Spanish I is an introductory course designed for true beginners, ideal for students with no previous knowledge of Spanish. The goal of this course is to provide students with a foundational understanding of the Spanish language while developing their proficiency in the five core language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and intercultural competence.
The course utilizes the innovative Mapas program, specifically designed for North American high school students learning Spanish at the introductory level. Mapas follows a project-based, content-focused approach that encourages students to actively engage in their learning by exploring various cultural topics and using Spanish in meaningful, real-world contexts. This method fosters a deeper understanding of the language and its cultural significance, as students work on projects that integrate grammar, vocabulary, and cultural exploration.
In this course, students will be provided with every opportunity to practice Spanish in a low-stakes, authentic environment. Research supports the idea that long-term language learning occurs when we actively produce language. As a result, students will be asked to review grammar points and concepts prior to coming to class, so they can maximize their in-class time practicing and receiving feedback from the instructor. While your instructor will provide grammatical clarifications as needed, the majority of classroom time will focus on language practice rather than rote learning.
Additionally, the instructor will strive to use the target language as much as possible during class to immerse students in the Spanish-speaking environment, enhancing their ability to understand and communicate effectively. The emphasis will be on creating a dynamic and supportive atmosphere where students can feel confident making mistakes and improving their language skills in real-time.
By the end of the course, students will be able to understand and produce basic Spanish in both written and spoken forms, engage in simple conversations, comprehend basic texts, and demonstrate an appreciation for the cultural diversity within the Spanish-speaking world. This course will prepare students for further study in Spanish, developing their ability to communicate effectively and thoughtfully in various contexts.
Instructor: Fernando Santos
Instructor Bio: Fernando N. Santos was born in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States at age ten. He holds a BA in Spanish with a minor in Media Arts from Mercy College in New York and earned his MA in Spanish Literature from the University of Kansas. Santos attended Instituto Hemingway in Bilbao, Spain, an institute accredited by Instituto Cervantes, where he completed Spanish language and literature courses. He works as a Lecturer of Spanish at Binghamton University in New York, and his areas of interest include digital humanities, multilingual digital humanities, sociolinguistics, and second language acquisition.
Required Materials: pen or pencil; 3-ring binder w/ looseleaf notebook paper; computer (laptop/tablet) with microphone and webcam; Spanish-English dictionary (Collins or Larousse are excellent ones for physical copies); Mapas 1: 6-Month The KWL Hub for Students
TEEN DAY Ithaca 