Spanish 101:  Introduction Spanish

 

Instructor: Dr. Duncan Charters


Prerequisites: None


 

Material and skills covered:

This course is designed as an introduction to the Spanish language and Hispanic culture.  Students with any previous formal Spanish (such as a year or two several years ago) take the Spanish 102 (offered fall or winter quarter) and complete their language requirement in the winter or spring with Spanish 103.  Students with any previous Spanish must have a placement test before they can be admitted to an elementary Spanish course.  This course prepares for the 102-103 sequence but is independent of it, since 102-103 represents a complete year of college Spanish compressed into two quarters, starting at the beginning of a new text.

 

In this course, we study and practice the different ways language is learned and acquired for communication, using a text on how to learn another language. 

 

Basic communication skills in Spanish are developed in giving personal information and descriptions, opinions, and relationships in time and space.  Students learn to express themselves in the present tense, and are introduced to the past and future.  All language skills are studied, but with emphasis on listening comprehension, speaking, spelling, grammatical structure and cultural awareness, and to a lesser extent reading and writing.

 

Methods used:

In class, students hear and speak Spanish, and do structural and communicative activities, with full-class and small-group or paired work.

 

The class will be based in our newly equipped Language Center, both for assignments and for class sessions.  We shall use a full range of resources and learning techniques, including audio, video and authentic material from satellite television and the internet. Teaching Assistants including native speakers of Spanish are assigned for practice.

 

Grade determined by:

Participation and performance including assignments completed when due; oral work including personal interviews; regular quizzes; midterm exam; final exam.

 

Attendance policy:

Daily attendance is expected since oral work is a primary focus of the course and an absence would mean zero for participation on that day. Conflict absences for field trips, sports or other Principia activities should be anticipated and discussed with the teacher.

 

Comments:

No previous Spanish