UCL CENTRE FOR LANGUAGES
& INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
SSCs 2015-2016
Spanish for Medicine and Current Affairs
Prerequisite for entry
Successful completion of Spanish Syllabus D at the UCL CLIE, a high ‘A’ level grade or if you have a very good grasp of the
language and are able to conduct a conversation without difficulty.
Course duration
Year 1 students: double-block (16 x 3-hour classes. Block 1: 8 x 3-hour classes; Block 2: workshops and tutorials related
to Project).
Year 2 students: single block (8 x 3-hour classes).
Self-Study
40 hours in total.
Course codes
LCSM6005.
Aims and Objectives
The course is designed for advanced level students. It teaches specialised vocabulary to enable participants to use their
language skills in a professional environment, such as meetings and conferences, as well as covering related topics such
as current affairs and the latest trends in Spanish and Latin American society. The course will enhance knowledge of
Hispanic life, society and business culture using complex and linguistically accurate structures (different types of discourse,
register). Cultural awareness will be further developed and raised within a European/global context. Language learning
skills, including autonomous learning and how to approach authentic material, will be further enhanced. Various
transferable skills will also be covered. Medical related issues/vocabulary will also be covered.
Functions
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expressing opinions, critical medical-related comments;
debating, commenting, negotiating in a medical environment;
suggesting, accepting, refusing;
describing pharmaceutical companies and medical institutions;
defining medical concepts;
composing written pieces of information for medical purposes;
conducting presentations on complex medical topics.
Course Content
Main topics/themes that can be covered
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The World Health Organization, its origin and work carried out in Spain and Spanish America;
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Spanish pharmaceutical companies;
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Generic and bogus medicines;
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The economic crisis and health in Spain;
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Smoking in Spain. Law, health and society;
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Spanish Voluntary workers;
NGOs and health. Work in Spain and Spanish America;
Drinking water and health issues in Spanish America.
Skills
Reading
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newspapers (economics and politics): reading for gist, scanning for specific information;
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in-depth analysis of socio-economic topics in major newspapers/magazines.
Writing
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Business letters and reports;
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Note-taking from presentations;
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Writing up presentations.
Listening
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radio, television, audio- and video-tapes;
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presentations.
Speaking
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formal and informal discussions, debates, round table;
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presentations.
Linguistic Structures
Grammar and Vocabulary
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emphasis on vocabulary;
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revision of the most advanced and challenging grammatical items, e.g.
subordination;
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use of the subjunctive:
- with idiomatic expressions like: ¡qué alegría que...!, ¡qué extraño que...!;
- in idiomatic expressions like: pase lo que pase
in clauses with: por + adjective/adverb + que...;
in concessive clauses: aunque..., aun cuando...;
in causal clauses after a negative: no porque...sino porque...;
in modal clauses: como..., como si...
to express opinion: estar en contra / a favor de que..., ser partidario de que...;
after expressions like: lo bueno..., lo malo..., lo aburrido...
Discourse Strategies
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analysing/comparing various sources (different text types);
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preparing oral contributions for different audiences;
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cohesion.
Main Aspects of These Strategies
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structuring (logical structures);
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linking devices (lexical, grammatical);
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stylistic levels, formal registers and their usage;
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format.
Learning Resources
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Nueva gramática de la lengua española, manual, (Espasa Libros) – optional – ISBN: 9788467032819
The Oxford Spanish Dictionary, New Second Edition (Oxford University Press) – ISBN: 9780199543403
Business Spanish Dictionary - English-Spanish and Spanish-English (Peter Collins Publishing)
- ISBN: 9780199543403
Materials for the course will be drawn from:
Authentic written material from various sources such as El País, ABC, Cambio 16, etc.
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Authentic audio and audio-visual material (radio and television).
In addition there is a wide range of language learning materials available for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.