INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II

WHY ARE WE HERE?

When we speak another language, we step beyond our limited cultural

WHO AM I AND HOW CAN
YOU FIND ME?
Dr. Jennifer Darrell
jenniferdarrell@kings.edu
x5211
HM 517
MY OFFICE HOURS
TTh, 2:00-4:30, or by
appointment
CLASS TIME AND LOCATION
surroundings and recognize that the language we are learning represents real
people. An awareness of cultures beyond our own deepens our understanding
of the diverse world in which we live and our place in it. When we take the time
to interact with others in the global community, we are often confronted with
values and perspectives that challenge our beliefs and assumptions. In this
class, we will work together to cultivate an understanding of and respect for
cultural diversity. We will strive to suspend judgment, to critically reflect upon
our preconceived notions of ourselves and others, and to see ourselves as part
of a larger, global community.
Intermediate Spanish II is designed for students who have previously
completed Intermediate Spanish I or have the equivalent preparation. We will
review essential topics from first year and first-semester intermediate courses,
and we will engage in continued instruction in Spanish grammar, vocabulary,
and culture. By the end of the course, you should be able to communicate
about activities related to your current interests and past experiences, compare
these experiences to those found in Hispanic culture(s), express your opinions,
and discuss in broad terms specific facets of Hispanic culture(s) in a global
context. Because you cannot learn a language without actively using it, we
will, of course, conduct class in Spanish. (DON'T PANIC! YOU CAN DO IT!)

MWF, 10:00-10:50 WHAT WILL WE LEARN ABOUT?

HM 203
We will divide the semester into four units, each dedicated to a different theme
CONVERSATION HOUR or topic. At the beginning of each unit, you will receive a unit guide that
introduces the topic, highlights the essential questions we'll be exploring, and
outlines what you'll be able to do in Spanish by the end of the unit. Your unit
W, 3:30-4:30 guide will also explain how you will demonstrate that you have successfully
Foreign Language Lounge met all of our goals for the unit (i.e., the assignments you will be asked to
HM 516 complete). Here is a brief outline of our units:

Gender
Roles Economics
01 08/30-09/22 10/20-11/10
03

Natural Immigration
See? Sometimes I need help too! Resources
It's always best to ask! 02 09/24-10/18 04 11/13-12/06
 WHAT WILL YOU BE ABLE TO DO AFTER
TAKING THIS CLASS?

Interpersonal Speaking: You'll be able to use communication

strategies, such as circumlocution, to orally communicate a
message and exchange information using language
comprehensible to individuals at least marginally familiar with non-
native speech. You'll be able to use a series of moderately complex
sentences, including present and past tense, comparisons, present MATERIALS NEEDED
subjunctive, descriptive phrases, key idiomatic expressions and a
range of relevant vocabulary in order to convey messages related
to your daily life and experiences, both current and past, to express Gilda Nissenberg, Practice
Makes Perfect: Intermediate
your opinions on a range of topics, to compare your culture to
Spanish Grammar, McGraw-Hill,
Hispanic culture(s), and to communicate meaningful information 2012.
about Hispanic culture(s) in a global context.
Dorothy Richmond, Practice
Makes Perfect Spanish
Presentational Speaking: You'll be able to make presentations Vocabulary, 2nd Edition,
using language comprehensible to people at least moderately McGraw-Hill, 2012.
familiar with non-native speech. You will speak in connected,
moderately complex sentences using both basic grammatical $5. We'll use this money to
structures (such as regular and irregular present and past tense change the world. (Yes, really!)
and descriptive phrases), and more complex structures (such
as the present subjunctive and key idiomatic expressions) as well
as the vocabulary necessary to communicate both basic ideas A folder or binder for handouts.
and the more in-depth topics of the course. You'll be able Since we're not working out of a
traditional textbook, there will be
to present on topics related to your daily life and experiences,
several of these, and you'll want
both current and past, including your opinions on a range of to keep them organized.
topics, comparisons between your culture and Hispanic
culture(s), and meaningful information about Hispanic culture(s)
in a global context. Your speech will consist of practiced A variety of colored highlighters,
language, but you won't be reading off note cards or your pencils, and/or pens. We'll use
audio/visual materials. You will use PowerPoint, Prezi and/or these to mark up readings in
other A/V materials to help maintain the interest of your audience. class to practice different
comprehension strategies.

Writing: You'll be able to write organized paragraphs using simple, A Spanish dictionary or app. I
creative language and more complex structures, including present recommend WordReference,
and past tense, comparisons, present subjunctive, descriptive which is available both online and
phrases, key idiomatic expressions and a range of relevant as an app.
vocabulary in order to convey messages related to your daily lives
and experiences, both current and past, to express your opinions, to Other materials will be posted on
compare your culture to Hispanic culture(s), and to communicate Moodle, so please remember to
meaningful information about Hispanic culture(s) in a global context. check the site frequently!

DO I HAVE TO COME TO CLASS?
WHAT HAPPENS IF I'M ABSENT?
Yes, of course you have to come to
class! I miss you when you're not
there! (Not to mention the fact that
we will cover a LOT of material in
class, and it will be very difficult for
you to do well in the course if you are
absent.)
Of course, sometimes life happens.
Maybe you have a gigantic
chemistry exam to study for, or
maybe you're just not feeling well. To
account for this, I give you three
absences to do with as you wish.
Use them wisely.
For each absence after your third, I
lower your final grade by 3 points. If
you have four absences and a final
grade of 87, you will earn an 84. If
extenuating circumstances come up
that will take you out of class for an
extended period of time, come talk to
me, and we'll work something out.
If you miss a day of class, you are
still responsible for turning in any
assignments that were due that day,
and it is your job to get the notes
from class.
Also please note that I don't like
getting in trouble any more than you
do, so if you are absent a lot, I'll have
to follow the college policy and refer
your name to the Associate Vice
President for Student Success and
Retention. Please see page 112 of the
Kings College Student Handbook for
more information on the colleges
attendance policy.
WHAT IF I HAVE A DISABILITY?
No worries! Just come talk to me
and we'll make any necessary
arrangements for your success!
WHAT ELSE WILL YOU BE ABLE TO DO AFTER
TAKING THIS CLASS?
Listening: You'll be able to comprehend native speech at
moderate speed related to your current interests and past
experiences, similar topics in Hispanic culture(s), and meaningful
information about Hispanic culture(s) in a global context. You'll be
able to understand passages that use familiar vocabulary as well
as cognates and terms that can be inferred from the context. The
passage may also contain some, significant unfamiliar vocabulary
that requires you to infer the meaning of sections of conversation
without understanding the message in its entirety. You should be
able to identify the meaning of simple and some complex
sentences, summarize the gist of the overall message, and
recognize and recall facts from the listening passage (these are
collectively considered "lower order" thinking skills), as well as
identify the main idea of what is said, explain how certain specific
details relate to the main message, and perform other interpretive
tasks, such as comparing/contrasting, applying the information
from the listening passage to new contexts, and/or evaluating the
information you heard (these would be considered "higher order"
thinking skills).
Reading: You'll be able to read extended and/or multiple
paragraphs related to your daily life and experiences, similar topics
in Hispanic culture(s), and elements of Hispanic culture(s) in a
global context. You'll be able to understand passages that use
familiar vocabulary as well as cognates and terms that can be
inferred from the context. The passage may also contain some,
significant unfamiliar vocabulary that requires you to infer the
meaning of sections of the passage without understanding the
reading in its entirety. You should be able to identify the meaning
of simple and some complex sentences, summarize the gist of the
reading, and recognize and recall facts (these are collectively
considered "lower order" thinking skills), as well as identify the
main idea of what is written, explain how certain specific details
relate to the main message, and perform other interpretive tasks,
such as comparing/contrasting, applying the information from the
reading to new contexts, and/or evaluating the information you
read (these would be considered "higher order" thinking skills).
Culture: You'll be able to identify a variety of products and
behavioral practices from Hispanic culture(s), and you'll be
able to explain how these products and practices reflect
certain cultural values. You'll also be able to make
comparisons between American culture(s) and Hispanic
culture(s).

HOW CAN I DO WELL?
Prepare and participate!
BUT WHAT IF I MAKE A MISTAKE?
I DON'T WANT TO LOOK DUMB!
If you make a mistake,
congratulations! Mistakes are part
of learning a new language, and you
need to be willing to take risks to
develop your skills. I'd much rather
see you try and make mistakes than
not try at all!
CAN I PLAGIARIZE?
Umm, no. Is this really a surprise?
If you are ever in doubt as to whether
something is permissible or not,
please ask! You may also refer to
pages 4450 of the Kings College
Student Handbook for a detailed
explanation of the Academic
Integrity Policy.
WHAT ABOUT GOOGLE
TRANSLATE?
That would also be a no. In foreign
language courses, the use of online
translation sites, such as Google
Translate, constitutes a violation of
the Academic Integrity Policy.
WHO WILL HELP ME?
Me! Come see me during office
hours! We also have many
instructional support services
available through the Academic
Skills Center, including Spanish
language tutors, and they are
excellent! More information on the
Academic Skills Center can be
found at:
http://www.kings.edu/academics/su
pport/skills_center.
HOW WILL YOU BE GRADED?
We are using proficiency-based grading in this course. This means your grade
will reflect what you are able to DO with the language, rather than how much
of your homework you completed, how much you spoke up in class, or the
grades you got on your tests. (In fact, we won't have any tests in this class!)
This means that you can't get a good grade simply by being a good student.
(Of course, good study habits will always pay off and result in improved
language skills!) BUT, it also means your grade is never ruined beyond repair.
You can always improve! I'll be giving you lots of feedback throughout the
semester about what you're doing well and what you can do to take your skills
to the next level. If you work hard and demonstrate improvement, I'll adjust
your grade to reflect your new level of proficiency.
In each unit, you will complete several activities that will let me check in with
you about how you are progressing, and you will also complete a final project
that will show how well you have met the learning goals for the unit, both in
terms of your communicative abilities and your intercultural competence. Each
unit guide will include a detailed rubric explaining what you need to do to meet
the expectations in that unit.
Exceeds Expectations A
Here is how I'll translate
the degree to which you Meets Expectations - Strong B
meet expectations into a Meets Expectations - Minimal C
grade. Does Not Meet Expectations... Yet D
No Basis For Judgment F
Reading Listening
20% 20%
Here is how your
performance in each
of the skills will be
factored into your
Writing Speaking (I)* overall course grade.
20% 20%
Speaking (P)*
20%
*Your speaking grade will be divided into two parts: interpersonal, (i.e. spontaneous
conversation) and presentational (i.e. rehearsed presentations). Don't worry, we'll talk more
about this, and I'll give you strategies for how to excel in each mode!