Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures  Summer Session I (June7 - July 9)

This third course of the basic Spanish series at the University of Delaware will consolidate your knowledge of the Spanish language. Students will participate in a variety of class activities which will strengthen their abilities in the following areas: listening comprehension, speaking, reading, writing and cultural appreciation. The goal of all classes is to engage the students in meaningful, communicative activities in the target language (Spanish). In order to achieve this goal, the Instructor will conduct the course entirely in Spanish, and it is expected that the students will communicate in Spanish at all times.

At the end of this course, students should be able to do the following: handle basic conversations on familiar topics, write diverse kinds of communications (formal and informal compositions, summaries, letters, etc.), and read a wide range of authentic material (newspaper and magazine articles, short stories, excerpts from novels, poems, etc.).

Spanish 107 will also provide the necessary foundation of structural, lexical, conversational, and literary aspects of the language for those students planning to continue their formal study of Spanish in more advanced courses.

[II] Background Requirements

Students at this level are expected to be familiar with basic Spanish vocabulary and to have a good grasp of most basic grammar concepts (subject/verb agreement; conjugation of the present, preterit, imperfect indicative and present subjunctive tenses; subject and direct object pronouns), as well as some control over advanced concepts (adjective/noun agreement; preterit vs. Imperfect tenses; use of direct and indirect object pronouns; conjugation of the conditional tense; conjugation of "gustar" and similar verbs; the use of formal and informal commands, etc.).

Students are strongly urged to practice these grammar topics on their own. The Foreign Language Media Center has various software programs available for use. Also, a good CD-ROM available for purchase in the University Bookstore is called "Tú dirás".

{NOTE: Only a few CD-ROMS remain in stock at the bookstore. The cost is $35.00. If you are interested in buying one, you must ask at the text counter.}

[III] Materials

[A] Required

1. Siempre Adelante (text) by Jorge H. Cubillos; Heinle & Heinle Publishers, 1996.
2. Siempre Adelante (workbook) by T. McCone & A. Martínez-Lewis; Heinle & Heinle Publishers, 1996.
3. WWW site - http://www.udel.edu/leipzig/107

1. English - Spanish / Spanish - English Dictionary

[IV] Evaluation

[A] Grading Components:
 

Oral Component 35%  Class Participation Grades (4) 15%   Oral Presentations (2) 20%	Reading Component 10%  Mid Term Exam 10%
Writing Component 25%  Compositions (2) 15%   WWW assignments (3) 10%	Support Skills 15%  (grammar, vocabulary, culture)  Pruebas (2) 15%

 

Final (assessing all skills) - 15%

All FLLT courses use the following plus/minus grading scale:

A 93-100 B- 80-82 D+ 67-69

A- 90-92 C+ 77-79 D 63-66

B+ 87-89 C 73-76 D- 60-62

B 83-86 C- 70-72 F 59 and lower

[B] Expectations:

1. Class Participation ( 15%)

-includes: completion of homework assignments (may be collected or simply reviewed in class); participation in "escenarios"; and involvement in class activities.

*Students will be evaluated daily, and Instructor will assign grades after every two chapters using this guide:

-A (90s) participates actively in class and during small group work; has homework

completed well; often volunteers and always uses Spanish

-B (80s) participates actively in class and during small group work; has homework

completed well; sometimes volunteers and uses primarily Spanish

-C (70s) answers correctly when called upon; homework not always prepared well or

not completed on time; shows little initiative to use Spanish

-D (60s) not able to answer when called upon; homework prepared poorly or not at all;

shows little interest / ability to use Spanish

-F (50s) cannot answer when called upon; does not prepare homework nor follow class

2. Oral Presentations (20%)

Students will research the assigned topic; write and turn in an outline; and then present the information to the class, using notes written on index cards, if preferred. Students will be grades on the outline, content and creativity, and oral presentation skills.

3. Compositions (15%)

There are two compositions testing written expression in Spanish (organization of ideas, content, vocabulary usage, and grammatical accuracy). Students are to view composition writing as a process; therefore, each composition will be written two times.

The first version will be written in class, and students may use a dictionary if desired. At the end of the designated time period, students will turn in their work. The Instructor will evaluate the composition using the "Composition Correction Symbols", and the "Composition Grade Scale" (which is out of 80 points). The Instructor will also provide helpful comments on how the students can improve their writing, and return the composition a few class periods later.

Students will then be paired, and guided through the "Peer Editing Process". At this time, questions may be asked of the Instructor, as well. Students then take the composition home, work on the revisions, and submit the final draft, typed, by the due date. As many as 20 additional points will be awarded for improvements on the final draft.

NOTE: An excellent software program called "Atajo - Writing Assistant Software for Spanish" is available for use at the FL Media Center, 111 McDowell, 005 Morris Library, and 116 Pearson.

4. WWW assignments (10%)

Students are to visit the home page and follow the indicated links to gain information about the assigned topic. It is recommended to use a notebook while gathering the information for the answer. The answer is then e-mailed to the Instructor. The assignments will then be discussed in class. The goal is to provide students with additional cultural information and to practice writing skills with a focus on content. Grades will be based on content only, using the following scale:

100-90 Thorough answer. Well-supported personal opinions.

89-80 Adequate answer. Some support of personal opinions.

79-70 Acceptable answer. Little or no support of personal opinions.

<70 Inadequate answer. No personal opinions.
 
 

5. Pruebas (15%)

A quiz will be given at the end of Chapter 2 (testing the Capítulos 1 and 2), and at the end of Chapter 6 (testing Capítulos 5 and 6). Quizzes will test grammatical structures, vocabulary and cultural information presented in these chapters.

6. Mid-term Exam (10%)

The exam will be given at the end of Chapter 4. Students will read a selected text, and perform various comprehension activities. Dictionaries may be used (sparingly).

7. Final Exam (15%)

This will consist of a "wrap-up" project, that the students will do alone, or in groups of two. Ideas will be discussed during the first week of class, and a proposal of the project content must be submitted and approved by 24 July. Final Projects will be presented on the last day of class.

[V] Academic Dishonesty

The University of Delaware's policy on academic dishonesty states, in part, that "copying,

or allowing another student to copy, a computer file that contains another student's assignment, and submitting it, in part or in its entirety, as one's own" constitutes plagiarism. "Working together on an assignment, sharing the computer files and programs involved, and then submitting individual copies of the assignment as one's own individual work" also constitutes plagiarism. The sanctions for such acts range from "a written reprimand or a requirement that the student repeat the work", or "to remove the student form the course". Whatever the sanctions may be, the official policy on academic dishonesty requires that "all acts or attempted acts of alleged academic dishonesty be reported to the Dean of Students Office for disposition within the University Undergraduate Student Judicial System". It is important that all students, for their own protection, be aware of the consequences of such acts.

[VI] Attendance Policy: (applied in all 100-level Foreign Language Courses)

A. Absences

Spanish 107 is a 72-hour course in intermediate Spanish. Successful completion of the course presupposes 72 class hours of direct contact with the Spanish language, much the same way a laboratory course or a skill-licensing course presupposes a predetermined number of contact or practical hours. Nevertheless:

• the first 2 class days absent will be excused (no penalties assessed)
• an absence after the first two, regardless of the reason (illness, accident, religious holiday, etc.), will require proper written documentation to be presented to the instructor on the day of return
• the final grade will be lowered by 3% for each unexcused day of absence.
• there are no make-ups (tests, extensions on composition deadlines, etc.) for unexcused absences.

 

Penalties for late arrivals will be discussed if needed.

[VII] Additional Resources

1. Foreign Language Media Center - 211/212 Smith Hall - 831-6551

(Director: Dr. Thomas McCone)

Summer Hours: T, W, R - 8:30 - 4:30.

-contains a wide selection of video tapes and computer software designed to assist students and teachers. Students must have their ID card to use a computer or watch a video.

-various Internet-ready computers are available for use (mostly IBMs, and a few MACs).

2. Morris Library

-also contains a wide selection of video tapes, as well as newspapers and periodicals.

[VIII] Important Dates

Week 1 Composition 1

Week 2 Oral Presentation 1, Quiz 1

Week 3 Mid Term Exam, Composition 2

Week 4 Oral Presentation 2, Quiz 2

Week 5 Final Project due

The skill of writing in a Foreign Language is complex; it involves more than just knowing the necessary vocabulary. It is a process - involving the organization of your ideas on a given topic, the feed-back of your Instructor and classmates, and the revision of your original draft. This guide will help you to understand this process and, eventually, improve your writing skills in Spanish.

Your composition will be grades using the following scale and symbols. The highest possible grade for the first draft is 80 points.
 

Composition Scale	A	B	C	D	F
Organization (Outline)	10	9	8	7	6
Content	20	18	16	14	12
Vocabulary	20	18	16	14	12
Grammar	30	27	24	21	18

 

Verb tense error Incorrect word order
 
 

Verb form error Don't translate word for word
 
 

Agreement error Omit
 
 

Spelling error Accent / punctuation error
 
 

Word (s) missing Wrong word
 
 

New paragraph needed No new paragraph needed
 
 

Incomprehensible Very nice
 
 
 
 

Language learning involves making mistakes! By discussing and correcting these mistakes, you and your partner can help each other to improve your grades.

Use the following guide as you peer-edit:

1. Write "Peer - edited by ______" on your partner's composition.

2. Read the composition.

3. Write an answer to each of the following questions on your partner's paper:

a. What did my partner write about?

b. Is there a title? Is there an introduction? Is there a conclusion?

c. Did my partner communicate clear, specific information about the topic?

4. Go back and reread each sentence.

d. Are the sentences / paragraphs logically organized?

e. Is the vocabulary varied, and appropriate?

f. Do any sentences contain phrases that seen to be translated word for word?

If so, mark then using the symbol { } .

5. Consider the assignment again.

g. Did my partner use the correct verb tenses? Are the verbs conjugated correctly?

h. Do the verbs agree with the subject?

I. Are there any mistakes in spelling or adjective/noun agreement?

Circle anything you think needs to be checked.

Take your composition home, make the necessary revisions, type it, and turn in the final draft by the due date. The following information may be helpful if you use a computer / word processor for your work:

If you are using an IBM, you can change the configuration of your keyboard to the "International setting". See your owner's manual for directions.

Or, you may use the "ALT" key with the numbers pad - Be sure to depress the ALT key and then strike the following numbers on the numbers pad:

á ALT+160	í ALT+161	ú ALT+163	¿ ALT+168
é ALT + 130	ó ALT+162	ñ ALT+164	¡ ALT+173

 

If you are using a MAC, you can use the "opt" key with the vowels:
 

á opt + e, then e again	í opt + e, then I	ú opt + e, then u	¿ opt + shift ?
é opt + e, then a	ó opt + e, then o	ñ opt + n, then n	¡ opt + 1