General Information

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Spanish 001 is the first half of a year-long beginning Spanish course that includes instruction and practice in all four language skills:  speaking, listening, reading and writing.  You will learn basic grammatical structures with an emphasis on integrating grammar into proficiency-oriented activities.In addition to structured oral practice, classroom sessions will include communicative activities such as role-plays, problem-solving tasks, discussions and debates often carried out in pairs or small groups. The study of articles, poems, songs, films, video-clips and taped conversations of native speakers will increase your knowledge of Spain, Latin America and the other Spanish-speaking areas of the world.

MATERIAL TO BE COVERED: preliminary lesson to lesson eight.

• Greetings and expressions of courtesy Ante todo
• University life Chapter 1
• Family life Chapter 2
• Shopping, clothing, and colors Chapter 3
• House and its furnishings Chapter 4
• The seasons and the weather Chapter 5
• Food and beverages Chapter 6
• Travel, vacations and modes of transportations Chapter 7
• Holydays and celebrations Chapter 8

GOALS:  By the end of the semester, you should be able to use all four-language skills at an elementary level and have an understanding of the Spanish culture.

REQUIRED TEXTS: 

Knorre, M. et al. Puntos de partida, 7a ED.(Textbook)
Sablo-Yates, Maria.  Puntos de partida, (Lab manual)
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: www.mhhe.com/puntos7

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

ATTENDANCE:  Regular attendance in class is REQUIRED.  Your participation grade will be drastically lowered after the 6^th absence.

CLASS PARTICIPATION:  Because the course emphasizes development of communication skills, it is important for you to participate actively in class. Do not be afraid to make mistakes because they are part of the learning process.

ORAL PRESENTATION:  You will be expected to make an inspiring, enriching and edifying presentation to the class on any topic of your choice related to Hispanic culture.

WRITTEN HOMEWORK:  You will have regular homework assignments that focus on the development of writing skills.  All written homework must be handed in on time.

DIARY: It is a companion to accompany you throughout the journey of learning Spanish in a natural context. Even though the first diaries will be structured  there are no limits on your creativity. In addition to your personal entries select a topic on which to find the main idea from the following sources:

1. Spanish-language newscast
2. Radio program
3. Newspaper or magazine article                                       

LAB exercises will be collected on the day of the prueba or exam.
THE LANGUAGE LEARNING CENTER is located at: Denbigh Hall-1^st floor
The Language Learning Center offers all the relevant media sources (language laboratory exercises, tapes of news broadcasts, movies, etc.) essential to your development in comprehension.

TESTS AND EXAMS:  There will be seven pruebas and two exams that will evaluate your understanding of the vocabulary and grammar in each chapter.

QUIZZES:  You will have short weekly quizzes in class or take home quizzes that may or may not be announced in advance.

NOTE: Grading is based strictly and solely on assigned work, tests, exercises, and participation. No work outside the immediate parameters of the assigned work (i.e. extra-credit work) for this course shall be considered for a grade.

FINAL EXAM:  This will be a cumulative exam and it will have an oral component.

FINAL GRADE:

Class participation                                            20%
Homework, Lab and diaries                             15%
Cultural presentation                                          5%
Quizzes                                                            30%
2 Exams                                                          2 0 %
Final exam                                                        10%