WORLD LANGUAGE I - SPANISH CURRICULUM

Submitted by

Patricia D. Westerfer

7/30/02

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 begin 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.

Ø      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. Core Curriculum Content Standards

Ø      All students will be able to communicate at a basic literacy level in at least one language other than English. (7.1)

Ø      All students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationship between language and culture for at least one World Language in addition to English. (7.2)

 

III.   Guiding Principles

Ø      Foreign Languages are an essential part of the students' overall education. (7.1,7.2)

Ø      The primary goal in the study of Foreign Language is communicative proficiency. (7.1)

Ø      Students should be able to read, write, speak and comprehend in the Foreign Language. (7.1)

Ø      The effective Foreign Language classroom is one in which the student is the main focus.

Ø      The student should be made aware of career possibilities which involve Foreign Languages.

Ø      Foreign Languages connect with other academic disciplines.

 

IV.   Proficiencies

Ø      The student will demonstrate the ability to understand spoken Spanish in daily conversation by listening to and correctly responding to the teacher, cassettes and CDs, videos and other students. (7.1)

Ø      The student will demonstrate the ability to express himself/herself orally in simple Spanish, pronouncing well, in order to be understood during class participation and by responding to cassettes and CDs. (7.1)

Ø      The student will demonstrate the ability to read and write simple Spanish by using clues, cognates and similarities between Spanish and English, including basic grammar, idioms and vocabulary by successfully completing written tests and quizzes.(7.1)

Ø      The student will demonstrate the ability to complete written assignments based on class presentation of vocabulary, idioms, grammar and cultural information. (7.1, 7.2)

Ø      The student will demonstrate an increasing familiarity with Hispanic culture through discussion, and reactions to videos, cassettes, CD's and supplementary material. (7.2)

Ø      All material will be used on the basis of the degree of proficiency attained by the students. The individual needs of the students are to be given much consideration.

 

V. Introduction

Ø      The World Language I - Spanish course is intended to introduce students to the Spanish language and culture in order to fulfill the State of New Jersey world language requirement for graduation. It also includes the Core Curriculum Content Standards. This course is not designed to be a college credit course.

Ø      It is our goal in the teaching of this course to strive for meaningful communication which includes the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Elements of vocabulary study and basic grammar will be necessary as building blocks. These will be included in activities that simulate everyday life experiences as much as possible.

Ø      In conclusion, the emphasis of this course will be placed on conversation and culture with less emphasis on grammatical structure.

 

VI. Course of Study

Reading

Learning Outcomes - Students who show a proficiency at the beginning level in reading will be able to:

Ø      Recognize letters of the alphabet of printed and written Spanish. (7.1)

Ø      Recognize and recall information presented in simple reading selections. (7.1)

Ø      Recognize Spanish punctuation and accent marks. (7.1)

Ø      Recognize common nouns, adjectives, question words and simple verb forms. (7.1)

Ø      Be able to read basic expressions, phrases, messages, such as: signs, schedules, menus, maps. (7.1)

Ø      Be able to use Spanish-English dictionaries.

Ø      Activities and Indicators of Success - Students will be exposed to various forms of printed beginning material which may include the following:

v     Textbook

v     Magazines

v     Puzzles, games

v     Newspaper articles

v     Posters

v     Letters

v     Brochures

v     Flash Cards

v     Videos, CD's, cassettes

v     Workbooks

 

Writing

Learning Outcomes - Students who demonstrate a proficiency at the beginning level of writing will be able to:

Ø      Identify and use basic parts of speech. (7.1)

Ø      Make nouns and adjectives agree in gender and number. (7.1)

Ø      Use simple verb forms. (7.1)

Ø      Select answers to complete basic responses to questions. (7.1)

Ø      Use Spanish-English dictionary when necessary.

Ø      Activities and Indicators of Success - Students will:

Ø      Identify and use basic forms of grammar.

Ø      Write simple sentences using learned vocabulary and grammar.

Ø      Write the following: names, dates, numbers, days of the week, months of the year, own nationality, simple biographical information.

Ø      Write basic question sentences.

Ø      Make menus.

Ø      Make greeting cards.

Ø      Write letters and symbols of the alphabet.

Ø      Make lists.

Ø      Include the following grammatical items in writing and other activities:

v     Definite and indefinite articles

v     Adjectives in the singular and plural

v     The verbs, "ser, ir, dar, estar, tener" in the present tense

v     Present tense of "ar, er, ir" verbs

v     The contractions "al, del"

v     "tener que"

v     "ir a"

v     Possessive adjectives

v     Some stem-changing verbs

v     The verbs, "gustar, aburrir, interesar"

 

Listening

Learning Outcomes - Students who demonstrate a proficiency in listening comprehension at the beginning level will be able to:

Ø      Listen to videos, CD's, cassettes and follow simple instructions. (7.1)

Ø      Listen and understand questions and instructional directions of the teacher and follow instructions given. (7.1)

Ø      Understand key words and phrases used in simple sentences. (7.1)

Ø      Understand requests for information. (7.1)

Ø      Activities and Indicators of Success - Students will:

v     Understand basic Spanish phrases and vocabulary covering topics such as:  greetings, courtesy expressions, dates, names and friends, school, shopping, at a cafe, the family, the house, sports.

v     Listen to videos, CD's, cassettes.

v     Respond to the teacher and classroom directions.

v     Respond to other students.

 

Speaking

Learning Outcomes - Students who demonstrate a proficiency in speaking skills at the beginning level will be able to:

Ø      Speak with simple sentences using limited vocabulary. (7.1)

Ø      Initiate or respond to questions. (7.1)

Ø      Identify pictures and/or objects. (7.1)

Ø      Share autobiographical information. (7.1)

Ø      Make simple verbal commands. (7.1)

Ø      Pronounce words correctly and use correct intonation. (7.1)

Ø      Activities and Indicators of Success - Students will:

v     Show facility in the use of greetings, introductions, farewells and posing and answering simple questions.

v     Initiate controlled conversations on topics, such as, greetings, courtesy expressions, dates, names and friends, school, shopping, at a cafe, the family, the house, sports.

v     Learn the basic pronunciation and intonation of the language by repeating with the teacher and by repeating with videos, CD's, cassettes.

v     Role-play textbook or original conversations.

 

Culture

Learning Outcomes - Students will develop understanding of and sensitivity toward people of different cultures, and will be able to:

Ø      Understand verbal and nonverbal cues expressed by the people of the Hispanic culture. (7.2)

Ø      Discuss the differences and similarities between American and Hispanic cultures. (7.2)

Ø      Recognize the geographical location of the Hispanic speaking countries of the world. (7.2)

Ø      Discuss Hispanic people and their customs. (7.2)

Ø      Activities and Indicators of Success - Students will:

v     View videos and react to them by discussion, note taking, creating original questions.

v     Produce projects, written and/or oral by using technology and other resources.

v     Read materials, such as, textbooks, magazines.

v     Listen to cassettes, CDs, and view videos and television for music, history, news and other information.

 

V. Evaluation

Ø      Tests - standardized and teacher prepared

Ø      Quizzes - standardized and teacher prepared

Ø      Listening comprehension activities, tests, quizzes

Ø      Oral quizzes with emphasis on pronunciation and fluency

Ø      Directed conversations and compositions

Ø      Homework assignments

Ø      Projects

 

VI. Materials

Ø      Text - jBuen Viaje! (2000)- Glencoe, McGraw-Hill

Ø      Workbook - jBuen Viaje! - Writing Activities Workbook

Ø      Workbook - jBuen Viaje! - Student Tape Manual

Ø      Magazines, such as, ^Oue tal?

Ø      Spanish/English Dictionaries

Ø      Supplemental materials

Ø      jBuen Viaje! Teacher Resource Kit