COURSE SYLLABUS: BEGINNER SPANISH I

Location:  Heredia, Costa Rica

Partner Institution: Latina University, Heredia Campus (Universidad Latina, Campus Heredia)

Course Title: Beginner Spanish I

Course Number: C100SI

Instructional Language: Spanish

Session: Year-round

Contact Hours: 45 (can be offered for 60 or 75 if previously arranged)

Semester Credits/Quarter Units: 3 / 4 (or up to 5 credits)

Pre-requisites: None        

Course Description:

The Beginner Spanish I program focuses on developing communicative skills through study, oral and written communication, and understanding of Spanish as a second language. The goal is for the student to develop effectively and adequately in all of the contexts of the Spanish language and to achieve a better understanding of the culture in which he or she is immersed. The student will build basic Spanish skills including personal information, asking and answering questions, fundamental vocabulary, and basic conversation, reading and writing skills. In the area of grammar, the student will begin to conjugate the regular verb tenses and use irregular verbs in the present tense. Emphasis will be placed on conjugating verbs with different pronouns.  

Course Objectives:

The program is organized so that the students can acquire a holistic foundation of knowledge based on four areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing—putting each of these in practice in any place or situation. Upon completion of the Beginner Spanish I as a second language course, the student should accomplish the following objectives:  

In the area of listening:

• Recognize the alphabet.
• Recognize numbers up to 1000.
• Understand basic vocabulary and some verbs.
• Understand simple questions.
• Understand basic greetings and goodbyes.

In the area of speech:

• Greet, say goodbye, and thank you with basic phrases.
• Give basic personal information.
• Organize vocabulary by category (colors, animals, and others.)

In the area of reading:

• Recognize vowels and consonants.
• Read simple signs and announcements.
• Read menus, maps, schedules, and others.

In the area of writing:

• Fill out simple forms.
• Write words, verbs, and phrases that he/she knows how to say.
• Can complete simple exercises.

Program (Outline)

• Uses of definite and indefinite articles.
• Use of the adjective.
• Use of the verb ser.
• Use of the adjectives: demonstrative, possessive, and emphatic possessive.  
• Use of the verb estar.
• Rules of use for the verbs ser and estar.
• Use of the verb haber.
• Use of present tense regular verbs. (-ar, -er, -ir).
• Use of present tense irregular verbs.
• Uses of the verb tener in idiomatic expressions.  
• Use of the future periphrastic.
• Use of the gerund.
• Use of the present progressive.
•  Use of interrogative words.
• Use of reflexive verbs.
• Use of the irregular verbs of the indefinite preterit.

Activities

The class activities will include individual, pair, and group projects, short readings, presentations, conversations, dialogues, and plays.

Methodology

• Inductive: Teaching from the specific to the general.
• Deductive: Teaching from the general to the specific.
• Comparative: Learning by comparing.
• Communicative: Using grammar as a guide for oral expression.  

Course Evaluation

• Class Project: 20%
• Oral Exam: 20%
• Partial Exam: 25%
• Final Exam: 25%
• Presentations: 10%

Note: If there is a change in the evaluation percentages, the students will be informed in the first two days of class.  

Bibliography (Text and Materials)

Universidad Latina Beginner Spanish I Course Book made of selected readings, activities, stories, dialogues etc.

Contact Information:
SOL EDUCATION ABROAD
EMAIL: info@soleducation.com
WEB: www.soleducation.com
PHONE: 512.380.1003
FAX: 512.287.4886
MAIL: 503 Oakland Ave. Austin, TX 78703

(Translation of the syllabus from the Universidad Latina, Heredia)