Bienvenid@s a tod@s a Español 1

Welcome every@ne to Spanish 1

Profe. Benjamin Lev      blev@santarosa.edu

January 30 - May 10, 2023

Monday 4pm- 6pm @ Orchard View School, Sebastopol, CA 

Wednesday 4pm - 6pm Zoom

ZOOM -  https://zoom.us/my/benlev

 

In this interactive and engaging class there will be many opportunities to use Spanish in a creative way. Your active participation is the key to learning and will help making the class satisfying and successful.

I often use strategies based in Comprehensible Input instruction. The goal is to make new vocabulary and grammar both understandable and interesting. It's a cooperative technique that is most successful when students fully participate.

I look forward our semester together. ¡Nos vemos en clase! See you in class!

HEALTH CONCERN

Doors and windows will be open for ventilation - dress warmly! If you are sick, please stay home. I will be wearing a mask during our in-person class and would really appreciate if you would too. I have elderly, immuno-compromised relatives who are at risk. Thank you for helping them (and me and you and your family) stay healthy.

 

SYLLABUS FOR SPANISH 1

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Assuming good attendance, homework, and active participation, you will be able to:
1. Use the simple present, present progressive and preterit tenses, including high-frequency irregular verbs, subject and object pronouns, and adjectives.
2. Initiate and maintain simple conversations in Spanish on everyday topics
3. Comprehend and respond to short messages and questions in spoken Spanish.
4. Write coherent paragraphs containing descriptions of people, places, and everyday activities.
5. Use appropriate vocabulary for greetings, school-related items, family members, clothes, food, etc
6. Read and comprehend the main ideas presented in level appropriate Spanish texts and magazine articles.

7. Demonstrate cultural awareness and insights about the Spanish-speaking world

LEARNING MATERIALS - this might change, I'll give you notice if it does

1.Students will purchase two language learner novels to read. Students will choose one and Instructor will choose one. They will cost about $15 each. Info to follow.

2. Students will subscribe to Yabla  for $24.95 for the semester. Info to follow.

3. We will use free Open Education Resources on the internet and various websites as well.

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

• Mini-white board 9" x 12" - find at Staples or online
  
• Black and red dry-erase markers and eraser or old sock
• Color markers, pencils or crayons
  
• Composition notebook (not spiral)
• Pocket folder for loose papers
• Spanish-English dictionary or app (I recommend WordReference) 

CLASS PARTICIPATION

This is a highly interactive class. Join in! It's the key to learning a language and counts for 25% of your grade.

EXPECTATIONS DURING SYNCHRONOUS VIRTUAL CLASS

• Be on time, or even 5 minutes early
• Please have camera on all the time unless there is a break. If you have an urgent situation let me know tell me know before class.
• You must have access to a keyboard during class.
• Please do not multi-task, work, drive (OMG I have had students do this) or eat during class.
• Please sit up, not lay down. Professional student posture por favor
• Come to class with your motivation to improve your Spanish
• Answer all questions or stop me if you don’t understand
• Put away distractions, try to work in a quiet room, ask people in your home to not talk to you during class
• Stay on the zoom call until class is over and we say “Adiosito.”

FAMILIAS
Each student will be randomly assigned to a "Familia." You do not get to choose your familia, just like in real life. You must commit to helping each other, just like in real life. If you are absent or struggling, you must reach out to them so they can catch you up. If someone in your familia is absent or struggling, your familia will persist in making contact so they don't fall behind. On some quizzes I will average the score of your entire familia and you will get that score. If there's a problem let me know.

GRADING

25% Attendance and active participation
25% Homework, Classwork

25% Quizzes (announced and unannounced), Exams, Projects, Reports

25% Final Exam / Final Project

Grade for the course: 

A=90% B=80-89% C=70-79% D=60-69% F= below 60%

CLASS POLICIES

1) I use SRJC email to communicate, so students need to check their email every few days and respond.

2) Texting: Please turn off your cell phone and put it away during class. No texting, no ear buds, gracias. If you use your phone I will give you one warning. If you continue to use your phone then you will have to leave class for that meeting. You and I will have a conference about it before the next class meeting.

3) Conduct: Respect the rights of other students and the instructor. If you violate the Student Conduct Code you may be suspended from 2 classes and referred to the Vice President of Student Services for discipline.

4) Students may not speak English without permission. Students may not chat or blurt out in English. You may ask clarification (¿Cómo se dice XYZ en inglés?) or for permission to speak English (¿Me permite hablar inglés?). Disruptions or use of English will lower your participation grade.

ATTENDANCE

You may miss, and make up, two sessions for any reason -- illness, religious observance, sporting events without losing points. This will be calculated at the end of the semester. You are still responsible for missed class work.If you miss three or more classes your grade will lowered by 5 points for each class you miss, unless we've come to an agreement in advance. If you miss five classes you will be dropped from the course.  If you are late twice or leave class early twice that equals one absence. This will be calculated at the end of the semester. If you miss class please 1) send me an email and 2) check with your "familia."

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

All students will be asked to promise not to cheat. That includes copying on tests and quizzes, and using a translation tool like Google Translate. Faculty and students are partners in maintaining the college's academic integrity in accordance with the College guidelines. Cheating, dishonesty, impersonation, inappropriate use of translation tools will not tolerated or ignored, and will be be promptly reported.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN

ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS: