Al día de hoy

This intermediate Spanish course provides an inviting way for students to exercise and extend their language abilities in a completely immersed classroom culture. Students are to allow and encourage themselves and members of their community to make linguistic mistakes as they push their barriers and use as many resources as possible without relying on English as they acquire their new language. Most importantly, it is hoped that they have fun and spark their curiosity! Topics are to include a focus on modern life in Hispanic and Northern American cultures in regards to topics ranging from major historical and current events to foods, music, television, art, sports, family, city life, news, etc.

Evaluaciones y actividades:

— Conversation (20%): Graded conversations, Interviews, Conversational Games.

— Presentation (30%): Mini-presentations, bi-weekly progress towards Exhibition night / final project

— Interpretation (20%):Reading, writing, and listening assessments, and independent reading time.

— Work Habits (30%): Class participation, self direction, homework, and watching the news in Spanish and adding to a vocab/grammar notebook on a weekly basis.

—Digital Portfolio: The digital portfolio will consist of two self-assessments; one at the beginning of the semester and one towards the end as a reflection of growth within the Spanish language. It will also include the final project, which will be included in Exhibition Night.

Recurring Assessments:

• Input: On the first period of the week, students will learn about a new aspect of a certain country/countries along with some grammar through a variety of different materials.

• Actividades de interpretación: For the second period, students will be assessed on their abilities to interpret and analyze different videos, audios, and other pieces of information on culture, along with recall and perspectives of the similarities and differences between North American and South American / Spanish Cultures. They will also practice some grammar activities.

• ¡A divertirse!: On the third period, students will be assessed on their ability to maintain a conversation within the group for a half hour. They will also have the ability to practice their vocabulary and will create with the language by playing different games. Cultural independent films will also occasionally be shown during this period.

• Self-assessment: Students will be asked to comment on their participation and learnings every week to two weeks.
  
  

Daily Work:

In addition to homework, there will be a variety of activities that will be done in class to improve speaking skills and understanding of the language. (Note: Please give at least two weeks for X2 to be updated after an assignment has been turned in. Late work will receive half credit.)

Being “Al día” with the News: Once a week, you will be required to watch the news in Spanish and on Friday you will present at least three descriptions of what you learned is happening on the news through watching the Univision television network. The show “Primer Impacto” is on nightly from 5:00-6:00 p.m. and “Noticiero Univision” is on from 6:30-7:00 p.m. It is suggested that you watch at least 15-20 min. of the news. You will be so amazed and proud of how your Spanish listening comprehension is strengthened by doing this! As previously mentioned, this is a work habits grade.

Vocab and Grammar Notebook: You will be asked in your first week to purchase a separate composition notebook (aside from your regular notebook for Spanish class). In this notebook, you will be asked to write and maintain a journal on different verb conjugations / grammar aspects according to the grammar being learned in class. You are expected on a weekly-biweekly basis to write fifteen vocabulary words according to each theme. In your notebook, each of the vocab words have three parts: you will define each vocab word in your own words using circumlocution, will write under the definition two sentences in which the vocab word is used in a clear context by including any grammar learned in class.

Exhibition Night / Final Project: You will have chance to learn about your Spanish-speaking country of choice throughout the semester and create a project around your discoveries. Every two weeks, as we learn new themes in class, you will search and learn about how the theme relates to your selected country. You will be kept accountable by check-ins throughout the semester as noted on the calendar handed out at the beginning of each month. Each check-in will count as a new presentation grade. The finished product of your project will also count as a presentation grade.

Extra Credit: You may complete Honors assignments for extra credit. The regular revision of work will be also encouraged.

Honors:  Honors in Spanish is an opportunity to challenge yourself and enrich your experience in this class. It is open to all students, but there is commitment involved. Honors students will be expected to help to keep a “Solo Español” environment in class and to do various activities (included but not limited to the following):

- Read and summarize articles/news clippings weekly about countries/themes being learned about in class on a weekly basis.

-Help coordinating and organizing Exhibition Night for this class.

- Complete any other assignment your teacher may find useful to help you expand your Spanish vocabulary.

“La cultura es un bien personal. Únicamente nos
llega por el camino del cultivo propio.” Lofficier

Looking forward to discovering the beauty of culture with you,