Syllabus for Spanish Conversation
2012-2013
ROBERT A. JENKINS, INSTRUCTOR
ROOM 339
804-354-6800 EXTENSION 3311
bjenkins@gsgis.k12.va.us
OFFICE ROOM 331. OFFICE HOURS: AVAILABLE UPON
REQUEST AND BY APPOINTMENT.
COURSE DESCRIPTION, OBJECTIVES AND GOALS:
Spanish Conversation is offered as an elective course to students who have
completed their 4 year language requirement. This course is conducted
entirely in Spanish. Through lectures, guest speakers, site visits and
discussions and analysis of text, students investigate aspects of course
content. Students work toward increased fluency and self-confidence in
speaking Spanish. Conversational skills are developed through the following
means: organized debates, assigned topics for class discussions, readings and
writings from authentic and current sources to enrich the vocabulary, lectures
and presentations by native speakers, cultural activities and events, direct
communication with the Richmond Hispanic community, and more. In summary,
individual topics and focuses of this course are designed to build upon the
knowledge base and Spanish fluency reached in the previous years of study.
All students will leave this course with a broader range of vocabulary and
expression, and more confidence to communicate in real-life situations as
effective citizens of the 21st century global economy.
TEXTS: THERE ARE NO REQUIRED TEXTS OR WORKBOOKS FOR THIS CLASS.
HANDOUTS AND INTERNET RESOURCES WILL SUPPLEMENT THE
INSTRUCTION.
The seven main reference resource texts are the following:
1. Conversation in Spanish-Points of Departure, 6th ed.,
Heinle & Heinle, Schmidt-Cruz/Sedwick, 2001.
2. Advanced Spanish Grammar, 2nd ed., Prado/Wiley, Inc.,
1997.
3. Español en vivo, Yale University Press, Pilar Piñar,
2005.
4. ¡Conversemos!, Intermediate Conversation, 3rd ed.,
Houghton-Mifflin, Jarvis/Lebredo, 2003.
5. Conversaciones creadoras, 3rd ed., Cengage Learning,
2006.
6. Facetas. Nivel intermedio/Curso breve, 3rd ed., Blanco &
Colbert, Vista Higher Learning. Boston, Massachusetts,
2012.
7. Nexos, 2nd ed., Spaine Long, Carreira, Madrigal Velasco &
Swanson, Heinle Cengage Learning. Boston, Massachusetts,
2010.
Other references used in class:
8. Tertulia, 2nd ed., Thomson/Heinle, 2001.
9. Vistas-Introducción a la lengua española, 3rd ed.,
Vistas Higher Learning. Boston; Blanco, Donley; 2005.
10. Internet, native speaker guests and presentations,
films, area connections with the Hispanic community.
WEB PAGE: http://www.mwhs.gsgis.k12.va.us
MAJOR TOPICS DISCUSSED:
Vocabulary and grammar topics covered will be based on the content of the
7 main reference texts listed in the previous section labeled TEXTS. All
vocabulary will relate to real-life situations, and the grammar will be
contextual in nature. This type of instruction will benefit the students
in their overall comprehension of the cultural and communicative aspects
and connections to the Spanish language.
FIRST NINE-WEEKS: Vocabulary and grammar review topics
SECOND NINE-WEEKS: Vocabulary and grammar review topics
Community outreach and connections--St. Andrew's School
THIRD NINE-WEEKS: Student-generated topics
Community outreach and connections--St. Andrew's School
FOURTH NINE-WEEKS: Student-generated topics
Group oral presentations and year-end performances
GRADING FORMAT/ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION PROCEDURES:
50% TESTS – (Minimum of 2 major oral and written assessments/major
projects and community service assignments)
25% ORAL PARTICIPATION/PROFICIENCY - (daily participation, recorded
activities, directed response, reactions, minor assessments –
analysis, presentations, debates, etc.)
25% OTHER WRITTEN EXPRESSION - (quizzes, compositions, essays,
listening comprehension, small projects, written work on oral
presentations, homework, etc.)
GSGIS HONORS GRADING SCALE:
100-97 A+
96-93 A
92-88 B+
87-85 B
84-81 C+
80-77 C
76-73 D+
72-70 D
69-0 F
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
All students will follow the MLWGS student handbook and conduct guides.
Mutual respect is of utmost importance, and consequences will be dealt with
accordingly. Tardiness is not tolerated, and make-up work (for excused
absences only) should be completed in a timely manner and on an efficient
basis. Late work is not accepted. The website for the class is updated
weekly, and the students should refer to it on a consistent basis. The
web page is also linked to the school's homepage. Likewise, the teacher can
be contacted by e-mail. Therefore, work should be completed on the assigned
date. Students should not hesitate to seek additional assistance when needed.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Each student should come prepared daily with the necessary items of pencils,
pens and loose paper. Additionally, each student should have a 3-ring
binder/notebook, a good Spanish/English dictionary (the bigger, the better!)
and should consider purchasing a personal cassette voice recorder. This is
certainly an optional resource. Smartphones with the capability to record
your voice are permitted.
TECHNICAL TRANSLATORS:
Using an online translator or App to manipulate text into the Spanish language
– be it a sentence, paragraph or essay – is considered an honor code violation
in this class unless specific permission has been granted otherwise by the
teacher. Online dictionaries such as wordreference.com are permissible, and
many times nowadays more commonly used than dictionaries themselves. In
summary, any suspected violation will be referred to the Honor Council.
--I look forward to a very exciting and rewarding year! Sr. Jenkins
"I have read and understood this syllabus."
Student pledge/signature:_______________________________________________
Parent pledge/signature:________________________________________________
