WELCOME TO SPANISH 164

Dear Students:
This course is part of the first year experience in Spanish and is designed for students who have had one semester of Spanish at WCSU or no more than two years of high school study, or who have placed into this course through placement examination. The aim is to develop the four basic skills (listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing), and to prepare students for further study in the language. The discussion of distinctive cultural aspects of the Hispanic world is an integral part of this course.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the course, successful students will be able to communicate in highly predictable common daily settings, and will have achieved a mastery of the grammatical concepts and vocabulary through study and continuous oral and written practice. At the end of the semester the student should be able to do the following: 

·        Asking about and describing housing and household items

·        Discussing daily activities in the home

·        Expressing ongoing actions

·        Describing physical and emotional states

·        Expressing obligation

·        Talking about clothing and shopping

·        Asking for and telling prices

·        Expressing measurements

·        Expressing and describing physical activities

·        Talking about past events

·        Talking and asking questions about weather conditions

·         Expressing preferences, desires and feelings

·        Asking and giving permission

·        Expressing how long events have been going on, and how long ago they took place

·        Talking about holiday activities

·        Expressing ongoing actions in the past

·        Extending, accepting, and declining invitations

·        Making comparisons

·        Talking about the work[place and professions

·        Discussing job skills and abilities

·        Giving formal orders and instructions

·        Expressing intention

 

 Required Text: Mosaicos: Spanish as a World Language, 4/E

 

Assignments

Purpose: To give you an opportunity to advance in your mastery of Spanish as a second language with emphasis on grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing. Assignments are web based and can be completed from any Internet connected computer.  Your instructor may also give worksheets and other assignments.  .

 

How they work: Your homework assignments are housed on Quia website:

http://books.quia.com/books/

 

Your instructor will indicate the content of the assignments and when they are due. Web-based assignments should be completed by the posted due date.  Once the deadline is gone you cannot submit your work.

 

Unit Tests

Purpose: To validate your progress in the acquisition of Spanish with emphasis on grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing and beginning cultural and literary appreciation.

How they work: There are 5 unit tests over the course of the semester. They may contain any of the material covered in- or outside of class. The test may take any of several forms, including, but not limited to: matching, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, or essay. The tests will be scored on a percentage basis. One test will be dropped in the final calculation of the course grade.

 

NOTE:  There is NO make up for unit tests unless you have a documented excuse (doctor’s note, emergency verification or the like for the date you missed the class).  All arrangements should be made within a week’s time of missed work.  Personal reasons for missing classes or turning in assignments cannot de excused.

 

 Requirements

Participation with oral presentations                                  25%
Assignments                                                                       10%
Unit tests                                                                             30%
Cultural Diversity Project                                                  5%
Exams                                                                                 30%

 


Participation
Regular attendance and active participation are crucial to achievement and to the development of competence in a language class that develops skills. In all language classrooms, there is a high degree of diversity of learning styles, motivation, interest, and ability. To perform to your maximum potential, you should actively participate in all class activities, assignments, discussions, etc.

Absences and late arrivals affect the final grade. Arriving on time and prepared for class with a positive attitude and respect for the ideas and opinions of other class members positively affects the participation grade.  You will evaluate your own participation and turn in a participation sheet every week.

In order to have a classroom environment conducive to learning and free of distractions, I ask that you turn off all electronic devices prior to entering your Spanish class. Consult with your instructor if you will need an electronic device in the classroom.

Cultural Diversity Project
Cultural Diversity Project is aimed at exploring the culture of Spanish-speaking countries. You may want to choose an aspect of culture that seems most interesting, attractive, strange, different, unattractive, or striking to you.  It is your project and you are free to choose any subject that is appealing to you. Thanks to everybody’s contribution, we will learn together about the diversity of the Spanish-speaking world.  Detailed instructions and training will follow.

Midterm and Final Exams

The midterm and final in Spanish 164 will cover the material explored in class.

Extra Credit for a Cultural Activity

Extra credit of up to 1% of the course for an instructor-approved project is available. It is intended to encourage you to reach out for cultural and related events and projects outside of the regular course requirements. It is not intended to supplement your grade. Some typical projects that might be approved by your instructor include attendance at a public cultural event, such as a play in Spanish, a public screening of a film in Spanish, an exhibition of Hispanic art at a local gallery, etc. Your instructor may also encourage you to read additional extended works in Spanish for extra credit. The credit is variable and based on the assignment the student submits for the evaluation of the experience.

Communication

The instructor will communicate via email.  You have to use WCSU email account to be enrolled in this class.  Language is a class where we all learn to COMMUNICATE, therefore it is important to be respectful to EVERYBODY in class, and avoid eating, drinking, chewing gum, or sleeping.

Please do not hesitate to ask me for help or express concerns about the class, or your own progress in this class.  This class prepares you to succeed in your future major. I hope that you will enjoy learning Spanish at WestConn and we all will have a great semester.