College Spanish

Course No.:    4320, 4321
3 Credits
1 Semester
Grade Level:    10-12
Prerequisite:    Spanish II

This course can be taken for both high school credit and college credit (4 semester credits) through Anoka-Ramsey Community College. This course builds on the skills gained in Spanish I and II and then goes further to improve the student's proficiency in all language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural awareness.  Grammar from earlier levels is reviewed and integrated into new material.  Practical vocabulary is presented in interesting narratives and reviewed in conversational contexts for increased oral proficiency.  People and events of the Hispanic world will be studied in the context of the past, present, and future so students will gain insight into Hispanic cultures and civilizations, and also achieve a more global understanding of the issues these peoples and countries face in the future.
Back to Top

Syllabus

College Spanish

Profesor:    Señor Pablo Fliegel
Correo electrónico:   paulfliegel@annandale.k12.mn.us

Course Information

You are taking this course for high school and college credit.  Four semester credits are earned through Anoka-Ramsey Community College – Cambridge Campus.  The course reinforces the skills learned in Spanish I and II and then goes further to improve your proficiency in all language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural awareness.  Grammar from earlier levels is reviewed and integrated into new material.  Additional vocabulary and structures are presented in narratives and reviewed in conversational contexts for increased oral proficiency.  People and events of the Hispanic world will be studied to gain insight into Hispanic culture and civilizations, and also to achieve a more global understanding of the issues these peoples and countries face. The pre-requisite for this course is the successful completion of Spanish II.

Required materials

 Dime Dos, Samaniego, et. al., 1997, D.C. Heath and Co. (textbook must be covered throughout semester)
 Workbook:  Cuaderno de Actividades
 English-Spanish/Spanish-English Dictionary (optional)
 Pencil or dark ink pen for all assignments
 Notebook
 Folder

Course Outline

What will you be able to say in Spanish at the end of this course?  Here is a partial list of communicative goals:

• Exchanging greetings and introductions
• Describing activities
• Describing how people feel
• Exchanging information about where you are   going, what you are going to do, what you have to do
• Talking about possessions
• Asking and answering questions
• Making comparisons
• Describing past activities
• Persuading someone to do something
• Talking about what you used to do
• Asking for and giving directions
• Expressing doubt
• Discussing future plans and activities
• Expressing emotions

Most of the grammar topics in the course are listed here:

• ser/estar
• nouns/articles
• subject pronouns
• present tense of verbs
• adjectives
• por vs. para
• possessive adjectives
• stem-changing verbs
• tener idioms
• future (ir a + inf., reg. future tense)
• prepositions
• reflexive verbs
• demonstrative adjectives
• present progressive
• ser/estar + adjectives
• comparisons
• saber/conocer
• acabar de
• object pronouns
• negative and ind. words
• formal commands
• subjunctive

Grading

Your grade will be based on your performance on daily assignments, quizzes, in-class work, unit projects/tests, and participation.  The following chart shows the general categories and weights.

 Lesson Tests and Quizzes  50%
 Daily Work / Role Plays    15%
 Participation                      25%
 Final Exam                        10%

You will be graded on the weighted point system above, with the final percentage corresponding to the following grade scale:

100-95     A
94-90       A-
89-87      B+
86-83      B
82-80      B-
79-77      C+
76-73      C
72-70      C-
69-67      D+
66-64      D
63-60      D-
<60         F

Tests will be given at the conclusion of each lesson.  Current vocabulary, structures, and cultural information will be tested.  A short oral interview will be part of each test.  Always expect to find past material on these tests as well.  Tests cannot be made up after the test date unless prior arrangement has been made.

Daily work consists of lesson worksheets, dialogue activities with a partner or in a small group, and listening activities.  All these activities will give you a chance to practice vocabulary and structure topics.  You will be expected to make necessary corrections on your lesson worksheets and listening activities before handing them in.  Your grade is not based on the number of original errors but on the thoroughness and accuracy of your corrections.  Corrections should be made in a different colored pen.

Role-play performances are an important part of the course.  They are designed to help you simulate real-life situations in a variety of contexts.  Role-plays are cumulative activities that carefully and systematically recycle previously-learned material.  You are graded on your ability to follow the role-play suggestions and to improvise in Spanish.

The final exam will cover all vocabulary and grammar covered throughout the semester.  Prepare well and early for this test.  Unless otherwise scheduled, the test will be on the last day of the course.  A comprehensive oral interview will be part of this exam.

Attendance in class is crucial.  You are allowed 5 absences before your final grade begins to drop 1% for each subsequent absence.  You are responsible for work missed during an absence.  When you present your admit slip, make sure to collect any make-up assignments.  Ask your classmates about activities you missed.

Participation is a vital part of your classroom experience.  You are graded on your preparedness and prompt response when called upon.  How well you use time given to work on assignments and pair/group activities will be observed.  (Do you demonstrate enthusiasm during activities?  Do you use Spanish as much as possible?)  Active participation is expected during pronunciation drills.  One of the most obvious forms of participation will be your willingness to volunteer responses and to ask pertinent questions.

All forms of cheating or plagiarism will not be tolerated.  During class all written work is intended as individual practice.  Unless given permission, you will not be allowed to work together on written assignments. You will have plenty of time to practice with others in your dialogues.

Beginning on the first day of the course, you will be given a four-week calendar which will show dates for upcoming topics, assignments, and tests.  Please refer to this calendar often.  You are expected to be fully aware of due dates for assignments and tests.  Remain informed about any changes to this calendar.