Elementary Spanish 2 - 1st year
The second half of elementary Spanish. Students receive instruction in the four major aspects of communication: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. They learn more complex sentence structure, idiomatic expressions and vocabulary. In addition, students will acquire a more advanced understanding of the language and cultures of the Hispanic world.
Objectives:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate understanding of sentences set in the present tense (regular and irregular) and past tense (preterit and imperfect);
2. Read simple ordinary Spanish materials with a relatively high degree of fluency and proper rhythm and intonation;
3. Write narrative compositions of several paragraphs making use of different tenses covering past and present actions and thoughts, as well as the correct use of reflexive constructions;
4. Develop the ability to communicate with confidence using a standard variety of the Spanish language;
5. Demonstrate improved ability to manipulate set or idiomatic expressions and cultural texts;
6. Develop a greater awareness of the rich diversity of the Spanish-speaking world.
Topics:
Course topics will include the following:
1. The two most common past tenses: the preterit and the imperfect.
2. Introduction of the progressive tenses in the present and past tense.
3. Introduction of some of the most common uses of the subjunctive tense.
4. Introduction of the direct and indirect subject pronouns.
5. Use of the reflexive verbs in idiomatic expressions.
6. Manipulation of numbers from 100 to 1000 and up.
7. Idiomatic expressions of emotion and of similar and contrary opinions.
8. Influencing others using formal and informal commands.
9. Expansion of vocabulary relevant to functional and cultural situations presented in class.
Method of Instruction:
The instructor will present new material by comprehensible input and monitoring of students’ progress. Students will then engage in a variety of activities to reinforce their learning. They will also create projects and write short compositions. Class format will constantly integrate the four major aspects of communication, listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Types of Assignments:
1. Daily lab practice
2. CD-Rom and workbook activities
3. Journals and written compositions based on topics related to class activities
4. Final project
Sample Text:
1. 501 Spanish Verbs. 4th ed. Christopher Kendris. (Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., 1996).
