COURSE SYLLABUS: ADVANCED SPANISH II

Location:  Heredia, Costa Rica

Partner Institution: Latina University - Heredia (Universidad Latina - Heredia)

Course Title: Advanced Spanish II

Course Number: C600SI

Session: year-round

Instructional Language: Spanish

Contact Hours:  45

Semester Credits/Quarter Units: 3/4        

Pre-requisites: Advanced Spanish I

Course Description:

The Latina University Spanish program focuses on developing communicative skills through study, oral and written communication, and understanding of Spanish as a second language. The goal is that the student develops effectively and adequately in all of the contexts of the Spanish language and achieves a better understanding of the culture in which he or she is immersed.

The student will acquire advanced knowledge of the language, apply complex grammatical structures, and improve and refine written and oral communication skills. The student will read for detail and advanced comprehension. He or she will develop writing skills in Spanish with emphasis on advanced grammatical constructions. The student will conduct structural analysis of representative texts and apply high-level analysis in their response and discussion. The student will learn to research in Spanish and write short compositions and term papers about relevant topics.

Course Objectives:

The Latina University Spanish 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 Advanced Spanish I course, the student should accomplish the following objectives:  

In the area of listening:

• Understand more advanced and complex conversations and directions using appropriate grammar

In the area of speech:

• Apply high-level analysis in their response and discussion
• Use complex grammatical structures

In the area of reading:

• Research advanced topics using Spanish language resources
• Read for detail and advanced comprehension
• Conduct structural analysis of representative texts

In the area of writing:

• Create compositions emphasis on advanced grammatical constructions
• Write letters including formal and informal correspondence, and letters of complaint
• Write formal academic compositions

Program (Outline or Schedule)

• Idiomatic Expressions
• Conditional vs. imperfect subjunctive in hypothetical situations
• Future tense for plans and predictions
• Phrasal verbs
• Use of the infinitive (as subject and in different parts of the sentence and in hypothetical situations)
• Feminine and masculine nouns
• Abstract nouns
• Cultural sayings
• Future perfect

Activities

The class activities will include, individual, pair, and group projects, short readings, presentations, conversations, dialogues, and plays. Topic examples include National Parks and Biological Reserves, War vs. Peace, Environmental Issues, Urban vs. Natural Environments, Travel, Cooking, Cultural Traditions, and Health.

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 Advanced Spanish II Course Book composed of selected readings, activities, stories, articles, 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)