Elementary Spanish Language and Culture (A1)
Barcelona School for International Studies
Course Description
This introductory Spanish course is designed for complete beginners with little to no previous exposure to the Spanish language. Students will develop basic communication skills in Spanish, focusing on essential vocabulary, fundamental grammar structures, and cultural aspects of Spain, particularly Catalonia and Barcelona. By the end of the course, students will be able to engage in simple conversations about everyday topics, comprehend basic written texts, and have a foundational understanding of Spanish and Catalan culture.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Greet and introduce themselves and others in Spanish
- Express personal information, preferences, and daily activities
- Formulate questions and respond to simple inquiries
- Describe people, places, and things using basic adjectives
- Understand and use the present tense of regular and common irregular verbs
- Demonstrate comprehension of short written texts and simple dialogs
- Appreciate fundamental aspects of Spanish and Catalan culture, traditions, and social customs
Course Structure
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Class sessions: Twice per week (90 minutes each)
- Total instructional hours: 36 hours
- Credits: 3 credits
Required Materials
- "Aula Internacional 1" textbook and workbook (Cayetano, et al.)
- Access to the Barcelona School for International Studies online language platform
- Spanish-English dictionary
- Notebook for in-class exercises and vocabulary
Assessment Methods
| Assessment Component | Weight |
|---|---|
| Active class participation and homework assignments | 20% |
| Quizzes (vocabulary and grammar) | 20% |
| Oral presentation | 15% |
| Midterm examination | 20% |
| Final examination (written and oral components) | 25% |
Weekly Course Content
Week 1-2: Introduction to Spanish and Basic Greetings
- Spanish alphabet and pronunciation
- Greeting rituals and cultural norms in Spain
- Introducing oneself and others
- Numbers 1-100
- Days of the week, months, and seasons
- Basic classroom expressions
- Cultural Focus: The linguistic landscape of Spain (Castilian, Catalan, Basque, Galician)
Week 3-4: Personal Information and Daily Life
- Expressing nationality and origin
- Describing family and relationships
- Talking about professions and occupations
- Present tense of regular -ar, -er, and -ir verbs
- Describing daily routines and activities
- Cultural Focus: Spanish family structures and social customs
Week 5-6: Descriptions and Preferences
- Describing people's appearance and personality
- Expressing likes and dislikes
- Demonstrative adjectives (este, ese, aquel)
- Possessive adjectives
- Telling time and discussing schedules
- Cultural Focus: The siesta culture and meal times in Spain
Week 7-8: Locations and Transportation
- Asking for and giving directions
- Location expressions and prepositions
- Transportation vocabulary
- Weather expressions and seasons
- Describing cities and neighborhoods
- Cultural Focus: Barcelona's urban layout and public transportation system
Week 9-10: Food, Shopping, and Leisure
- Food vocabulary and ordering at restaurants
- Expressing thirst, hunger, and dietary preferences
- Shopping vocabulary and numbers over 100
- Making invitations and declining politely
- Stem-changing verbs (e-ie, o-ue, e-i)
- Cultural Focus: Traditional Spanish and Catalan cuisine, tapas culture
Week 11-12: Travel and Review
- Travel vocabulary and expressions
- Making hotel reservations
- Past events introduction to the preterite
- Comprehensive review of all course content
- Cultural Focus: Popular festivals in Barcelona and Catalonia
Cultural Components
Throughout the course, students will engage with authentic cultural materials including:
- Spanish and Catalan music and short videos
- Newspaper articles and simple literary texts
- Virtual visits to Barcelona museums and landmarks
- Introduction to influential Spanish and Catalan artists, such as Picasso, Dal, Gaud, and Mir
- Discussion of cultural celebrations including La Merc, Santa Eullia, and traditional festivals
Course Policies
Attendance Policy
Regular attendance is crucial for language acquisition. Students may miss a maximum of three class sessions without penalty. Additional absences will require documentation and may impact the final grade. Active participation in class activities is expected and will be reflected in the participation component of the assessment.
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be the student's own. Academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and cheating on exams, will result in disciplinary action according to the Barcelona School for International Studies policies.
Special Accommodations
Students requiring accommodations for disabilities or special needs should contact the instructor during the first week of classes to make appropriate arrangements.
Course Communication
All course announcements and materials will be posted on the Barcelona School for International Studies online platform. Students are expected to check this platform regularly. The instructor can be contacted during office hours or via email for individual consultations.
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