Sustainable Development and Social Change in Central America

 

 

 

Beginning Spanish II - SPA 112

 

 Prerequisite:  SPA 111 or equivalent (one semester college Spanish) or adequate score on placement exam

 

Course Description

This course is intended for students who have taken one semester of college-level Spanish or its equivalent. 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 grammatical structures.

  • Indicating to whom something is said:  indirect object pronouns with verbs of informing

  • Expressing abilities:  Saber and poder + infinitive

  • Pointing out people and objects:  demonstrative adjectives

  • Expressing obligation and duty:  Tener que, deber, necesitar, hay que, es necesario

  • Expressing plans and desires:  pensar, quisiera, me gustaría, tener ganas de

  • Making comparisons of inequality:  más/menos

  • Making comparisons of equality:  tan/tanto

  • Talking about past actions:  the preterite of regular and irregular verbs

  • Knowing people, places and facts:  conocer and saber

  • Referring to people already mentioned:  personal direct object pronouns

  • Reporting the past:  indirect object pronouns with decir

  • Expressing “ago”:  hacer + time

  • Referring to objects already mentioned:  impersonal direct object pronouns lo, la, los¸and las

  • Expressing likes:  gustar and encantar

  • Making negative statements and questions:  “no,” “never”

  • Expressing “one” or “you”:  the impersonal se

  • Using stem-changing verbs like pedir and server:  present tense and preterite forms

  • Describing family relationships:  reciprocal reflexive verbs parecerse and llevarse bien

  • Expressing “for,” “from,” and “to whom”: prepositions + prnouns

  • Saying what you used to do:  the imperfect tense

  • Describing the past:  the imperfect and preterite of “state” verbs

  • Saying what you were going to do:  the imperfect tense of ir + a + infinitive

  • Saying what you have done:  the present perfect

  • Exclaiming ¡Qué…! ¡Cuánto/a/os/as…!

  • Expressing destination and time: “by,” “through”:  por and para

  • Describing actions:  adverbs

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