SPANISH V CURRICULUM

Revision submitted by Tim Ryan 7/15/96

FOREIGN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT

I. Philosophy

Ø The ability to communicate in another language is an indispensable life skill for all students. As countries of the world become increasingly interdependent, we must actively promote proficiency in Foreign Language as well as cross-cultural understanding. As we move into the twenty-first century, we need educated citizens whose Foreign Language abilities and cultural sensitivities prepare them to work in such a pluralistic society and global economy. Our students must possess the ability to communicate in other languages and develop the understanding needed to operate within differing cultural contexts. This will significantly broaden their personal and professional opportunities.

Ø The foreign language program can serve as an important ingredient in developing a well-rounded individual. It can be the basis for the linguistic training which is so important for the citizens of tomorrow. Foreign Languages are a part of the American heritage. This makes the study of Foreign Languages even more important. The study of foreign language can open the door to a richer, more rewarding life through literature, art, music and travel. From it should come a deeper appreciation of the varied cultures of the world and also an appreciation of our own culture.

Ø The language program should serve as a means for enriching the curriculum of all interested students. The study of language should be a wonderful and challenging experience for the individual. The teacher must allow for differences in background and ability. A successful student should be encouraged to study the language in depth over an extended period of time. All materials and instructional techniques should be up-to-date in order to provide effective teaching methods.

II. Guiding Principles

Ø Foreign Languages are an essential part of the students' overall education.

Ø The primary goal of a Foreign Language program is communicative proficiency.

Ø All students should be able to read, write, speak, and comprehend in the Foreign Language.

Ø Culture is an integral part of the Foreign Language discipline.

Ø Advanced courses in Foreign Languages should offer the student the opportunity to acquire a high level of proficiency in the use and appreciation of the Foreign Language.

Ø Advanced courses in Foreign Languages should stress oral/aural skills, composition and structure, with emphasis placed on the persistent use of the target language for active communication.

Ø The advanced course seeks to develop skills that are useful in themselves and that can be applied to various activities and disciplines.

III. Proficiencies

Ø The ability to comprehend in increasingly complex formal and informal spoken Spanish.

Ø The ability to express ideas orally with reasonable accuracy and fluency.

Ø The acquisition of vocabulary and grasp of structure to allow greater facility in accurate reading of newspaper and magazine articles, as well as some contemporary literature.

Ø The ability to compose fairly well-organized and more structurally correct expository passages on topics reflecting a wide range of experience - e.g. the arts, current events, history, food, sports, etc.

Ø Develop an understanding and appreciation of the culture through further study of Hispanic history and literature.

IV. Course of Study

Reading (Learning Outcomes)

Ø The Spanish V student should be able to demonstrate proficiency in reading Spanish narratives and literary texts with good overall comprehension.

Ø The student should be able to:

v Understand magazine articles on various topics of general interest;

v Separate main ideas from subordinate ones;

v Draw inferences from material read, although recognition of subtle nuances may be limited;

v Develop successful strategies for interpretation of unfamiliar words, idioms, or structures, based on broad general vocabulary and solid knowledge of grammatical forms and structures;

v Discriminate between registers of language (e.g., formal/informal, literary/conversational) to recognize many of their important cultural implications; and

v appreciate some figurative devices, stylistic differences and humor.

v Activities and Indicators of Success - Students will be exposed to various forms of printed material including the following.

§ Textbooks

§ Supplementary readers

§ Magazines

§ Newspaper articles

§ Short stories, poems, and plays

Writing (Learning Outcomes)

Ø By the end of the Spanish V course, students should be able to write in Spanish on topics of general interest. Students should have good written control of most grammatical structures. Vocabulary should be extensive enough to cover most topics, although some gaps in vocabulary can be expected. Students should be able to:

Ø Write a narration or description several paragraphs in length;

Ø Present and defend ideas and points of view;

Ø Provide appropriate examples and draw conclusions from them.

Ø provide introductory remarks, transitions, and a conclusion in an essay.

Ø Activities and Indicators of Success - Students will:

v Write summaries of cultural topics.

v Write short essays on reading - correlated subjects, stressing grammatical points.

v Write short essays based on literary themes.

v Write with greater confidence and authority.

Listening

Learning Outcomes - Students who successfully complete the Spanish V course will have developed sufficient skill in listening comprehension to be able to:

Ø Comprehend formal and informal spoken Spanish.

Ø Follow with general understanding, oral reports and classroom lectures on non-technical subjects.

Ø Understand the main points and some details of conversations between native speakers.

Ø Follow the plots of Spanish-language television shows and movies and understand the main ideas in character dialogues.

Ø Activities and Indicators of Success - Students

v Gradually become accustomed to the exclusive use of the target language in all class activities.

v Listen to recordings, television, films, and film strips that have cultural as well as practical value.

v React appropriately to response eliciting tapes and/or other verbal stimuli.

v Listen to recordings at varying lengths, taking notes, and answering comprehension questions.. Listening to short narratives and/or dialogs.

Speaking

Learning Outcomes - Students who successfully complete the Spanish V course should have attained a speaking proficiency that allows them to:

Ø Communicate facts and ideas with an accent that is accurate enough not to interfere with comprehension.

Ø Discuss topics of current interest and express personal opinions, while demonstrating a fairly good command of grammatical forms and language patterns.

Ø Narrate, describe, and explain using past, present, and future tenses correctly; and have immediate recall of a fairly broad range of vocabulary in order to speak with a level of fluency and accuracy that does not impede communication.

Ø Activities and Indicators of Success - Students will:

v Practice speaking through short discussions of readings.

v Respond orally to directed responses or questions.

v Tell stories (orally) from a series of pictures.

v Be able to speak on subjects and in situations from many aspects of life.

v Role-play in dialogues, skits, and plays prepared from supplementary materials or from individually inspired topics.

v Become familiar with taped materials and the recording of oral responses.

Culture

Learning Outcomes - Students who successfully complete the Spanish V course will have attained a greater understanding and sensitivity toward other cultures and will be able to:

Ø Recognize and understand verbal and non-verbal cues within the Hispanic culture.

Ø Explore and discuss similarities and differences between American and Hispanic cultures and customs.

Ø Recognize the geographical and historical backgrounds of some of the major Hispanic countries and peoples of the world.

Ø Activities and Indicators of Success - Students will:

v View films and film strips and react to them by discussion, taking notes, and by creating original questions on the topics.

v Read texts, literary pieces, magazines, and news articles.

v Listen to television and/or radio broadcasts for music, news, and information.

V. Evaluation

Ø Tests - subjective and objective

Ø Quizzes

Ø Listening/comprehension

Ø Oral testing with emphasis on fluency and pronunciation

Ø Written compositions based on reading materials

Ø Oral presentations

Ø Individual projects

Ø Daily conversation and participation

Ø Homework assignments

Ø Translations

Ø Combination of oral/aural and written activities during any given class period(s).

VI. Course Overview

Ø Survey of Hispanic civilization which will consist of background information and can be used to improve reading comprehension, speaking practice and writing practice through the use of summaries.

Ø Structure Review of basic topics including all tenses, the use of the subjunctive, the use of the imperfect and preterit, and verb "to be". Personal pronouns, passive voice, articles and other concepts that require more remediation.

Ø Literature will include readings from some major Hispanic authors as well as biographical information A series of short stories by noted authors will also be presented.

v Text - AP Spanish; Preparing for the Language Examination - Spanish three years - AM SCO

v Magazines

v Dictionaries

v Supplemental readers

v Selected Films, Videos, Tapes

v Newspapers (as available)

v Teacher prepared materials