Our courses will enable you to become proficient in both the written and spoken language. The study of Spanish society and culture will provide the context for your language study.
Main features of the courses:
- A detailed and in-depth study of spoken and written Spanish
- Practical applications of Spanish language
- Examination of aspects of Spanish society and culture
- Opportunities to study specific areas of interest
- Hispano-American studies
- Modules in European literature
- Modules in European cinema
- Placements abroad
Why study Spanish at Chester?
The course will enable students to achieve their full potential in the language. Programme staff are dedicated to effective teaching and learning, using a range of methods. You will be taught in a friendly, lively department in a pleasant learning environment, offering a high level of student support and every opportunity to develop your language skills.
The department has two digital language laboratories, multimedia facilities and video/satellite TV viewing rooms.
Features:
The Spanish programmes involve a variety of learning approaches, making extensive use of audio-visual media and computer-assisted learning as well as written sources. Language classes are in workshop mode and conducted mainly in Spanish, and there is open access to the language facilities. You will have opportunities to study specific areas of personal interest.
One of the most distinctive features of the course is the integration of two different placements abroad. These placements will give you vital, first-hand experience of working or studying abroad and will transform your command of Spanish.
Programme Structure:
Level 4 (Year 1)
The emphasis, in the core language module, is on consolidating and developing your language skills and on extending your knowledge of aspects of contemporary Spain. Students also have a core module which examines parts of Spanish-speaking Latin America.
There are optional modules in European and global literature, cinema and politics. Or you can take an introductory module in Spanish.
Core Modules:
- Introduction to Hispano-American Studies
Option Modules:
- Introduction to European Cinema
- Introduction to European Studies
- Introduction to Literature in Translation
- Introduction to Visual Cultures
- Introduction to German
- Introduction to French
Level 5 (Year 2)
The core language module is again related to the continuing development of your language skills in the context of the study of important aspects of contemporary Spain. You will spend some time looking at the practicalities of living and working in Spain, in preparation for the placement(s) abroad.
Students will write an extended essay, and again there are modules with a pan-European and global focus. Towards the end of their second year, students have the opportunity to undertake a study placement abroad or a work-based learning placement abroad or in the UK.
Core Modules:
- Contemporary Spain
- Extended Essay
Option Modules:
- Modern European Cinema
- European Politics and Culture
- Further Literature in Translation
- European Study Placement (in Spain)
- Languages Work Placement (in Spain)
- Learning in the Wider World (Costa Rica)
- Work-based learning (in UK)
One-year Placements Abroad:
- Study placement (Erasmus)
- Study placement (Mexico)
- English language assistantship (Spain or Latin America)
- Work placement (Spain or Latin America)
Students will spend the third year of their four-year course on a placement in Spain or another Spanish-speaking country. This will be as a student at one of our partner universities, such as Granada, Murcia, Huelva, Zaragoza, ESIC Madrid, Miguel de Cervantes Valladolid or as an English language assistant in a school. Alternatively you may seek a work placement.
Level 6 (Year 3)
The focus in the final year is on high-level language skills. Following your placements abroad, you will demonstrate the linguistic proficiency you have acquired thanks to your first-hand experience of living in a Spanish-speaking environment.
You will continue the study of contemporary Spain to provide you with further insight into Spanish society and culture. Dissertation and Special Study modules enable you to research and write about a specific area of interest, and there are modules which will allow you to develop the specialised skill of translation.
Core Modules:
- Translation Techniques and Application
- Advanced Spanish and Hispano-American Studies
- Dissertation
Option Modules:
- Extended Translation from Spanish
- Special Study
- Language and Society in Hispano-America
- Summary and Synthesis
- Spanish Current Affairs and Media
- Spain in Contemporary Spanish Literature
- Spain in the Cinema
- Fiction as Film in Europe
Assessment is varied and spread across each academic year. In the course of the programme you will be assessed via:
- Written coursework assignments, such as essays and translations
- Language portfolio
- Presentations, debates and other oral assessments in Spanish
- Presentations in English
- In-class tests based on recorded or written sources
- End of module exams
- Dissertation, extended essay, extended translation
- Placement abroad projects and learning logs
There will be regular opportunities for formative assessment with feedback on your work.
In the global employment market, a qualification in Spanish will enhance your ability to look beyond Britain for all or part of your career. Employers in this country are becoming more and more aware of the value of staff who can use languages and are likely to be looking for more graduate linguists.
More than half of UK companies say that they would be more likely to hire a candidate with language skills than one without and that they pay bilingual employees up to 20% more. You may wish to add a further qualification to your first degree, such as the MA in European Languages and Cultures here at Chester.
Specialist courses in interpreting and translation or courses in international business, marketing or bilingual secretarial skills can lead to interesting and well-paid employment. Or you might consider language teaching or teaching English as a foreign language as a career. The transferable skills acquired during your Spanish course will be an asset whatever your future employment may be.
Spanish (Single Honours)
| UCAS points: |
A minimum of 240-280 UCAS points from GCE A Levels or equivalent |
| GCE A Level: |
Grade C or above in Spanish |
| BTEC: |
BTEC National Diploma/Certificate: merit/distinction profile plus GCE A Level Spanish |
| Irish/Scottish Highers: |
B in 4 subjects, including Spanish |
| International Baccalaureate: |
26 points, including 4 in Spanish |
| QAA: |
Open College Units or Open University Credits in Spanish |
| OCR: |
OCR National Extended/Diploma: Merit profile plus GCE A level Spanish |
| Extra Information: |
Welsh Baccalaureate (core) will be recognised in our tariff offer
The Advanced Diploma: acceptable in combination with GCE A Level Spanish
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