Spanish I and Mediaition
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the characteristics of current Spanish, its varieties and dissemination in the world. Word formation and the most relevant features of professional and specialised languages (with reference to means of communication and tourism) will be examined. The course includes a theoretical introduction, followed by a practical part focusing on the critical analysis of texts in the frame of the discursive genre to which they belong, and their applications to professional contexts. It also aims to develop students' oral and written skills, with a focus on expository texts, as well as to provide them with basic skills in the field of textual and communicative mediation. Acquisition of basic grammar structures will also be promoted through communication.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students should have acquired Spanish proficiency at least at B1 level under the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), having a good command of the basic linguistic skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). Moreover, they should be able to describe the contents of the course in Spanish and to analyse a text on their own, paying particular attention to its functional and lexical aspects. The should also be able to adopt some mediation strategies.
Lesson period: year
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
year
Course syllabus
The course is structured on the following teaching units:
1. "Aspectos del español actual" (20 hours, I semester, prof. Mapelli)
The diffusion of Spanish around the world; main varieties of peninsular and American Spanish; Spanish and official languages in Spain. Phonetic-phonological characteristics of the main varieties of Spanish, also in a Spanish-Italian contrasting key. Lexical variation and procedures for the formation of words.
2. "Introducción a las lenguas de especialidad" (20 hours, I semester + 20 hours, II semester, prof. Mapelli)
Introduction to text linguistics and discourse genres. Introduction to specialist languages; language of advertising and media, scientific dissemination, language of tourism, literary language. Critical reading of texts of different kinds (e.g. advertisements, news, technical manual, tourist guide, reports, etc.).
3) Interlinguistic mediation between Spanish in its different varieties and Italian (20 hours, II semester, Prof. Satti)
The module aims to acquire the three mediation skills indicated in the Complementary Volume of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for initial and intermediate levels: mediating on a textual level (conveying specific information, being able to explain simple data contained in informational texts, being able to translate or elaborate a written text, being able to take notes, being able to express one's own point of view regarding progressively more complex topics); mediating on a conceptual level (collaborating in the process of constructing meaning, being able to manage interactions); mediating on a communicative level (being able to manage an interaction, simplifying a text). Working materials will be made available during the course on MyAriel. At the end of the module, there will be an in itinere assessment for attending students, or alternatively during the official course calls
EXERCISE LESSONS
The course includes a cycle of exercises divided into three levels.
1) The exercises for beginners (80 hours, I and II semester) are aimed at the acquisition of basic grammatical structures through communicative use. They are also recommended for students with limited knowledge (level A1-A2). At the end of the course, the student is expected to reach a competence no lower than level B1 (threshold level) of the European Framework of Reference, which requires a fair command of the language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking).
2) The intermediate level exercises (80 hours, I and II semester) are aimed at consolidating the B1 level, with particular emphasis on practising grammatical structures and strengthening vocabulary. They are aimed in particular at students who have taken Spanish courses at school (non-certified B1 level).
3) The advanced level exercises (80 hours, I and II semester) are reserved for students in possession of DELE B2 or higher, or native speakers of Spanish. They aim to deepen the communicative use of the language in professional contexts.
Attendance is compulsory. During the exercise lessons, there will be different in-progress tests aimed at ascertaining listening comprehension, reading comprehension, oral production and written production skills.
Information on the programme
In order to have up-to-date information on the organisation of the courses and the activities offered, students are invited to regularly consult the information available on MyAriel. Within MyAriel, self-assessment tests, exercises and other self-study activities can be carried out; in addition, course-related materials, bibliographical indications and other news of interest can be found.
1. "Aspectos del español actual" (20 hours, I semester, prof. Mapelli)
The diffusion of Spanish around the world; main varieties of peninsular and American Spanish; Spanish and official languages in Spain. Phonetic-phonological characteristics of the main varieties of Spanish, also in a Spanish-Italian contrasting key. Lexical variation and procedures for the formation of words.
2. "Introducción a las lenguas de especialidad" (20 hours, I semester + 20 hours, II semester, prof. Mapelli)
Introduction to text linguistics and discourse genres. Introduction to specialist languages; language of advertising and media, scientific dissemination, language of tourism, literary language. Critical reading of texts of different kinds (e.g. advertisements, news, technical manual, tourist guide, reports, etc.).
3) Interlinguistic mediation between Spanish in its different varieties and Italian (20 hours, II semester, Prof. Satti)
The module aims to acquire the three mediation skills indicated in the Complementary Volume of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for initial and intermediate levels: mediating on a textual level (conveying specific information, being able to explain simple data contained in informational texts, being able to translate or elaborate a written text, being able to take notes, being able to express one's own point of view regarding progressively more complex topics); mediating on a conceptual level (collaborating in the process of constructing meaning, being able to manage interactions); mediating on a communicative level (being able to manage an interaction, simplifying a text). Working materials will be made available during the course on MyAriel. At the end of the module, there will be an in itinere assessment for attending students, or alternatively during the official course calls
EXERCISE LESSONS
The course includes a cycle of exercises divided into three levels.
1) The exercises for beginners (80 hours, I and II semester) are aimed at the acquisition of basic grammatical structures through communicative use. They are also recommended for students with limited knowledge (level A1-A2). At the end of the course, the student is expected to reach a competence no lower than level B1 (threshold level) of the European Framework of Reference, which requires a fair command of the language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking).
2) The intermediate level exercises (80 hours, I and II semester) are aimed at consolidating the B1 level, with particular emphasis on practising grammatical structures and strengthening vocabulary. They are aimed in particular at students who have taken Spanish courses at school (non-certified B1 level).
3) The advanced level exercises (80 hours, I and II semester) are reserved for students in possession of DELE B2 or higher, or native speakers of Spanish. They aim to deepen the communicative use of the language in professional contexts.
Attendance is compulsory. During the exercise lessons, there will be different in-progress tests aimed at ascertaining listening comprehension, reading comprehension, oral production and written production skills.
Information on the programme
In order to have up-to-date information on the organisation of the courses and the activities offered, students are invited to regularly consult the information available on MyAriel. Within MyAriel, self-assessment tests, exercises and other self-study activities can be carried out; in addition, course-related materials, bibliographical indications and other news of interest can be found.
Prerequisites for admission
The course requires no prior knowledge of the Spanish language and can also be attended by absolute beginners, with appropriate tutorial support.
Teaching methods
Lectures + language exercise lessons
Lessons are held in Spanish
PLEASE NOTE THAT LESSONS WILL NOT BE RECORDED
Lessons are held in Spanish
PLEASE NOTE THAT LESSONS WILL NOT BE RECORDED
Teaching Resources
Teaching Resources
OFFICIAL COURSE
- Lecture notes available at the university bookshop, integrated with the materials published on MyAriel
- CALVI, M.V. / BORDONABA, C. / MAPELLI, G. / SANTOS, J., Las lenguas de especialidad en español, Carocci, Rome 2023 (chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9; remaining chapters will be studied in the second year).
EXERCISE LANGUAGE LESSONS
Text adopted for beginners and intermediate level:
CALVI M.V. / GÓMEZ E. / MAPELLI G. / ORTEGA A. / RODRÍGUEZ I., Enhorabuena. Curso y gramática de español para italianos, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2020.
Text adopted for advances students:
J. CORPAS, JA. GARMENDIA, C. SORIANO, Aula Internacional Plus 3, Difusión, 2022
OTHER REFERENCE TEXTS
DÍAZ, L. / YAGÜE, A., papELEs. Gramática del español como lengua extranjera, Nivel A
http://marcoele.com/gramatica/gramatica-a/
DÍAZ, L. / YAGÜE, A., elefante. Gramática del español como lengua extranjera, Nivel B
http://marcoele.com/gramatica/gramatica-b/
(Highly recommended for all non-attendance students and for self-learning).
RECOMMENDED DICTIONARIES
Monolingual dictionaries:
CLAVE, Diccionario de uso de español actual, SM, Madrid, ult. ed.
Bilingual dictionaries:
GARZANTI, Dizionario Medio Spagnolo, Milano 2007.
ESPASA PARAVIA, Il dizionario Spagnolo Italiano Italiano Spagnolo, Paravia, Torino 2005.
ARQUÉS, R., PADOAN, A, Il grande dizionario di spagnolo. Spagnolo-italiano italiano-español, Zanichelli, Bologna 2012.
OFFICIAL COURSE
- Lecture notes available at the university bookshop, integrated with the materials published on MyAriel
- CALVI, M.V. / BORDONABA, C. / MAPELLI, G. / SANTOS, J., Las lenguas de especialidad en español, Carocci, Rome 2023 (chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9; remaining chapters will be studied in the second year).
EXERCISE LANGUAGE LESSONS
Text adopted for beginners and intermediate level:
CALVI M.V. / GÓMEZ E. / MAPELLI G. / ORTEGA A. / RODRÍGUEZ I., Enhorabuena. Curso y gramática de español para italianos, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2020.
Text adopted for advances students:
J. CORPAS, JA. GARMENDIA, C. SORIANO, Aula Internacional Plus 3, Difusión, 2022
OTHER REFERENCE TEXTS
DÍAZ, L. / YAGÜE, A., papELEs. Gramática del español como lengua extranjera, Nivel A
http://marcoele.com/gramatica/gramatica-a/
DÍAZ, L. / YAGÜE, A., elefante. Gramática del español como lengua extranjera, Nivel B
http://marcoele.com/gramatica/gramatica-b/
(Highly recommended for all non-attendance students and for self-learning).
RECOMMENDED DICTIONARIES
Monolingual dictionaries:
CLAVE, Diccionario de uso de español actual, SM, Madrid, ult. ed.
Bilingual dictionaries:
GARZANTI, Dizionario Medio Spagnolo, Milano 2007.
ESPASA PARAVIA, Il dizionario Spagnolo Italiano Italiano Spagnolo, Paravia, Torino 2005.
ARQUÉS, R., PADOAN, A, Il grande dizionario di spagnolo. Spagnolo-italiano italiano-español, Zanichelli, Bologna 2012.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination comprises a series of written and oral tests, which will take place as follows:
LINGUISTIC SKILLS TEST: includes tests of oral comprehension, written comprehension, oral production and written production, which take place during exercises.
WRITTEN WRITTEN EXAMINATION: takes place 3 times a year (May, September, January) and includes the following tests (to be taken without vocabulary)
1) grammar and vocabulary test:
-50 multiple-choice questions. The test is designed to ascertain knowledge of basic morphosyntactic structures, with particular emphasis on the complete conjugations of regular and irregular verbs. This test is preparatory to the other tests, which take place at the same time.
-10 exercises of various types (completion, matching and ordering) aimed at ascertaining knowledge of basic vocabulary.
Total time available: 45 minutes.
ORAL EXAMINATION (6 examinations per year): interview in Spanish covering the topics of the official course, including 15 annotated texts (according to the scheme provided in chapter 3 of the book Las lenguas de especialidad), chosen from the handout. In addition, everyone will bring to the examination an independently prepared text belonging to one of the discursive genres studied. The test is designed to ascertain, in addition to oral production and exposition skills, knowledge of the course content and the ability to critically read the texts, with particular emphasis on the one chosen by the student. The test also includes verification of mediation skills.
The various written and oral tests contribute to the definition of the final grade, expressed in thirtieths.
IMPORTANT WARNINGS
- You must have passed the written examination in order to sit the oral examination.
- Tests taken at ordinary examinations are valid for one academic year.
- The validity of examinations taken at ordinary appeals is one academic year (and is specified when the results are published).
- The final grade (written + oral) can only be recorded at oral examinations, subject to registration.
- In order to sit the examination, whether written or oral, it is essential to be registered. You must present yourself with an identification document.
In addition, those who have registered and decide not to appear are kindly requested to cancel their registration through Unimia or to infom the professor, by the closing date of the exam, to allow for better organisation of the exam
LINGUISTIC SKILLS TEST: includes tests of oral comprehension, written comprehension, oral production and written production, which take place during exercises.
WRITTEN WRITTEN EXAMINATION: takes place 3 times a year (May, September, January) and includes the following tests (to be taken without vocabulary)
1) grammar and vocabulary test:
-50 multiple-choice questions. The test is designed to ascertain knowledge of basic morphosyntactic structures, with particular emphasis on the complete conjugations of regular and irregular verbs. This test is preparatory to the other tests, which take place at the same time.
-10 exercises of various types (completion, matching and ordering) aimed at ascertaining knowledge of basic vocabulary.
Total time available: 45 minutes.
ORAL EXAMINATION (6 examinations per year): interview in Spanish covering the topics of the official course, including 15 annotated texts (according to the scheme provided in chapter 3 of the book Las lenguas de especialidad), chosen from the handout. In addition, everyone will bring to the examination an independently prepared text belonging to one of the discursive genres studied. The test is designed to ascertain, in addition to oral production and exposition skills, knowledge of the course content and the ability to critically read the texts, with particular emphasis on the one chosen by the student. The test also includes verification of mediation skills.
The various written and oral tests contribute to the definition of the final grade, expressed in thirtieths.
IMPORTANT WARNINGS
- You must have passed the written examination in order to sit the oral examination.
- Tests taken at ordinary examinations are valid for one academic year.
- The validity of examinations taken at ordinary appeals is one academic year (and is specified when the results are published).
- The final grade (written + oral) can only be recorded at oral examinations, subject to registration.
- In order to sit the examination, whether written or oral, it is essential to be registered. You must present yourself with an identification document.
In addition, those who have registered and decide not to appear are kindly requested to cancel their registration through Unimia or to infom the professor, by the closing date of the exam, to allow for better organisation of the exam
L-LIN/07 - LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION - SPANISH - University credits: 12
Lessons: 80 hours
Professors:
Mapelli Giovanna Maria, Satti Luis Ignacio
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment (to arrange in advance by email)
Polo di Mediazione, P.zza I. Montanelli, 1 - Sesto S. Giovanni (room 4011)