MODERN LANGUAGES
All new students are required to sit these Diagnostic Tests (click for time of written and oral tests in French and Spanish). Students should arrange a specific time for their oral interview.
Students are advised that certain courses may demand special prerequisites, and these should be checked for each course. In general, passes at level I in both language and literature are required for entry to all level II and III courses. Students who wish to take a course for which they do not meet the prerequisite should consult the course Lecturer, the Coordinator and/or the Head of Department.
The Club is open to all those interested. Check notice-boards for information about its first meeting.
The Centre has a substantial collection of films in Spanish and students are encouraged to use their free time to view those which interest them. In addition, regular viewings will be organised and announced by Lecturers in Spanish.
The Department enjoys a recently installed Artec Electronics Computer Aided Training system CATS/4, especially designed for language education, whether or not extended with video and/or computer. The use of Language Laboratory facilities is very important for all students of Spanish. Students will work with material designed to correct errors in pronounciation as well as with drills and listening comprehension which reinforce what is covered during the lecture periods. Some tapes may be borrowed for home listening. Self-instructional computer programmes are available. They are to be used during the hours of independent listening. Also at your dis-posal in the Language Laboratory are video cassettes on matters pertaining to the ACP countries. Spanish versions of these video-cassettes are available. The Language Laboratory is also stocked with films in Spanish. In addition to lab sessions scheduled as part of the various language courses, there are other periods during which the facility is open for independent listening. Consult the timetable posted on the door of the laboratory and see the lecturer in charge of your course, who will be able to tell you what material is available.
Students are urged to adhere to the rules that MUST be observed in the language laboratory, such as no eating or drinking, no tampering with the equipment etc., etc. Read and observe these rules. Please help the Department to keep the lab in the best of conditions.
Most of the well-known dictionaries needed for Spanish studies are available in the Reference Section of the Campus Library. Each student should, however, secure a personal copy of the bilingual dictionary recommended in the booklists. The following bilingual dictionaries are recommenced: Collins Spanish-English, English-Spanish Dictionary or the Oxford Spanish Dictionary.
The library also has a number of Spanish magazines which offer good reading, and is well stocked with contemporary novels in Spanish which offer a rich fund of material for language study. Students must take full advantage of the good supply of periodicals located upstairs in the library and should consult the texts recommended in the individual courses.
In recent years, students of Spanish have benefitted from summer programmes in Mexico and Venezuela. Sponsorship has been provided by the private sector. In the summers of 2001 - 2003, second-year students from Cave Hill benefitted from a 6-week programme at the Universidad Nacional, in Bogotá where they not only improved their written and oral skills in the Spanish language, but also learned about and lived in the Colombian culture. This experience provided them with a better understanding of one of the many Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, specifically of Colombia. Details of how to apply for the programme in Colombia can be obtained from Mr. Jairo Sánchez.
You are encouraged to take an active part in the Language Club, visit Spanish-speaking territories, listen to Spanish-speaking radio stations, read magazines and newspapers in Spanish (a number of these are avaliable in the University Library and from members of staff) and speak Spanish as often as possible, in order to expose yourself to the practical use of the language. You should make maximum use of research facilities offered by the library, and of the material available in the Language Laboratory and the Learning Resource Centre for listening/viewing, in order to improve your speaking skills and knowledge of your area of study. Other groups in Barbados contributing to the development of Spanish studies are:
• The Venezuelan Centre for Culture and Cooperation;
• The Cuban Embassy
• The Barbados Association of Foreign Language Teachers.
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