Sustainable Development and Social Change in Central America

Beginning Spanish I - SPA 111

 Prerequisites:  None

Course Description

This course is intended for students with little or no Spanish background. The purpose is to help students develop the four basic skills: understanding, speaking, reading, and writing of elementary Spanish. The instructors use the “Natural Approach” methodology and emphasize oral competency.

Throughout the course students will learn about various aspects of life and culture in the Spanish-speaking world. In addition to the formal classes, the experience of living with local host families also provides hours of language practice, and therefore topics related to the home stay will be addressed in class. Students are placed in individualized classes through an on-line placement examination that they should take prior to departure from the United States. Upon arrival in the country, students may also be given a brief oral examination, as well. 

Primary Text and Required Materials

Terrell, Tracy, Magdalena Andrade, Jeanne Egasse, and Elias Miguel Muñoz. Dos Mundos:  A Communicative Approach, 5th Edition. 

          McGraw Hill, Inc., 2002. ISBN 0-07-232618-2 Pasos A-C and Chapters 1-4. 

Terrell, Tracy, Magdalena Andrade, Jeanne Egasse, and Elias Miguel Muñoz.  Cuaderno de Trabajo: Dos Mundos Workbook/

          Laboratory Manual, 5th Edition.  McGraw Hill, Inc., 2002.

Dos Mundos Student Audio Program and Listening Comprehension: CDs or tapes, along with personal walkman or cd-player, highly

          recommended.

Required texts and materials for Spanish courses vary by level. Copies of the necessary texts will be provided by Spanish School.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

1.  Build upon any previous Spanish knowledge through speaking and listening.

2.  Develop basic vocabulary.

3.  Effectively communicate basic concepts in Spanish.

4.  Read elementary Spanish texts.

5.  Express themselves in written Spanish.

6.  Master the following basic Spanish vocabulary and grammatical structures:

• Greetings

• Numbers

• The Spanish alphabet

• Time and dates

• The use of tú and Usted

• Subject pronouns

• Negation

• Gender

• Plural Forms

• Adjective-noun agreement

• Possessive adjectives

• Adjectives of nationality

• Question formation

• Telling time:  hours and minutes

• Expressing existence: hay

• Sequencing:  ordinal adjectives

• Describing the weather

• Making suggestions:  Let’s

• Referring to actions in progress:  present progressive

• Ordering events:  infinitives after prepositions

• Talking about habitual actions:  present tense of regular –ar, -er, and -ir verbs

• The verbs llamarse and traer

• The verbs ser and estar

• Expressing possession:  The verbs tener and ser de

• Expressing age:  the verb tener

• Expressing likes and dislikes:  gustar + infinitive

• Expressing future plans:  ir + a + infinitive

• Stating preferences and desires:  preferir and querer + infinitive

• Talking about location:  estar + en, ir + al / a la

• Using irregular verbs:  hacer, salir, jugar

• Describing origin and location:  ser de and estar en

• Verbs with stem-vowel changes (ie, ue) in the present tense

• Irregular verbs

• Reflexive verbs

Course Requirements (100% = 100 points)

15%        (15 points)            Active class participation with no more than two unexcused absences. Two points deducted

                                            per unexcused absence. Class participation includes completion of all assignments and readings

                                            on time, as well as presence and engagement in class sessions. 

15%        (15 points)            Homework assignments from the text and/or workbook.

30%        (30 points)            Three chapter tests; 10 points per test

30%        (30 points)            Three oral exams; 10 points per exam

10%        (10 points)            Final Exam

Students will be given a weekly class schedule complete with assignment deadlines on the first day of class.

Grading Criteria for Class Participation

• Students are allowed no more than two unexcused absences, and two points will be deducted per unexcused absence. 

• Full participation involves speaking only Spanish in class, completing assignments on time, coming to class prepared and on time, participating in all class activities with enthusiasm and interest, collaboration with the instructor and other students (as applicable), and demonstrated effort at improving Spanish abilities.

Grading Criteria for Compositions

• Grammar

• Vocabulary

• Spelling

• Punctuation