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Syllabus for SPA 211: Intermediate Spanish I
Prerequisite: SPA 112 or equivalent (one year college Spanish or equivalent) or adequate score on placement exam
Course Description This course is intended for students who have a basic understanding of the Spanish language. The purpose of this course is to help students review and master all of the basic structures of Spanish and build their conversational skills through discussion of selected texts that stimulate intellectual growth and promote cultural understanding. Instructors use the “Natural Approach” methodology and emphasize oral communication. Students will be expected to review the grammar at home and use it in class. 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.
All students will take a written and oral pre-test at Universal during their first week in Cuernavaca. At the end of the semester, they will take an ungraded post-test in order to assess their improvement. The pre-test will not serve as a placement exam, rather as an assessment measure and a way for the Spanish instructors to determine students' strengths and weaknesses. That information will then be used to: 1) tailor some of the class sessions to address problem areas; 2) recommend special tutoring for students who are behind others in the class; and 3) divide the group into smaller classes or sub-groups when there are more than six students registered for the same course.
Primary Texts and Required Materials 1. McVey Gill, Mary, Brenda Wegmann, and Teresa Méndez-Faith. En Contacto: Gramática en Acción, 7ª edición. Thomson-Heinle, 2003. Chapters 1-6. 2. Spanish/English dictionary.
We have a few used copies of these Spanish books in Cuernavaca. If you want to purchase a used copy, please email Julie Rogers at JulieCGE@gmail.com immediately to find out if the books you want are available and to reserve one. These books can also be ordered through your local bookstore or over the Internet. Books from Heinle publishers can be directly ordered from them at www.heinle.com. Be sure to place your order six weeks in advance.
Learning Objectives Students will: 1. Build upon previous Spanish knowledge through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. 2. Strengthen their conversational ability. 3. Improve their understanding of written Spanish. 4. Express themselves in written Spanish. 5. Master the following basic Spanish grammar structures:
Course Requirements (100% = 100 points) 15% (15 points) Active class participation. Class participation includes punctuality, presence in class, active engagement in class sessions, and completion of all assignments and required readings or listening assignments on time. (See grading criteria listed below.) 10% (10 points) Homework assignments (“Tareas”). Each is worth two points. 40% (40 points) Four Weekly Tests. Each test is worth 10 points. 20% (20 points) Four Compositions: Students will write four one-page compositions; each is worth five points. 15% (15 points) Final Written Exam
Grading Criteria for Class Participation Ø 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, collaborating with the instructor and other students (as applicable), and demonstrating effort at improving Spanish abilities. Because all Universal classes seek to assist the students in becoming conversational in Spanish, class participation is extremely important. Ø Students must be punctual. One-half of a point will be deducted each time you are more than five minutes late to class. Two points will be deducted per unexcused absence. An excused absence consists of absence due to religious holidays, emergencies, and illness when the student has called the Universal Spanish director Irma Salazar (318-2904) and asked her to advise the instructor of her or his absence prior to the start of class and later documented with a doctor's note. Ø You may miss one class during the entire course for a reason other than illness without being penalized if you clear this absence in advance with your teacher or the director (Irma Salazar) and if the reason for missing class is acceptable. Examples of an acceptable absence include the following: a visit from friends or family, an especially heavy workload in other courses at that moment or extenuating emotional circumstances. You may NOT miss class simply because your alarm clock didn't go off and you slept in! For any UNEXCUSED absences in your Spanish classes, you will be docked two points per absence, regardless of your progress in the course. Ø Students are responsible for talking with the instructor about what they missed in class, getting notes or handouts from other students, and for making up any assignments that were completed in class.
Grading Criteria for Compositions Ø Grammar Ø Vocabulary Ø Spelling Ø Punctuation Weekly Assignment Schedule for SPA 211
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