Overview
Course summary
Designed for heritage language learners, this course develops the advanced skills needed for academic, professional and formal settings. You will improve the accuracy, range and appropriateness of your speaking and writing, and communicate more confidently in real-world situations.
Using authentic materials, you will explore contemporary issues affecting the countries and communities where the language is spoken while developing your intercultural awareness.
The typical exit level is CEFR C1.1 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Who is this course for?
This course is for heritage speakers of Spanish with an overall level equivalent to approximately CEFR B2 across listening, speaking, reading and writing. Your level of accuracy may vary between skills.
You will complete a language assessment and interview before being accepted onto the course.
Course structure
Teaching
This course uses a communicative, learner-centred approach, with the language of study used as much as possible. Interactive classes include discussions, presentations and practical tasks to develop accuracy, appropriate register and confident communication.
Authentic materials and practical activities will strengthen your grammar and language conventions, as well as transferable skills including communication, critical thinking, teamwork, presentation and research.
You will also undertake regular independent study using videos, audio, online activities and self-assessment tasks provided through Blackboard, the University's Virtual Learning Environment.
Learning resources
All learning resources are provided through Blackboard.
Semester/ part breakdown
The course is taught over two semesters. You must complete semester 1 before progressing to semester 2.
Semester 1: 21 September to 11 December 2026
Semester 2: 18 January to 9 April 2027
You will attend one two-hour workshop each week. There is a one-week teaching break in week 6 of each semester.
Indicative topics include:
- work and employability in a global context
- workplace communication
- business correspondence, proposals and reports
- preparing and delivering presentations
- standard and formal Spanish
- Spanish-language diversity and varieties
- inclusive language
- register and style in professional contexts
- diversity and identity
- current political, economic and social issues relevant to work
There is no summative assessment for short course participants.
Workshop: Wednesdays, 4pm to 6pm.