Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Catalan courses - Beginner Catalan

Total number of hours:           30 h
Accreditation:                       Accredited UPF certificate
Language of Instruction:         Catalan

I. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COURSE:

A basic level course (CEFR A1) which aims, from a communicative perspective, to develop in an integrated and meaningful way the fundamental linguistic skills of listening and reading comprehension, and oral and written expression. Furthermore, emphasis will be placed on lexical and grammatical content whilst always seeking to respond to the communicative and academic needs of the student.


II. PRE-REQUISITES: None.
  

III. METHODOLOGY:

In both its objectives and methodology, the course is highly communicative in its focus. This means that learning outcomes are set through capacity for language use and that course content is derived directly from the objectives established. The methodology is based on the practical use of Catalan with appropriate reflection to help in the assimilation of the language.
  

IV. EVALUATION SYSTEM: 

The final grade for the course is distributed in the following way.

 CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT  Participation (10%)
 2 practical assessed activities (40%)
 1 oral presentation (20%)
70 %
 FINAL EXAM
30%


V. GRADING AND CLASSIFICATION SCHEME: 

In assessed pieces of work, progress tests and the final exam, the following grading and classification scheme will be used:

Final Course Grade: (70% continuous assessment + 30% final exam)
Quantitative Grade
Qualitative Grade

 The student will fail in any of the following cases:
 a) When they obtain a result of less than 5 out of 10 for the final course grade.
 b) When they obtain a result of less than 5 out of 10 on the final exam.
 c) When they do not meet the PEI's attendance policy.
Unsatisfactory Performance
   5,0 - 6,9
Adequate Performance
   7,0 - 8,9
Good Performance
   9,0 - 10
Excellent Performance


VI. ATTENDANCE POLICY AND WORKLOAD  

As language study is a cumulative process which requires continual practice to assimilate knowledge and skills, attendance is obligatory. In order to receive a final grade, students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes. In exceptional cases, and for justified reasons authorized by the appropriate committee, students will be allowed to be absent for more than 20%, providing that absence is not greater than 40% of the course.

In order to ensure the maximum benefit is gained, students are required not only to attend classes, but also to participate actively in class and to dedicate a minimum of one hour of study outside of class on a daily basis. During this time, students will undertake tasks set by the professor and revise material covered.

Students must submit work in strict accordance with the deadlines set. Failure to do so will result in the assignment mark being lowered by one point for every day after the hand-in date.

VII. COURSE OBJECTIVES:  

  • Express opinions or simple requests in everyday contexts
  • Understand clear information on familiar subjects, such as labels on products and signs, and simple literary texts or narratives on familiar topics
  • Fill out forms and write brief letters or messages and notes about personal information

 
VIII. COURSE CONTENTS: 

FUNCTIONAL CONTENT

  • Greeting and taking leave
  • Introducing oneself and others
  • Expressing thanks and responding to gratitude
  • Describing people, places and things
  • Requesting information and providing information about people, places and things
  • Refusing to do something
  • Turn taking
  • Asking how to pronounce a word or phrase
  • Asking for repetition or clarification
  • Paraphrasing

GRAMMATICAL CONTENT 

  • Determiners:
    • definite and indefinite article
    • demonstrative, possessive and interrogative
    • numerals: cardinals, ordinals and partitives
  • Pronouns:
    • demonstrative, possessive and interrogative
    • personal: tonic forms and atonic forms of DO and IO
  • Verb tenses:
    • indicative present
    • periphrastic past
    • imperfect past
    • future
  • Periphrastic form for obligation: haver de
  • Adverbs of time, place, direction, quantity and manner
  • Prepositions of location, direction and possession
  • Conjunctions
  • Phonetics and orthography:
    • the vowel and consonant system
    • reduced vowels

LEXICAL CONTENT

  • Personal information
  • Home and address
  • Professions and professional life
  • Hobbies and free time
  • Travel and transport
  • Shopping and dining
  • Weather


IX. COURSE MATERIAL: 

A dossier of material will be used to work in and outside class. This will be complemented with additional material handed out by the professor during the course.


X. ADDITIONAL COURSE ACTIVITIES:

During the course, students will take part in a cultural visit.


XI. REFERENCE MATERIAL:

  • Manuals:
    • Dolors Badia, Llengua catalana. Nivell llindar 1. Barcelona: Editorial L'Àlber, 1997.
    • Roig, N. et al. Passos 1. Barcelona: Editorial Octaedro, 2006.
  • Grammars:
    • Xuriguera, J. Els verbs catalans conjugats. Barcelona: Claret, 1998.
    • Alegre, M. Gramaticard. Totes les regles de la gramàtica catalana. Barcelona: Castellnou, 1995.