spanish in a Scottish secondary school. Level 2 Spanish builds upon and extends skills acquired in Level 1 and, given that many students also proceed on to a period of residence in a Spanish-speaking county at the end of year two, the course is also geared towards preparing students for this important component of the degree.
Hispanic Studies, School of Language & Literature
Taylor Building · University of Aberdeen · Aberdeen · AB24 3UB · Scotland
Telephone: +44 (0)1224-272549 · Fax: +44 (0)1224-272624
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Page last modified: Wednesday, 04-Aug-2004 11:39:49 BST
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