SPA112 Didactics of Spanish part 1, one subject only

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Post-Graduate Certificate in Education

Teaching language

Spanish/Norwegian

Course contents

The course is a part of the 1-year programme in educational theory and practice which consists of didactics in one or two school subjects, pedagogy and practice.

The course is subdivided into three main areas:
- The school's position in society and the subject's place in education
- Pupil knowledge and the role of the teacher
- Teaching and learning

The position of education in society and the subject's place in education deals with the distinctiveness of the subject of Spanish, its development and its legitimization as a school subject. It also deals with the position of the Spanish language in an international context. Knowledge of the National Curriculum Regulations for lower secondary school and reflections on didactical problems will also be focused.

Pupil knowledge and the role of the teacher examines the role of the Spanish teacher, and how knowledge of youth culture and the diversity of the pupils' background and abilities influence the teacher's work. Reflection on the teacher's Spanish language proficiency and the teacher as a role model will also be emphasized. Pedagogical skills in class management, communication and building good learning environments will be focused.

Teaching and learning treats didactic theories, varied work methods and learning strategies. Basic skills, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration will be discussed. The students will be acquainted with various teaching materials including digital tools, and will get practical rehearsal aimed at planning, conducting, adapting, varying and assessing teaching at level 8-10.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge
Upon completion of the course students shall have acquired

• Knowledge about the characteristics of Spanish as a subject

• Knowledge of the National Curriculum for Foreign Languages, Level 1, and how it is adapted to Spanish

• Knowledge about didactical theories and problems in Spanish aimed at level 8-10

• Knowledge of different learning strategies and work methods in Spanish at level 8-10

• Knowledge of basic language proficiency in Spanish

• Knowledge about the pupils' cultural expression and their interest in and awareness of the subject

• Have knowledge about scientific thought and method in subject and didactics

• Have knowledge about the various phases of a research process

Skills
Upon completion of the course students shall

• Be able to apply language proficiency in Spanish in a way that promotes good topical and social learning processes

• Be able to apply knowledge about the National Curriculum for Foreign Languages and the characteristics of Spanish in order to promote good learning processes at level 8-10

• Be able to apply knowledge about youth culture and the diversity of the pupils' backgrounds, and the ability to facilitate learning in Spanish at level 8-10

• Be able to plan, implement, adapt, vary, document and assess the teaching of Spanish at level 8-10

• Be able to analyze the National Curriculum and produce clear and relevant learning aims at level 8-10

• Be able to evaluate and use different teaching materials, including digital tools, aimed at level 8-10

• Be able to plan and prepare a research design with a researchable problem, method and data collection

• Be able to supervise pupils in scientific work

General competence
Upon completion of the course students shall

• Be able to reflect on and discuss didactical problems in general and in Spanish in particular

• Have a professional attitude and be able to adhere to the professional ethical platform

• Be able to further develop his/her own topical and didactical competence

• Be able to make practical use of topical, didactic and pedagogical research

• Be able to develop his/her professional digital competence

• Have competence in research ethics

Examination requirements

• Completed and passed practice

• Mandatory attendance (80%)

• Mandatory attendance at the pre-course

• The interdisciplinary assignment with didactics and pedagogy must be assessed as a pass

• Special requirements for students doing one subject only must be approved. Further information will be given when the semester starts.

Teaching methods

The teaching will be characterized by a variety of work methods in the form of lectures, seminars, group work, conversation, the use of digital tools, school visits, practice and supervision. The students will also plan and implement teaching for each other based on a varied work methods.

Apart from the teaching itself, students will be expected to work with various tasks, individually and in groups. A considerable amount of the students¿ learning and development will depend on individual efforts.

The students' actual participation in practical tasks is a necessary part of the teaching. Mandatory attendance will then be required, including the pre-course.

Students will during the semester plan a research project and prepare a plan for implementation (research design). The plan must contain a problem, relevant theory, as well as method and arrangements for the collection of data.

The students will have six weeks of practice, mainly in lower secondary school.

The workload is estimated to about 400 hours.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1.

Admission for external candidates

No

Assessment methods and criteria

Oral examination including a prepared presentation. Pass/Fail
Written assignment (research design). Pass/Fail
For the grade to be valid both examinations must be assessed as a pass.

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course	Reduction of Credits
SPA107 – Didactics in Spanish in the Postgraduate Certification in Education	15
SPA111 – Didactics of Spanish	7.5
SPA100 – Didactics in Spanish in the Postgraduate Certification in Education	7.5
SPA110 – Didactics of Spanish, part 1 (level 8-13)	7.5
SPA403 – Specialization assignment for one-subject students – Spanish	7.5