Welcome

¡Bienvenidos a la página web de Señor Chew! (Welcome to Mr. Chew’s webpage!)

On this site you will find information for classes in Spanish I as well as other resources that will assist you and enrich your middle and/or high school experience!

Why should you study foreign languages?

An answer from Duke University

An answer from Washington State University

"Learning a language means failure, embarrassment, and the enrichment of your life" (an article in the LA Times)

General Classroom Expectations:

    1. Demonstrate respect to yourself, your teacher, your classmates, and the class environment and materials by doing the following:

      1. Be on time and prepared

      2. Participate in class discussions and activities in appropriate manners.

      3. Work to the best of your ability.

      4. Use language appropriate to the classroom.

    2. Stretch yourself mentally and academically.

    3. Ask the teacher or aide any appropriate questions you may have about the task/topic at hand.

Some online resources:

(See also the "Resources" column on the individual class pages for further video resources)

10 Principles for Language Learning (an article to help you study independently)

To answer the question, "How many words do I need to know to be fluent?" go to this article at FluentU.

One of the top Spanish online dictionaries: https://www.wordreference.com

A free online Spanish tutoring/self-quiz program: http://www.duolingo.com/

Conjuguemos! An online grammar practice site to strengthen your Spanish skills

News sites: El Mundo. BBC Mundo (Spanish version of BBC News), El Pais, ABC.es

Currency converter, to find out how much your money is worth in Euros, pesos, nuevo soles, or any other major currency in the world: http://www.xe.com/

For listening and culture practice, try this link to the Spanish national television and radio website: http://www.rtve.es

Circumlocution

Now, there’s a big word. In your native language, “circumlocution” isn’t necessarily something that people (including any number of teachers) want you to practice in your written or oral activities. Basically it means talking in circles, beating around the bush, not getting to the point, using a lot of words to convey a more simple idea, kind of like I just did with the definition.

When learning a foreign language, though, it’s a skill that pays to develop. You’re not always going to remember the exact word that you want to use or maybe you won’t have a dictionary or iPhone handy, so circumlocution is a strategy to help you say what you want, although it may take you more words to do it. That’s okay. The point is, you want to get your point across. It’ll help. Trust me.

Here’s an example: You can’t remember the word “abuelo” (“grandfather”), so instead you say “el padre de mi padre” (“the father of my father”). It’s the same thing.

Try some of these tips:

    • Use the vocabulary you have now

    • Try to think of another way to express your ideas

    • Describe the concept somehow: who uses it, where, when, how

    • Use a synonym

    • Explain what it is not

    • Point and use gestures