Beginning Spanish Language

The communicative method of teaching is employed in this course. According to this method, the main objective of the class is to increase the student's ability to communicate effectively within society. At the beginning level, the main objective is to help the student increase his/her vocabulary and to help the student gain enough control of Spanish syntax to be able to describe, get information, express likes and dislikes, make simple comparisons, and begin to narrate in the past.

The specific grammatical points to be covered are:

1. Present tense verbs

2. Reflexive verbs

3. Ser/estar

4. Agreement

5. Prepositions

6. Gustar

7. Directs and indirect object pronouns

8. Commands

9. Comparisons

10. Introduction to preterite and imperfect.

The communicative aspect of the class will revolve around the discussion of topics such as the following:

-How to greet someone, present oneself, and say good-bye.

-Asking for specific information such as home addresses, telephone numbers, time of day, weather information, etc.

-Expressing doubts, problems, and difficulties: ¿Puedes repetir?; Más despacio, por favor.; No entiendo.; Cómo se escribe.

-Expressing reasons and objectives: ¿Por qué estudias español?; ¿Para qué aprendes español?

-Expressing impressions, experiences, opinions, doubts, possibility, appreciation, surprise, and admiration.

-Expressing need, desires, obligation, plans, and orders.

-Referring to the immediate past.

-Talking about age, marital status, professions, and activities.

-Asking for permission.

-Talking on the telephone.

-Giving instructions, suggestions, and advice.

-Describing and presenting other people and making comparisons.

-Describing objects, location, sources, and quantity.

-Narrating daily activities.

-Recreating the past.

-Discussing the physical and psychological state.

-Choosing between different options.

-Justifying an opinion.

The principle textbook used is Así es el Español Básico. This textbook complements the Communicative Method of teaching by providing written exercises based on what has been learned in class. The student will be evaluated on daily oral and written exercises, classroom participation, a mid-term exam, and a final exam.