Unit information: Catalan Language (Elementary) in 2018/19

Unit name	Catalan Language (Elementary)
Unit code	MODL23014
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Kitts
Open unit status	Open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Modern Languages
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The unit concentrates equally on all elements of language learning –reading, writing, listening and speaking, as well as translation. The main focus will be development of active and passive language skill. Students will develop and extensive vocabulary and understanding of the main grammatical structures. Students will also develop a basic knowledge of culture and society.

Aims:

• To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to second year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.

• To facilitate students’ engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.

• To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level C.

• Some options may prepare students for the experience of the Year Abroad.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful students will:

• be knowledgeable about a significant cultural, historical or linguistic subject related to the language they are studying;

• be skilled in the selection and synthesis of relevant material;

• be able to evaluate and analyse relevant material from a significant body of source materials, usually in a foreign language, at a high level;

• be able to respond to questions or problems by presenting their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an high level of complexity;

• be able to transfer these skills to other working environments, including study at a foreign university and on work placements during the year abroad.

Teaching Information

3 hours weekly, though pattern will vary, generally two hours spent on work with texts, vocabulary and grammar and one hour on oral/aural activities. Students will be given written homework for each week, in addition to other preparation.

Assessment Information

40% Continuous Assessment Oral/Aural 25% 100% Continuous Assessment (70% of the component) and 1 aural exam (30% of the component) 60% Exam – 3 hour exam which will test the following 3 skills Translation, Guided Writing and Composition.

Translation 25% Guided Writing 25% Composition 25%

In order to progress into Year 3, students would need to achieve a pass mark (40) in their overall language mark. Marks of below 40 in any of the four language skills would not prevent a student from progressing, as long as the overall average remained above 40. Students, who received an overall mark of below 40 for their language assessment, would be permitted to take a re-sit written 3 hour exam in the September. They could only progress into Year 3 with a capped mark of 40 in this re-sit exam.

Reading and References

Selection of dedicated material prepared in-house (SML). Grammar texts and dictionaries as appropriate to language area