Conversational Spanish I (SPAN 1300)

Instructor: Laura Garza

TTH

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE SYLLABUS

CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH I

SPANISH 1300  

Fall 2011-CRN 51156

 

 

INSTRUCTOR: Laura P. Garza

Email: [email protected]                          PHONE: 713-718-6682

OFFICE LOCATION AND HOURS: FAC 303 12-1PM

Course Location and Times FAC 307 TTH 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

 

3 credits (3 lecture)

48 hours per semester

 16 weeks

Type of Instruction: On Site

 

1.  COURSE DESCRIPTION: SPAN 1300, Conversational Spanish I is an introductory Spanish course which emphasizes listening comprehension and speaking. Reading and writing may be done as reinforcement to oral communications skills. The course is slower paced and less comprehensive than Spanish 1411. It is highly recommended for students without previous experience in the Spanish language. It is particularly for those who wish to acquire limited conversational skills for travel or the workplace, or who wish to start their study of Spanish more gradually than in 1411. This course is not open to students whose first language is Spanish and it does not count toward a university foreign language requirement, but generally transfers as elective credit. 

 

2.  PREREQUISITES. None

 

3.  COURSE GOAL

The emphasis in class is on oral communication: listening and speaking skills.  The course will include talking about topics covered in the chapters and role-playing everyday situations. There will be no systematic study of grammar. Only those structures needed to communicate in the situations presented will be introduced. Topics include family, numbers, weather, shopping, health, getting around, and traveling. You will learn to greet others, introduce yourself and ask about others, ask where something is, ask for general information when traveling, make a phone call, describe yourself and family members, your occupation, shop for clothing, express feelings, and describe physical conditions.. Listening activities will be incorporated into the class and will include popular Spanish music, radio announcements and clips from video and TV.

 

4. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES.

The student will:

1. Speak clearly and fluently enough for a target-language speaker to understand and interpret intent without difficulty.

2. Comprehend the main points of standard discourse and authentic material in target language spoken at near-native speed.

3.  Write simple descriptions and narrations of paragraph length on everyday events and situations in different time frames.

4. Read with understanding authentic written material in the target language on a variety of topics related to daily life in the target-language world.

5. Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to characteristic perspectives, practices and products that reflect the culture of the target language.

 

5. STUDENTS LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Participate meaningfully in a simple conversation in the target language, using learned words, phrases and short sentences in a limited number of familiar contexts and comprehensible to those accustomed to interacting with non-native speakers of the language.

2. Demonstrate basic understanding of the target-language sound system.

3. Comprehend simple spoken words, such as cognates, borrowed words, and high-frequency social conventions used in familiar contexts;

4. Write short sentences, questions and answers, using basic words and phrases to meet social and practical needs.

5. Comprehend short texts, schedules, signs, and forms using the vocabulary learned in class.

6. Demonstrate familiarity with some of the characteristic perspectives, practices and products that reflect the culture of the target language

 

6. LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Respond to basic questions in class dealing with such everyday topics as greetings, family, health, weather, personal description.

2. React in Spanish appropriately to situations in the classroom environments.

3. Follow directions in Spanish

4. React in a simple social situation. Greetings, introductions, name exchange, personal information.

 

TRUE BEGINNERS OF SPANISH NEED TO PLAN ON AN AVERAGE OF 4 HOURS PER WEEK OR MORE STUDY TIME TO KEEP UP WITH THE PACE OF THE CLASS

Your professor reserves the right to make changes to the following lesson plan.

 

SPANISH 1300

TENTATIVE LESSON PLAN

 

                Week 1:                 Presentation of the course and syllabus.

                                                Unidad Preliminar. Los mandatos para la clase

                                                Cognados, el alfabeto, la pronunciación /expresiones de cortesía

 

                Week 2:                 Capítulo 1. Saludos

                                                Saludos. Formal and informal

                                                Asking someone’s name, giving your name

                                                Despedidas / Formal and informal

 

                Week 3:                 Formal and informal mode of address

                                                Days of the week

                                                Exam– Capítulo Preliminar  y Capítulo Uno

 

                Week 4:                 Capítulo 2Que Fiesta

                                                 Fecha  de nacimiento. Pronunciación

                                                Months of the year

                                                Dias festivos.

                                               

Week 5:                 Números 0 – 100

                                                Estado civil / Ocupación

                                                Otros datos personales /Dirección y teléfono

                                                Pronunciación

                                               

 

                Week 6:                 Números de 100-2015

Subject Pronouns. Ser

                                                Gender. Agreements

                                                Exam– Capítulo 2

 

                Week 7:                 Capítulo 3 – La familia.

                                                Location Phrases

                                                Hay. Tener

                                                Nationalidad. Puntos cardinales + estar

                                                Countries of Latin America

 

 

                Week 8:                 Origin

                                                La personalidad. Personality

                                                ¿Cómo eres? What are you like

Adjectives. Possession with “de”

                                               

 

Week 9:                 Review “ Hay, Tener, Estar, Ser”

-er and –ir verbs

                                                Exam – Capítulo 3

 

 

Week 10:              Capítulo 4 – La ropa

                                                Clothing, colors, Likes and Dislikes

                                                Ir + a+ infinitive

 

 

                Week 11:              Temporary conditions

                                                Ser vs Estar

Números después de  2016

                                                GUSTAR. A + EL = AL

 

                Week 12:              Preferir, Querer + infinitive

                                                Occupations/Places/Activities

Exam – Capítulo 4

 

 

                Week 13:              Capitulo 5 El cuerpo humano. Parts of the body

                                                La salud. Health

                                                Verbs dealing with the body.Doler

 

                Week 14:              Cómo eres? Physical description

                                                Comparaciones. Comparisons

Tengo y hace frio. The weather.

 

                Week 15:              Seasons. Tener expressions

                                                Review “Ser vs Estar.Uses of  Indirect object Pronouns

                                               

                December 8:                        ORAL FINAL

                                               

 

                December 15:                      FINAL EXAM

 

NOTE:  THE FINAL EXAM CAN NOT BE GIVEN BEFORE THE OFFICIAL EXAM DATE

 

NOTE:  EATING AND DRINKING IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM.

 

7. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

 

As your professor, I want you to be successful in this class. We will work together to achieve the levels of proficiency previously stated. I will create activities where you can experience, speaking,  listening, and cultural understanding of Spanish. I will also pay attention to your learning style without sacrificing the standards you should achieve. I will rely on your feedback through exams, quizzes, and speaking activities. Exams. All the exams test vocabulary, speaking and listening. If you do all assigned work and study prior to taking the exam, you should do well.

Quizzes. There will be  quizzes throughout the semester.

We will listen to the Audio CD in class. All the aforementioned assessment instruments determine how successfully you are at achieving the learning outcomes previously outlined. If you find you are not mastering the language skills, please reflect on your study habits and time management skills and prepare for each class.

 

8. STUDENT EVALUATION

The student is expected to do all assignments and tests.  Students who fail to turn in an assignment or take a makeup test for a test missed will receive a grade of 0 for the assignment or test.  Students will be evaluated as follows:

 

Homework/Quizzes

25%

Oral Exam

25%

Exams

25%

Final Exam

25%

Total

100%

 

*Class participation

Class participation is essential in a foreign language class.  As mentioned earlier, class participation is tied to attendance.  You will receive a daily participation grade which will be based on the following:  preparation for class (including homework), bringing books and materials to class, active class involvement, staying on task, and mature behavior. 

 

9. GRADE DISTRIBUTION

 

                100-90:  A             89-80:  B               79-70:  C               69-60:  D               59-0:  F

 

10.  TEXTBOOKS:  

1)       Para Siempre.  A Conversational Approach to Spanish. De Leon, Montemayor  

2)       ACP Para Siempre VOL I (HCC)

3)       The CD will come shrink wrapped with the textbook.

Note:  All students must have their books by the second day of classes.  Books can be bought at any HCCS bookstore

 

11. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services Office. The office is located at Room LHSB Room 106          1300B Holman                Phone: 713-718-6164 e-mail: [email protected]. Please contact this office at the beginning of each semester. Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office."

 

12. SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY

Students engaged in any scholastic dishonesty:  cheating, plagiarism or collusion, as described by the Student Handbook may be penalized as specified in the Student Handbook (pp. 28-29). Please, familiarize yourself with the student handbook.

 

13.  ATTENDANCE POLICY

Class will begin at the scheduled time. Please be on time, as coming and going is disruptive. The class roll will be called every day at the beginning of class.  Students are expected to attend classes every day and will be responsible for materials covered during their absence, as per the course lesson plan and additional materials assigned by instructor.  Additionally, participation is tied to attendance.  If you are not present, you cannot participate. Therefore, you will lose 5 points on your participation grade for each class missed. 

 As per HCCS policies, stated in the Student Handbook (P. 2), the instructor has full authority to drop a student after the student has accumulated absences in excess of 6 hours.  However, it is recommended that the student be responsible for dropping the course if he/she has been absent more than 6 hours of class.  This policy will be strictly enforced, particularly for veterans.  If a student is late by more than 10 minutes or leaves class 15 minutes before the class ends, the student will receive one 1/2 absence.  After 2 of these absences the student will get one full absence.  Attendance is essential.  In accordance with HCCS official policy, a student may be dropped after missing more than two weeks of class (6 hours).

Absences will be counted from the first class day of the semester, no matter when the student registers or first attend.

 

14. MAKE UP TEST POLICY

Students are responsible for material covered during their absences. . Exchanging phone numbers with one or two other students for times when you miss a single class is a good idea. Make-up exams will not be given except in well-documented dire circumstances. Only one major exam will be made up per semester.  LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

 

15. REPEATED COURSE FEE

 Students who repeat a course for a third or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities.  Please ask your professor / counselor about opportunities for tutoring / other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal or if you are not receiving passing grades.

 

16. CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR

The guidelines for student conducts and consequences for their violation are specifically defined in The Student Handbook " [As] mature, responsible adults., they will voluntarily observe these rules as a matter of training and habit.  Students [will] not interfere with or disrupt the orderly educational process of the College System."  It is expected that the students will demonstrate both courtesy and cooperation in the classroom.  A student who either cannot or will not extend both courtesy and cooperation may not continue the course.

 

17. USE OF RECORDING DEVICES IN HCC FACILITIES

Per HCCS Policy, “Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs.  Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable accommodations.”

 

18. IMPORTANT DATES THIS SEMESTER AND WITHDRAWAL INFORMATION.                                              

First day of classes           August 27

Labor Day                           September 5                                                       

Last day to withdraw      November 3       

Thanksgiving                    November 24-27                                                               

Instruction ends                December 11                      

Final Exam                          December 15      

 

NOTE:  Faculty members will not be able to give a “W” after November 3rd.  The student will receive the grade that he/she is making.  If a student does not take the final exam and/or misses other exams, a grade of “0” will be assigned for those exams.  If you will drop the class, you MUST drop it before November 3rd.  If you just disappear from your class, you can get an “F” as your final grade.

 

 

19.  COURTESY:  Ringing cell phones are a major disruption to instruction.  Out of respect for your instructor and fellow classmates, please turn off  cell phones and beepers when you enter class. If there is a very special reason you must have your phone or beeper on, please let me know. Eating is not allowed in the classroom except for a medical condition.   Please notify the instructor and provide a note from your physician if you need to eat or drink while in class.

 

20.  OFFICE HOURS.  Feel free to e-mail me or call me regarding any problem you may be having with the class. I check my e-mail and voicemail daily.  I am committed to helping you succeed in your studies. My telephone number and office hours are listed on the first page of the syllabus.

 

21. SUPPORT SERVICES

Equipment: Computers are available in the library, LHSB.

 

Tutoring: There is free Foreign Language (Spanish) tutoring available on a walk in basis.  Many students of all skill levels take advantage of this service.  Go early and often to get help in generating ideas, developing organization, and practicing grammar.  Check the schedule on the door for the times for Foreign Language tutors.

 

22. SCHOOL CLOSING

Please check the local radio and TV stations for information regarding school closing due to inclement weather.

 

 

 

Course Information

A syllabus hasn't been posted for this course yet.