About

Class Values and Objectives

¡Bienvenidos! In Profe Lee's Spanish class, we will focus on developing language proficiency in the interpretive (reading & listening), interpersonal (unrehearsed spoken or written conversation), and presentational (rehearsed speaking & writing) modes of communication. Language proficiency is described as what a speaker can do with language in authentic, real-world settings, rather than what a learner may know about language (i.e., knowing when in conversation to use the present or past tense vs. memorizing the verb endings for the present and past tenses and reciting them on a test). We understand the central purpose of language to be communication and focus on acquiring practical and applicable language that can be used to communicate with other speakers. 

In order to develop language proficiency, learners must be exposed comprehensible language input and must be expected to produce output. This means that our class will be taught nearly 100% in Spanish, with visual aids where appropriate - students are not expected to understand 100% of what is said (closer to 60-70%), but they will always know what is expected of them to be successful. 

Our classroom will be a safe space for learners of all backgrounds to come together as a community. We will spend time cultivating this community and, as silly as it sounds, becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. Making mistakes is essential to learning and growth - every time we do something wrong, we have the opportunity to learn how to do it right and try again. Taking risks is especially key in language learning, and students will always be encouraged to experiment with the Spanish language and try saying something they've never said before. We often surprise ourselves with how much we really know and are able to do!