COURSE SYLLABUS & more...

In this course, our goal will be to acquire the Spanish language. “Acquiring” a language is very different from “learning” a language. Acquiring is something that happens to you instead of something that you make happen.

When you learned how to speak your first language, you acquired it naturally by listening to other people speak it around you for a long time; not by studying it. Therefore, almost all of our class time will be spent using Spanish--not using English to talk about Spanish. At the beginning of the year, the focus will be on listening and reading instead of speaking and writing. Those skills will come naturally as you take in more and more Spanish by listening and reading. The focus on them will increase as the year progresses.

This Spanish course is a Comprehensible Input Spanish course, and we will use methods and strategies that are based on Dr. Stephen Krashen’s Input Hypothesis. In particular, we will use the TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling) method of language instruction that was developed by Blaine Ray and based on the work of Dr. James Asher.

We will focus our class time on the acquisition of high-frequency structures (the most frequently used words in a language); between three and six new target structures each week. (You will learn more than this, but you will only be assessed on the target structures.) We will use these structures in class discussions, stories, and cultural explorations, and you will be expected to recognize them when you read or hear them and then be able to produce them in speech and writing.

Before the year ends, you will read various short stories, novels and participate in FVR (Free Voluntary Reading) where you will design your own reading plan.

Seating Policy

You will be assigned a new seat once or twice per marking period. Your deskmate is your study buddy. If you are absent, get notes and handouts from him or her. Speak Spanish to one another in class and check each other’s work when appropriate. You are a team, and your goal is to help each other meet the class standards!

Absence Policy

Your class will spend 40 minutes each day acquiring language (the easy way!) and you may have to spend a similar amount of time at home to make up for what you missed. Check on your first day back to see what work needs to be made up.

Tardy Policy

You are considered tardy to class if you are not in your seat when the bell rings. With each tardy, you will receive an extra assignment to make up for the class time that you missed. Your parents will be notified, and if the problem is ongoing, you will have disciplinary action.

Borrowing Books Policy

If you would like to borrow a book from the classroom, you may sign it out from Sra. Poyntz for a maximum of one week. It must be returned on time, in excellent condition, or you will be fined.

Speaking Policy

If Señora asks a question in Spanish, you must answer in Spanish. If she asks a question in English, you may answer in Spanish or English. If you MUST say something in English, you must first ask, “¿En inglés, por favor?”

Entering the Room

These things should all be done before the bell rings:

1. Sit down in your seat;

2. Take out your agenda book to record your homework;

3. Borrow a pencil and paper, if needed;

4. Begin working silently on "La Pregunta del Día" (the Question of the Day)

Transition Signals

Throughout the year, I will use several call-and-response exchanges to get your attention. I will say one thing, the whole class will say something else in response, and then everyone will be quiet with their eyes on me, ready for my instructions.

Leaving the Room

Before you leave the classroom please make sure to:

1. Return borrowed materials, if applicable

2. Clear your table and floor

3. Push in your chair

Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity is being honest and responsible with regard to your schoolwork. Most basically, it means that your work is your work, and anything that you have found somewhere else is credited to its source. Students will receive a non-negotiable “0” on any assignment in which academic integrity has been breached:

• You may not copy another student’s work or allow someone to copy your work

• You may not use online translators to write sentences or essays

• You must cite any website, book, article, etc. from which you gather information.

Developed by Martina Bex ● www.martinabex.com ● The Comprehensible Classroom