Practice in Interpreting Spanish-Language Cultural Texts 3305-POHTK-01
The course is dedicated primarily to those who are interested in expanding their vocabulary and developing the ability to express themselves well and comfortably in Spanish. Each lesson is based on a literary, journalistic or audiovisual text and will be divided into three parts: 1. lexical exercises, which will facilitate the reading/watching of the texts in question, 2. grammatical exercises, both to practice the structures already known and to introduce new elements, and finally, 3. discussion of the themes addressed in the texts. The proposed materials form a wide variety, also with regard to different cultural backgrounds (countries and regions).
The reading and watching will be preceded by lexical exercises, which will serve to facilitate comprehension, and will be followed by grammatical exercises inspired by the text in question, introduced to practice some of the grammatical structures already known by the student and to propose new ones. At the end of each class, a discussion topic related to the text in question will be raised.
The detailed program of the course is available in the section on activities in a particular didactic cycle.
|
Term 2026Z:
The program covers the following topics: 1. News and confabulations / Noticias y mentiras — the one about consumerism and fake news: we watch Telediario 2 en 4’ (RTVE); we discuss vocabulary related to press and television, and review the order of the adjectives. 2. Coffee and everyday life / Cafeteras y lo cotidiano — the one about ordinary everyday life: we read Bicho hambriento y otros versos jugados (Rivera, 2012); we discuss vocabulary related to house and everyday objects, verbs ser and estar, final clauses. 3. Marathons and advertising / Atracones y publicidad — the one about what we are looking for and what we are getting: we watch TV commercials, we read Mafalda (Quino); we discuss vocabulary related to trade and consumption, relative clauses. 4. Backpacks and experiences / Mochilas y experiencias — the one about whether it is the destination or the journey: we watch Aquí, ahora y así. Estrella Damm 2022 (Estrella Damm, 2022); we discuss vocabulary related to travelling, and concessive and adversative clauses. 5. Watches and love / Relojes y amores — the one about about whether they lived happily ever after: we read El sapo and La Bella Durmiente (Quim Monzó, 1994); we discuss vocabulary related to describing people, and review tenses and modes in Spanish. |
Course coordinators
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
• Knowledge: students know and understand the basic methods of analysis of Spanish cultural texts of different registers and styles, as well as the basic terminology (in terms of lexicon, morphology and syntax). They know and understand the relationship of some of the aspects of Spanish and Latin American popular culture with historical and cultural processes and important events. (K_W02, K_W05, K_W08).
• Abilities: students are able to read and comprehend texts written in Spanish in the field of popular culture, as well as apply communicative and compensatory strategies when not fully understanding oral or written statements, identifying key words and using the context to understand their main ideas (K_U01, K_U10). They know how to participate in a debate on popular culture in Spain and Latin America (K_U2) and present their opinions related to this topics, both orally and in writing (K_U2, K_U5, K_U6). They are able to recognize popular culture texts of different types, Spanish and Latin American ones, and link them to a broader historical-cultural context (K_U3). They know how to acquire knowledge about the popular culture of Spanish-speaking countries, as well as how to improve their linguistic skills by drawing on sources of popular culture in Spanish (K_U4).
• Social skills: Students are prepared to evaluate their knowledge of the field of popular culture of Spanish-speaking countries and to make use of it by developing their linguistic skills continuously (K_K01). The acquired competences allow them to interact more effectively in a team (K_K02) and to participate actively in the market of the popular culture of the Iberian and Ibero-American countries (K_K03). They are also prepared to follow contemporary trends and processes of popular culture in Spain and Latin America (K_K04).
Assessment criteria
Teaching methods:
- lexical and grammar exercises;
- exercises based on the reading of cultural texts;
- practical use of audiovisual materials;
- pair and whole-class discussions;
- language games and interactive exercises;
- Quizlet, Kahoot, and other applications for presenting content and learning foreign languages;
- group work, think-pair-share.
Assessment criteria and passing threshold:
Point-based continuous assessment system including class participation + two tests + preparation for classes:
• Participation: 40 pts; tests: max. 24 pts; homework assignments: max. 30 pts.
• Passing threshold: at least 60% of the total points from participation and the two tests, which together account for 100% of the grade (38 pts).
• Active participation in class includes participation in discussions (max. 26 pts) and writing an essay (max. 14 pts).
• In the assessment of the essay (max. 14 pts), the following are evaluated: content (4 pts), structure/segmentation (1 pt), style (1 pt), vocabulary (2 pts), grammar (2 pts), spelling (1 pt), punctuation (1 pt), and use of vocabulary learned in class (2 pts).
• Tests (12 pts each) consist of answering a series of open-ended questions concerning topics discussed during classes.
• The grade may be improved by earning points for class preparation, i.e. short homework assignments (max. 30 pts).
Grading scale: 60–67% = 3.0 | 68–75% = 3.5 | 76–83% = 4.0 | 84–91% = 4.5 | 92–99% = 5.0 | 100% = 5!
* The use of AI systems is prohibited when completing homework assignments and writing essays. The instructor may use publicly available tools to assess the likelihood of undisclosed AI use when evaluating student work.
Bibliography
Bibliography listed in the section on activities in a particular didactic cycle.
|
Term 2026Z:
Primary resources Additional resources |