SPANISH Objective A1

lespa1001  2026-2027  Louvain-la-Neuve

SPANISH Objective A1
3.00 credits
60.0 h
Q1 and Q2
Language
Prerequisites
No prior experience is required, as this is a beginners’ course (0-A1).
Main themes
The topics covered are selected in line with the learning outcomes of the programme and the communicative needs as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for the target level (A1).
These topics cover:
  • general and authentic communication situations relating to everyday life, social and cultural contexts, as well as university studies.
and
  • specialised communication situations relating to the fields and professions of communication / social sciences and humanities, sociology and anthropology / political science, such as multicultural schedules and customs, traditions and characteristics of countries in the Spanish-speaking world.
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

Learning outcomes ((Bachelor's programmes in ESPO)
  • AAC4. Communicate and collaborate, in French and in two foreign languages, both orally and in writing, adapting to one’s interlocutors and the context to be able to function effectively in an international environment.
    • AAC4.2. For 2 foreign languages (English and Dutch or German or Spanish):
      • communicate orally and in writing clearly, coherently, and fluently on general topics or those related to the field of study;
      • Recognise the differences and similarities between the target culture (associated with the language in question) and the home culture, and use appropriate strategies to establish contact with speakers of the target culture. 
 
Learning outcomes (CEFR)
By the end of this module, students:
  • Oral (audiovisual) comprehension:
    Can identify concrete information (e.g. places and times) on familiar topics encountered in everyday life, provided it is delivered slowly and clearly.
     
  • Reading comprehension:
    Can understand short, simple texts containing the highest frequency vocabulary, including a shared international vocabulary.
 
  • Oral production:
    Can produce short phrases to talk about themselves, providing basic personal information (e.g. name, address, family status, nationality).
     
  • Written production:
    Can ask and answer questions about themselves and daily routines, using short, formulaic expressions and relying on gestures to reinforce the information.
 
  • Oral interaction:
    Can provide information in speech or writing about personal topics (e.g. likes and dislikes, family, pets) using simple words and basic expressions.
     
  • Written interaction:
    Can provide very basic information (e.g. name, address, family), in short phrases on forms or notes, with the help of a dictionary.
 
  • Linguistic competence (general linguistic range):
    Can use basic sentence patterns with memorised phrases, groups of a few words, and formulae to communicate limited information in simple everyday situations (about oneself, people, what they do, places, possessions, etc.).
 
Content
This teaching unit focuses on topics relating to current affairs, social movements, and the Sustainable Development Goals and equality.
Within this thematic framework, students will practise the following language functions:
  • Identifying, introducing and describing people, social movements, companies and organisations of general interest
  • Refer to habitual or current actions
  • Express and ask for opinions on someone or something: agreement or disagreement
  • Confirm and refute information provided by others
  • Talk about one’s personal tastes and preferences or personal values
Teaching methods
This course is taught in person and supplemented by self-study exercises and reviews of grammatical and lexical structures, which will be included in the ongoing assessment.
The textbook takes a communicative and task-based approach to learning, and within the context of these tasks, care will be taken to ensure that students present different variations based on the main areas of focus in their studies.
Evaluation methods
The course combines several assessment methods, regarding both the skills assessed, the test formats, and the schedule.
It includes:
  • Continuous assessment tasks covering the syllabus of each course unit, designed to reinforce grammatical and lexical competence, as well as listening and reading comprehension (multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions). These will be supplemented by short written production exercises on the topics covered in these units. These are conducted in the form of exercises.
  • A continuous assessment test at the end of the first semester (written test, multiple-choice questions, and open-ended questions), designed to allow students to demonstrate their assimilation of the first course block's content. This test is part of the continuous assessment framework.
  • A final exam covering grammatical and lexical content, reading comprehension, listening or audiovisual comprehension, pragmatic competence (see PCIC - Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes), and written production. Written test, multiple-choice questions, and open-ended questions. At the end of Semester 2.
  • A final oral exam assessing oral production, pronunciation, and communicative attitude. At the end of Semester 2.
The weighting of the different exams/exercises in the final grade is as follows:
  • Continuous assessment – exercises: 15%
  • Semester 1 Test: 15%
  • Final exam: grammar, vocabulary, and skills (Semester 2): 40%
  • Final exam: oral production, pronunciation, and pragmatic competence: 30%
The marks obtained in the exercises will not be included in the weighting if the final exam scores are below 10/20.
Bibliography
En complément du manuel de cours et du module sur Moodle, les ouvrages suivants sont recommandés :
In addition to the course textbook and the Moodle module, the following books are recommended:
  • Alonso, R., Castañeda, A., Martínez Gila, P., Miquel, L., Ortega, J., & Ruiz Campillo, J. P. (2021). Gramática básica del estudiante de español (ed. rev.). Difusión.
  • Jacobi, C., Melone, L., & Menón, L. (2011). Gramática en contexto. Edelsa.
Teaching materials
  • Bayón, E., Cabeza, C., Cerdeira, P., Esteban, J., García, M., y Oliva, C. (2022). Frecuencias DIRECTO A1-B1 - Libro del estudiante. Editorial Edinumen.
Faculty or entity


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Bachelor in Human and Social Sciences

Bachelor in Sociology and Anthropology

Bachelor in Information and Communication

Bachelor in Political Sciences: General