Ms Carla Fernández
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Languages & Cultures School
This course will consolidate and build on the skills acquired in SPAN1020 and it will prepare students for further study and experiences with speakers of Spanish, whether from Spain, Latin America ﾠor from other regions where the language is used. ﾠWhile speaking and listening will continue to be the primary focus of our activities, there will be an additional focus on ﾠreading and writing and development of intercultural awareness. In addition to linguistic skills, the course will also explore the colonial history of the language and invite you to think about and critically reflect on the ﾠresulting intersectional diversities (racial, linguistic, and cultural, etc.) that characterise the Spanish-speaking world today.ﾠ
Our teaching approach centres on task-oriented language acquisition practices designed to help you progress your ability towards the 'B1.1 Threshold' level of linguistic competency described in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) ﾠ[Click to self-assess your CEFR level]ﾠand prepare you to undertake Spanish study at Intermediate Level (SPAN2020, B1.2).ﾠ Please read the “Assumed Background” section above to make sure this is the right course for you.
We are excited to welcome you in this course and continue with this learning journey juntxs - together! In this course, we’ll learn with and from each other, valuing the unique ideas and perspectives everyone brings. We’ll explore what we know today as 'Spanish' and its connection to diverse cultures, histories, and stories, thinking critically about its richness and complexity. Through collaboration and curiosity, we’ll create a welcoming space where every voice matters and where we can grow as learners and thinkers.
Course requirements
Assumed background
To enrol in this course, students must either:
- a) have ﾠsuccessfully completed ﾠSPAN1020 (minimum mark obtained: 4); or
- b) have an ﾠequivalent level of Spanish language proficiency ﾠ(e.g., equivalent prerequisites gained through prior formal study, interstate or overseas, from residence in a Spanish-speaking country or from independent study).
If your final grade in SPAN1020 was a 3S4, 4 or a 5, we ﾠhighly recommend that you consider increasing the number of hours dedicated to independent studyﾠin order to keep upﾠwith the level of demand ﾠrequired in our intermediate courses and progress towards B1. Please feel free to discuss a suitable action plan with the Course Coordinator.ﾠ
Any students who have studied Spanish formally or informally, lived in a Spanish speaking country, have Spanish speaking background or are native speakers of Spanish must follow our ﾠschool's formalﾠ procedure ﾠto establish their level of linguistic proficiency. This level is determined by means of an ﾠonline questionnaireﾠ and/or an online ﾠplacement interview conducted by Spanish Teaching Staff (please direct any queries in this regard to theﾠSpanish Major Convenor. Please note that enrolment in this course ﾠmay be refusedﾠ on the basis of this interview, previous Spanish study or abilities, and enrolment in a different course may be recommended.ﾠ
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
SPAN1020 or placement test
Course staff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Public holidays:
Alternative arrangements for affected students will be announced through the Blackboard site.
Class allocation:
In order to optimise the student experience, it may be necessary to reallocate students to a different class from their first choice.
Before this happens, every effort will be made to enable students to voluntarily change into an alternative class that is suitable.
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email hass.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full name,
- Student ID, and
- the Course Code
Additional information and support can be found here.
This course is delivered inﾠ2 sessions (100 minutes each) per week over two different daysﾠthroughout the teaching semester. Regular engagement through contact times, active participation during class activities and conscientious completion of weekly homework tasks areﾠessential to attaining the expected outcomes of this course and to the overall progression towards higher levels of Spanish language proficiency.ﾠ
Students are expected to attend 2 sessionsﾠper week of the group in which they are enrolled. Students cannot choose to attend classes from different groups. There will be no exception to this rule except for a student who misses a class because of illness or personal difficulty and has duly communicated with Course Coordinator in this regard. They may catch up with the work by joining another group in that week. For queries in this regard, please contact the Course Coordinator.
As a 2 unit course, SPAN1010 comprises approximately 130 hours of work in total. Excluding the 2 weekly contact sessions, students are expected to devote at least 6 additional hours per week to private study,ﾠengaging, for instance with available pre-lesson activities, post-lesson consolidation and revision tasks, etc.
Once enrolled, students are also expected to check their UQ student email and information available on our LearnUQ Blackboard site regularly in order to keep informed regarding important announcements, weekly content, online learning activities and due dates of assessment tasks.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to consolidate and build on ﾠthe knowledge andﾠskills acquired in SPAN1020ﾠin order to continue expanding students'ﾠ worldview and developing ﾠthe linguistic and critical, ﾠintercultural communication skills required to ﾠinteract with speakers of Spanish around the globe.ﾠThese are highly sought-after transferable skills in contemporary society.
The learning experiences in this course specifically aim ﾠto:
- furtherﾠ our understanding and critical engagement with the colonial history of the language and the intersectional diversities (racial, linguistic, and cultural, etc.) that characterise Spanish-speaking people from around the world today;
- reflect ﾠon ourﾠown and others’ ideas and perspectives, and to stretch our social, political and ecological imagination in general, as well as in relation to the study of the languages and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world,ﾠ particularly, in relation toﾠhistorically underrepresented, minoritized groups;
- developﾠ critical awareness of language learning strategies that may ﾠlead to cultivating independent, self-directed learning routines;ﾠﾠ
- consider ﾠintentional, sustained ﾠengagement with study of Spanish language in the classroom and beyond; and
- offer ﾠa grounding on which to build in Semester 2 (SPAN2020) in order to advance your language proficiency level to fulfil the B1 Intermediate (CEFR) descriptors.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Critically reflect on and recount personal experiences to do with: linguistic repertoires and autobiography; childhood and adolescence (memorable events, past experiences and habitual actions); life milestones (e.g., graduating, first job, having children, etc.), societal issues (e.g., the role of technology in our lives; consumerist trends, etc.) and comparing these to those of other generations, across geographical, cultural and social contexts, using vocabulary, grammatical structures, verb tenses and moods covered in the course.
LO2.
Actively engage in (rehearsed and spontaneous) interactions, demonstrating comprehensible pronunciation, understanding and making yourself understood, initiating and responding to statements (e.g., making suggestions, accepting and declining invitations) in areas of immediate need, very familiar topics and topics covered in the course while also demonstrating awareness of relevant cultural practices (values, rituals, formal and informal registers, etc.).
LO3.
Describe, interpret, critically analyse and (re)produce short, connected oral and written texts (descriptive, narrative and persuasive genres, e.g., emails, commercials, blogs, vlogs, podcasts, interviews, etc.) on topics related to the content of the course, and topics which are familiar or of personal interest (using vocabulary, grammatical structures, verb tenses and moods covered in the course).
LO4.
Reflect on and apply a range of language learning skills and strategies to cultivate meta-cognitive awareness and autonomous, lifelong language learning, while building transferable skills that may enable confident engagement with Spanish in diverse classroom, personal, and real-world contexts.
LO5.
Demonstrate enhanced critical awareness of and respect for the intersectional diversities (racial, linguistic, cultural, etc.) that characterize the Spanish-speaking world and local realities, with a particular focus on historically underrepresented and minoritized groups, including Indigenous peoples of what we know today as Latin America, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution, Portfolio |
Course Engagement PADLET
|
10% |
30/05/2025 5:00 pm
Formative - Throughout the semester |
| Quiz |
Online Non-invigilated Revision Tasks
|
40% (4 x 10%) |
WEEK 4 - 21/03/2025 5:00 pm WEEK 7 - 11/04/2025 5:00 pm WEEK 10 - 9/05/2025 5:00 pm WEEK 13 - 30/05/2025 5:00 pm
ORTs will be available from 8am to 5pm on the Friday of selected weeks. |
| Presentation |
VLOG (Video Log) Presentation
|
15% |
2/05/2025 5:00 pm
WEEK 9 (5 minutes duration) |
| Practical/ Demonstration |
Final Individual Oral Interview (ONLINE)
|
35% |
9/06/2025 - 13/06/2025
First week of Exam Block - 10 minutes. Students sign up for a timeslot. The student's assigned timeslot will be considered the due date and time for this assessment. |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Course Engagement PADLET
- Online
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution, Portfolio
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
30/05/2025 5:00 pm
Formative - Throughout the semester
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05
Task description
In order to demonstrate your participation and engagement in this course, you will be required to contribute weekly to an individual PADLET whose link will be made available on our Blackboard site. This PADLET will require that you make weekly posts (short texts, audio recordings, videos, exercises, images, memes, etc.) and submit a final 200-250 critical reflection written in English regarding your engagement with the course.This final reflection is due on the last day of the teaching semester.
Please note that although students are expected to engage with Padlet suggested prompts on a weekly basis, their individual Padlets will be assessed as a whole at the end of the semester using the marking rubric provided in Blackboard.
Individual student's PADLETS will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Sustained engagement in the course (time-stamped, weekly posts).
- Variety of content posted (audio recordings, videos, exercises, images, etc.).
- Responses to prompts and/or teachers' or classmates' comments and reactions.
- Timely submission and quality of final reflection (200-250 words posted in English, coherent and cohesive text).
STATEMENT ON AI & MT
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
Submission guidelines
Access and submission of Individual Padlet URL is conducted via Blackboard link. Students are responsible for sharing their individual Padlet URL with their teacher via Blackboard as soon as possible after the start of teaching semester in order to facilitate interaction with weekly submissions throughout the semester.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Submission of Final Reflection may only be extended by a maximum of 7 calendar days as this is a formative assessment task designed for students to engage with on a regular basis, throughout the semester.
Online Non-invigilated Revision Tasks
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 40% (4 x 10%)
- Due date
WEEK 4 - 21/03/2025 5:00 pm
WEEK 7 - 11/04/2025 5:00 pm
WEEK 10 - 9/05/2025 5:00 pm
WEEK 13 - 30/05/2025 5:00 pm
ORTs will be available from 8am to 5pm on the Friday of selected weeks.
- Other conditions
- Time limited.
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04
Task description
Online Revision Tasks (ORTs) in this course have been scheduled at the end of each module we are covering this semester and, as such, they are designed to provide you with an opportunity to reflect on your learning journey, aspects that you have mastered and aspects that may require further revision or consolidation.
Students will be required to complete 4 x 10% online, non-invigilated, timed ORTs.
These ORTs will be made available for completion between 8am and 5pm on stipulated days and will take approximately 90 minutes.
Students will be allowed to use class notes and (online) dictionaries and relevant online learning resources.
This series of assessment tasks will allow you to demonstrate competency at A2 level on the CEFR language proficiency scale.
The marking criteria for assessing these tasks will be informed by students' ability to demonstrate mastery and accurate usage of material covered in class and their:
- ability to understand a video/audio conversation/monologue related to the content of the course.
- ability to read and understand short texts on topics related to the content of the course.
- ability to write complete grammatical sentences.
- ability to reuse vocabulary and grammatical items studied in the course (points attributed for vocabulary and grammatical structures correctly used).
- ability to write short, coherent sentences/texts (points attributed for structures and phrases correctly used).
- awareness of Spanish-speaking practices (e.g., when to use tú/ Usted) and other social and cultural practices.
Please note that ORTs are non-invigilated digital assessment tasks which students will complete using their own device. Students should make sure that they have access to a reliable internet connection when completing each task. Only one attempt will be allowed for each ORT.
ORTs will be run in Inspera, an assessment platform which is part of existing suite of digital learning tools at UQ with a wide range of question types, accessibility provisions, and non-English languages. Details about Inspera Assessment including an introduction to its functionality, general practice opportunities, and where to go for support, are available here: https://web.library.uq.edu.au/library-services/it/assessments-inspera. Further information will be provided in the Blackboard site for this course in Week 1 of the semester and ORT practice opportunities will also be available throughout the semester.
STATEMENT ON AI & MT
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
Submission guidelines
Students are encouraged to save a “PrintScreen” copy of their submission at the end of the task showing the time-stamp.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Maximum 14-day extensions are allowed as this is part of a regular series of tasks which students need to complete in order to demonstrate consolidation of content and support sequential nature of learning in this course. Results and correct answers are released every second week, and general feedback is provided and discussed in class.
Late submission
This is a timed activity that students can access via Blackboard link in ORT Assessment folder. It is conducted on the Inspera platform, and answers are automatically submitted at the designated end time.
VLOG (Video Log) Presentation
- Online
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
2/05/2025 5:00 pm
WEEK 9 (5 minutes duration)
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L04, L05
Task description
Time limit of VLOG (Video Log Presentation): mininum 5 minutes (maximum 7 minutes).
This VLOG will assess students' oral and aural skills as well as their ability to deliver a presentation in Spanish and/or to initiate and engage in conversation with classmates.
Further instructions on the topics as well as a detailed ‘how-to-guide’ in relation to the preparation and submission of this vlog will be available on Blackboard.
This assessment item allows you to demonstrate competency at A2 level on the CEFR language proficiency scale in speaking (spoken production).
The assessment criteria for this assessment task will comprise the following aspects:
- Task completion, content and delivery
- Performance and fluency
- Range of grammatical structures and overall accuracy
- Vocabulary re-use
- Pronunciation and Intonation
STATEMENT ON AI & MT
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Via Blackboard submission link.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
The maximum extension length ensures that assessors can provide timely feedback, supporting the progressive, sequential, and cumulative nature of language learning that underpins this course.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Final Individual Oral Interview (ONLINE)
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Online
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
9/06/2025 - 13/06/2025
First week of Exam Block - 10 minutes. Students sign up for a timeslot. The student's assigned timeslot will be considered the due date and time for this assessment.
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05
Task description
The Individual Oral Interview will take place at the end of the semester, during Exam period on a set date (to be confirmed) and it will assess students' oral and aural skills.
The oral interview will last approximately 8-10 minutes and will be conducted ONLINE via a LIVE ZOOM MEETING with your lecturer (examiner) and another lecturer in the teaching team (interviewer). Students will be able to sign up for a 10-minute time slot during the last two weeks of the teaching semester (WEEKS 12 and 13).
This assessment item allows you to demonstrate competency at A2 level on the CEFR language proficiency scale in speaking (spoken production and interaction).
Emphasis will be placed on oral production, comprehension and fluency as well as accuracy in grammatical structures and lexical knowledge acquired throughout the semester.
The assessment criteria for this assessment task will comprise the following aspects:
- Rehearsed performance
- Comprehension during interview questions
- Fluency in spontaneous performance
- Range of grammatical structures and overall accuracy
- Vocabulary re-use
- Pronunciation and Intonation
Additional preparatory guidelines for the Final Individual Interview will be distributed and discussed in class in the weeks leading to the test.
STATEMENT ON AI & MT
This assessment task is to be completed live via Zoom. This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Students must obtain a minimum score of 40% on this final assessment task in order to pass this course. Students who do not achieve at least 40% on this final oral interview can only receive an overall grade of 3 or less for the course.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: None of the course requirements are met. The student never uses communication strategies and barely attempts to communicate in basic Spanish. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student fails to demonstrate basic understanding of the items introduced in the course, nor has developed proficiency level in four skill areas to carry out any of the course objectives.The students uses very little communication in intermediate Spanish and demonstrates little or non understanding of the structures of intermediate Spanish. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The student hardly uses communication strategies and demonstrates a limited understanding of spoken and written Spanish at this level. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student does not use communication strategies very effectively. Understanding of spoken and written Spanish is generally good but details may be missed. The students's use of vocabulary is limited. Errors will occasionally affect meaning. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student occasionally uses effective communication strategies. Understanding of spoken and written Spanish is generally good. The students's use of vocabulary is good. Fluency is subject to fluctuation. The student attempts to use a range of structures in Spanish. While errors occur, they do not on the whole affect meaning. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student uses effective communication strategies. Understanding of spoken and written Spanish is very good. The student uses consistently comprehensible sentences and responds fluently, appropriately and confidently. In speech and writing the student uses a wide range of vocabulary and Spanish structures. Very few errors. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The student effectively uses communication strategies. Understanding of spoken and written Spanish is very good. The student uses consistently comprehensible sentences and responds fluently, appropriately and confidently. In speech and writing the student uses a wide range of vocabulary and structures with accuracy and attempts to use language creatively. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Students must obtain aﾠ minimum score of 40% on the Final Oral Interview in order to pass this course: this is an Identity Verified Assessment Hurdle. Students who do not achieve at least 40% on this assessment item can only receive an overall grade of 3 or less for the course. Students that receive a grade of 3 may be eligible to apply for supplementary assessment. If you receive a 3 because of your performance on the oral, your supplementary assessment will require you to demonstrate your oral interaction skills.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Students are highly encouraged to regularly access authentic Spanish language material in range of media (online, social media, television, podcasts, etc.).
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Tutorial |
WEEK 1 - Introduction + MODULE 1 "El español y yo" Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Tutorial |
WEEK 2 - MODULE 1 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Tutorial |
WEEK 3 - MODULE 1 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Tutorial |
WEEK 4 - MODULE 1 ONLINE REVISION TASK 1 (10%) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Tutorial |
WEEK 5 - MODULE 2 "Relaciones y generaciones" Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Tutorial |
WEEK 6 - MODULE 2 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Tutorial |
WEEK 7 - MODULE 2 ONLINE REVISION TASK 2 (10%) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
Tutorial |
WEEK 8 - MODULE 3 "El bienestar y la salud" Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID-SEMESTER BREAK Independent, self-directed revision. Learning outcomes: L04 |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Tutorial |
WEEK 9 - MODULE 3 VLOG (15%) DUE 5pm, FRIDAY Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
Tutorial |
WEEK 10 - MODULE 3 Session 1 cancelled across groups due to the Monday 5 May, Labour Day Public Holiday. Session 2 as normal. ONLINE REVISION TASK 3 (10%) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Tutorial |
WEEK 11 - MODULE 4 "El consumismo y la publicidad" Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Tutorial |
WEEK 12 - MODULE 4 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Tutorial |
WEEK 13 - MODULE 4 ONLINE REVISION TASK 4 (10%) & FINAL REFLECTION ON COURSE ENGAGEMENT PADLET DUE 5pm, FRIDAY Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.