Spanish 1 is designed for the beginning Spanish student. No background in Spanish is expected. Comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills are developed simultaneously from simple to more complex sentence structures. The language skills are presented in a logical progression so that the student learns by practice both in the classroom and at home with the help of on-line tutorials. The learning process is based on the active participation of each student in a variety of formats. Students learn essential vocabulary, basic structures of the language, and cultural aspects of Latin America and Spain. By the end of the course, each student has the ability to do the following: ask questions and answer them affirmatively or negatively using present tenses; arrange proper word order; speak and write clearly; write short compositions; and use common idiomatic expressions.
Cine Mexicano
Students will explore Mexico through the lens of film for one semester in this advanced Spanish course designed for students who wish to improve their Spanish language skills and cultural knowledge. In class, students will view full-length feature films, shorts, and documentaries. Students will learn about the Golden Era of Mexican Film during the 1940’s and 1950’s. Students will focus on New Mexican Cinema with films from the 2010’s. Students will learn to appreciate Mexican directors, like Luis Buñuel & Claudia Saint-Luce, and actors, like Pedro Infante, Mario Moreno “Cantinflas”, Blanca Estela Pavón, Karla Souza, Eugenio Derbez. Students will gain perspective on the Mexican experience, taking a critical look at poverty and wealth, gender issues, music as a tool for change, migration, and the family unit amongst other themes. Students will be asked to view a brand new Mexican movie at a film festival. In-class discussions will provide a forum for students to think critically and trade ideas with each other. Writing assignments will include movie critiques and alternative final scenes. Students will get to make their own short films as well. In order to immerse students, the class will be conducted in Spanish and students are expected to speak Spanish in class.
*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.
Artesania de las Americas: Handicrafts of the Americas
This one semester course will explore the origin, cultural value, and materials used to create a variety of Latin American handicrafts. Students will make their own craft for each unit. Scheduling approximately 9 class meetings per handicraft project would allow for 5-6 different units during a semester course. The class would be conducted in Spanish. Students would also learn new vocabulary and review a major grammar point per project.
Each craft project would be accompanied by:
-
- historical background of object
- cultural value and meaning of object
- vocabulary list related to current topic
- at least one main grammar review point
- formal and informal commands
- preterite & imperfect
- present subjunctive
- future & conditional
- at least 2-3 reading comprehension activities
- music/videos/visuals
*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.
AP Spanish Language & Culture
AP Spanish language covers the equivalent material of a third-year college course in advanced Spanish composition and conversation. The aims of this two-semester course are: to improve dramatically the student’s speaking ability; to review systematically grammar previously studied; to master — orally and in writing — new and more complex grammar concepts; to expose students to the literary use of Spanish and to increase both their literal and critical reading skills; to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Examination; and to enhance the students’ knowledge of the cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. Students will be required to speak Spanish in a variety of situations ranging from class discussions to oral presentations and debates. Students will read newspaper and magazine articles, short stories, poems, and excerpts from novels or plays by peninsular and/or Latin American authors. The selected class materials are designed to stimulate and perfect conversation and to assist students in the imitation of the native speaker’s pronunciation, rhythm, moods and humor as their abilities increase. This class is conducted in Spanish, and students are expected to speak Spanish at all times.
*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
Spanish 2
Spanish 2 is a language course designed for students who have successfully completed their first year of Spanish. It is a two-semester course which aims to improve the student’s ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish, to systematically review grammar previously studied, and to master new concepts in Spanish, and to enhance the student’s knowledge of the cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world. The emphasis on improvement of oral skills will be considerable, and the student will be encouraged to speak in Spanish on a variety of topics and in a number of situations ranging from question and answer to oral presentations and/or situations.
Spanish 2H
Spanish 2H is an accelerated course designed to challenge the student who, during his/her first year, has actively participated in class, mastered the grammar and vocabulary presented in level one and/or demonstrated the ability to advance more rapidly than the average college preparatory student. The teacher will aid students in acquiring the following skills: increased oral proficiency on a variety of topics, an expanded vocabulary, the ability to read selections appropriate to intermediate level students and increased ability to write essays. The course materials are designed to stimulate conversation and to perfect that skill, striving to imitate the native speaker’s pronunciation, accent, and rhythm, as the student’s abilities increase. Students will also become more informed about some of the contemporary problems and difficulties affecting Hispanic communities. Students will further develop their ability to express themselves in spoken and written Spanish.
*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA
Spanish 3
Spanish 3 is an intermediate level language course designed for those students who have acquired satisfactory competency during their first two years of language study. The course builds upon the skills and material covered in Spanish 1 and 2. It reviews all major grammatical structures and introduces a broader scope of grammatical knowledge. Emphasis is given to improving oral skills, broadening the range of grammatical structures the student can effectively use in writing and conversation, enriching the student’s vocabulary and deepening his/her awareness of present day social justice issues within the Spanish-speaking world, as well as examining immigration issues facing Latinos. This class is conducted in Spanish, except when complex grammar concepts require a clearer explanation in English. Students are expected to speak in Spanish at all times.
Spanish 3H
Spanish 3H is an advanced language course designed for students identified during their first two years as those superior Spanish students, who wish to become fluent in Spanish and prepare themselves for Spanish 4 AP. Students will practice the major grammar structures previously studied, as well as more complex grammar concepts, including expanded uses of the subjunctive mood. Considerable emphasis will be given to enriching the students’ active vocabulary and increasing their ability to comprehend and express themselves in spoken and written Spanish. Students will be required to speak in Spanish in a variety of situations ranging from class discussion to oral presentations and situations. Students will be able to read with comprehension selected short stories and newspaper and magazine articles. They will also become more informed about some of the contemporary problems and difficulties affecting Hispanic communities. This class is conducted in Spanish, and students are expected to speak Spanish at all time.
*Class receives honors weighting in SI weighted GPA and UC/CSU GPA calculations
Spanish 4
This two-semester course is an advanced language course designed for those students who wish to improve and build upon their Spanish skills and delve deeper into the cultures and literature of the Spanish-speaking world. Prominent topics uncovered will be the volatile history of Latin American dictatorships, the impact and perception of Hispanics/Latinos in the U.S., and the diversity and beauty of art in the Spanish-speaking world. The course is comprised of an on-going review of all major grammar structures, as well as a thorough study of more complex grammar concepts. Considerable emphasis is given to broadening his/her cultural awareness of the Spanish-speaking world and increasing his/her ability to comprehend and express him/herself in both spoken and written Spanish. In order to maximize interaction with the language, students are expected to speak Spanish at all times.
Español Moderno
This is an advanced, semester-long course designed for students who wish to improve their Spanish language skills and cultural knowledge, with particular emphasis on the improvement of oral communication skills. Students will gain a better understanding of the culture, history and traditions of Latin America and Spain by watching films and participating in class debates and discussions. New vocabulary and expressions will be taught to allow the students a better understanding of the authentic materials used in class. The class will review some of the advanced grammar structures learned in previous classes, but no new grammar structures will be covered. This class will be conducted in Spanish, and students will be expected to speak Spanish at all times.
*This class will be offered pending adequate enrollment.