Spanish 3B

Students entering at this level should be able to understand and communicate effectively, though not necessarily accurately, in Spanish. It is likely that students will have studied 140 hours of Spanish recently as a minimum.
To join language courses at stage 3, it is expected that you have reached A2 level of competency in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and that you are working towards CEFR B1. If you are not sure, please take our self-assessment.
Download self-assessment questionnaire

This course particularly aims to develop reading, listening and speaking. It is not suitable for those who wish to take a more academic, gramatical approach or who wish to do a lot of work on their written Spanish. Existing knowledge is used and extended and students are exposed to stimulating material and topics in order to improve linguistic capacity, widen understanding, foster confidence and self expression in Spanish and become further familiarised with the culture of Spanish speaking people.

You will be working towards reaching B1 level of competency in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), incorporating these objectives:
- Understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Understand the main point of many radio or TV programmes on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.
- Understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday language.
- Understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters.
- Deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events).
- Connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions. Briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. Narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe your reactions.
- Write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.
- Write personal letters describing experiences and impressions.

The emphasis on the course will be on developing confidence in speaking and reading and so the activities used will be communicative. There will be small group work, pair work, whole group discussion and debate, roleplay, games, presentations by the tutor and the students, video, audio and an opportunity for research on the internet through demonstration of useful websites on the smartboard in the classroom.
Your tutor will assess your learning throughout the course and you will receive regular feedback. You will also have the opportunity to evaluate your own progress and discuss it with your tutor at the end of the course.

Pen, paper and a ring binder or folder. The tutor will recommend grammar and language activities books as well as dictionaries. There will be some reading or research to be done for the following week's class and students are encouraged to read, listen to Spanish radio or TV and spend as much time as possible being exposed to the language. The tutor will advise.

Spanish Stage 3C at the MWC.