Answers to common questions of students and parents.
- What are the foreign language requirements I need to graduate?
- Do I have to take Spanish 4? How about AP? Is it mandatory after taking 4?
- What happens if I FAIL the Regents but PASS the course?
- What do I do if I PASS the Regents and FAIL the course?
- Should I buy a CD ROM to practice at home?
- Do I need a dictionary for Spanish 3? How about Spanish 4?
- I feel funny talking in class - do I really have to speak?
- What happens if I don't do my homework?
- Can I skip a year and then take Spanish again next year?
- What is the difference between Spanish 1, Spanish 1B and Cultural Language?
- What are your qualifications to teach my child?
- OK, Seora...really...what's the deal with Sean Connery??
What are the foreign language requirements I need to graduate?
To get a REGENTS diploma, you must receive ONE full credit of Spanish. This
can be done either with the combination of passing Spanish 7/8 AND the NY
proficiency exam, or with Spanish 1, Cultural Language, or Spanish 1B at the
High School.
To get an ADVANCED REGENTS diploma, you must take and PASS the NY Regents
examination at the end of Spanish 3. Passing consists of a grade of 65 or
better for foreign language.
Do I have to take Spanish 4? How about AP? Is it mandatory after taking 4?
You should take Honors only if you enjoy the language, do well in the
subject, and are prepared to WORK and PARTICIPATE in class. After Spanish 3,
there are no longer language requirements.
While it's never mandatory to take an AP course, we STRONGLY urge students
to fulfill their goals and complete the final year of language. It looks
wonderful on college applications, and may actually qualify you for college
credit at certain schools! Of course, scheduling conflicts may prevent you
from taking the AP, but every effort should be made to take the course and AP
exam. Please speak to your guidance counselor if you have additional
questions.
What happens if I FAIL the Regents but PASS the course?
You will receive SCHOOL credit for completing the class, but you will NOT
get the Regents credit for your sequence. You will have to either re-take
the exam the following January, or pick up another sequence in a different
subject.
What do I do if I PASS the Regents and FAIL the course?
The opposite of above: You will get credit toward your REGENTS sequence, but
will not receive school credit for the class. If this were to happen, you
could either re-take the class, or make sure you have enough credits to
graduate by taking another elective.
Should I buy a CD ROM to practice at home?
CD ROM packages are usually lacking in specific grammar and vocabulary words
you will need in school. I don't recommend spending money on a CD unless you
want to continue studying on your own over the summer. If you need help or
review, I will be glad to make you review packets to work on in your free
time or recommend some interactive web sites that are free and can help you
reinforce the basics.
Do I need a dictionary for Spanish 3? How about Spanish 4?
I HIGHLY recommend purchasing a pocket sized dictionary for Spanish 3; they
are required in level 4 and 5. You don't need a huge book - a small one
will do. I recommend VOX or CASSELS.
I feel funny talking in class - do I really have to speak?
How did you learn English as a child? Repeat, memorize, and mimic. You will
NOT be successful in Spanish if you do not attempt to participate weekly. I
encourage you to answer and ask questions in class, practice vocabulary, and
use your language skills during class. (Plus, they're part of your grade!!)
What happens if I don't do my homework?
Depending on which level you are taking, homework points make up anywhere
from 10 to 15% of your average. Not doing homework can cause your grade to
drop anywhere from 2 to 8 points. Or, doing all of your homework may cause
your grade to go up 2 or 3 points. Three missed homeworks per semester equal
a phone call home. I like to think that my homework assignments are quick
and easy - a reinforcement and practice of what we learned in class, so you
don't forget by the next day. :)
Can I skip a year and then take Spanish again next year?
It is not recommended that you skip a year of language, as you will lose a
considerable amount of what you have learned during the year off. You should
take any language in a continuous sequence.
What is the difference between Spanish 1, Spanish 1B and Cultural Language?
Good question! Basically, Spanish 1 is for anyone who has never taken a
language before but needs the requirement to graduate, or for someone who
wants to start over from the beginning, or even someone who wants to pick up
a second foreign language. Taking Spanish 1 allows you to move into Spanish 2
and go for the language sequence.
Cultural Language is for people who just want the one year of study to
graduate. While it satisifies the requirement, it doesn't go into the
detailed grammar or writing activities that are needed to be successful in
other levels. It's meant for someone who has had trouble with language in the
past and just wants to "get it over with." If you take Cultural Language,
you can NOT go into Spanish 2.
Finally, Spanish 1B is ONLY for people who took Spanish 1A at the Junior
High. It is the second half of the Level 1 curriculum, which is brand new
for students. (Basically, it's the 8th grade curriculum offered at the High
School). Since we begin around chapter 7 of the book, it is not a course that
is open to students who are new to the language or who have taken a few years
off. Once you pass Spanish 1B, you have completed your requirement. However,
you CAN continue into Spanish 2. Hope that helps!
What are your qualifications to teach my child?
I have a Bachelor's in Spanish from SUNY Oneonta, and both my teaching
extension and Master's Degrees from SUNY New Paltz. However, nothing has
prepared, taught, qualified, or molded me for teaching like the actual
classroom experience. I've taught for over a decade in various levels - the
only thing I haven't taught is the AP - and I've learned from trends,
colleagues, trial and error, and most importantly, from my students,
what works and what doesn't. I am constantly improving, updating, varying,
and experimenting with my classroom techniques so that my students receive
the best education possible from me.
OK, Seora...really...what's the deal with Sean Connery??
What's the deal? He's only the most talented, best looking, hardest working
actor in the world! Not to mention the ONLY James Bond! It started out as a
joke, but has quickly become an obsession...and it certainly has given me a
reputation among the students! Sean Connery appears on every quiz we take,
and usually makes an appearance in most class notes. Hey...whatever works!
