SPA401 Didactics of Spanish

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Post-Graduate Certificate in Education

Teaching language

Spanish/Norwegian

Prerequisites

SPA111

Course contents

The course is a part of the one-year programme in educational pedagogy 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 in secondary education. It also deals with the position of the Spanish language in an international context. 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. Skills in classroom management, communication and building good learning environments will be central.

Teaching and learning treats didactic theories, varied work methods and learning strategies related to the teaching of Spanish at levels 11-13. The students¿ knowledge about various printed and digital teaching materials adapted to this level will be emphasized. The main area will be Spanish language proficiency and interdisciplinary basic skills. The students will be acquainted with various teaching aids, including digital tools. Practical rehearsal will be in the form of planning, conducting, adapting and assessing Spanish teaching.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge
Upon completion of the course students shall have acquired

• Knowledge of the National Curriculum for Foreign Languages, Level 1, and how it is adapted to Spanish at level 11-13

• Knowledge of Spanish didactics at level 11-13

• Knowledge of different learning strategies and work methods in Spanish aimed at level 11-13

• Knowledge of basic language proficiency in Spanish

• Knowledge about the multicultural school and the possibilities and challenges it represents for teaching Spanish

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

Skills
Upon completion of the course students shall

• 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 11-13

• 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 11-13

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

• Be able to plan for development of intercultural competence

• Be able to plan, implement, adapt and evaluate the teaching of Spanish at level 11-13

• Be able to analyze the National Curriculum and produce clear and relevant learning aims at level 11-13

• Be able to evaluate and use different teaching materials, including digital tools, aimed at level 11-13

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

• Be able to present didactical problems that are relevant for Spanish as a school subject

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

• Have a reflected attitude to his/her professional digital competence and how this can be further developed

• Have a professional attitude and be able to reflect critically on topical, ethical and political questions related to Spanish as a subject

Teaching methods

The teaching will be characterized by a variety of work methods in the form of lectures, conversation, use of digital aids, school visits, practice and supervision. The students will also be responsible for planning and implementing teaching for fellow-students, based on 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.

Students who have selected Spanish as the first subject will, in pairs or in small groups, write an interdisciplinary R&D assignment related to the practice. Instructions for the presentation of the R&D work will be described separately.

The students who have selected Spanish as the second subject will write an interdisciplinary assignment

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

The workload is estimated to about 200 hours.

Evaluation

The person responsible for the course, 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

3-day individual home examination. Graded assessment.

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
SPA402 – Didactics of Spanish part 2, one subject only	7.5
SPA100 – Didactics in Spanish in the Postgraduate Certification in Education	7.5
SPA107 – Didactics in Spanish in the Postgraduate Certification in Education	7.5
SPA400 – Didactics of Spanish, part 2 (level 8-13)	7.5