CRITERIA:
Requirements: The class meets two times weekly for a total of 150 minutes, plus one hour weekly of conversation with a Native Speaker instructor. Students are also required to have access to Sakai for online practice. In addition, the student will have to research a variety of subjects through the semester. The student is expected to arrive regularly and prepared to each class. It’s important to arrive on time. More than two absences per semester will affect the final grade.
Preparation/Assignments (10%) Each student will have read the material and do the homework to be covered in class on the due date. The student will work diligently on the book and Canvas. All homework must be submitted online. Late assignments will not be accepted.
Participation/Class work (10%) This means that the student will actively contribute to class individually, in pairs, and group work by asking and by answering questions, it also means that the student will willingly engage in class activities using the target language: Spanish. The level of class participation will be assessed regularly.
Active class participation is a very important component in this class; the following criteria will be used to evaluate class participation:
-A range: very dynamic engagement in all class activities, student is consistently prepared for class sessions, very often begins interaction, participates actively and promotes participation in partnered and group activities, collaborates keenly in the creation of the learning environment. The student speaks with great fluidity and fluency, has excellent range of vocabulary and excellent control of grammatical structures.
-B range: active engagement in all class activities, student is generally prepared for class sessions, often begins interaction, participates actively in partnered and group activities, collaborates in the creation of the learning environment. In general, the student speaks with fluidity and fluency, notices mistakes and correct them, good range of vocabulary and good use of grammatical structures.
-C range: moderate engagement in class activities, student is irregularly prepared for class sessions, seldom begins interaction, participates moderately in partnered and group activities, limited fluidity and fluency. Responds usually limited to homework and drill exercises. The student seldom expresses opinion due to limited grammatical control or limited vocabulary.
-D range: little engagement in class activities, student is seldom prepared for class sessions, never begins interaction, participates little; very limited fluidity and fluency. The student has very limited range of vocabulary and only answers if is asked. The student cannot express opinion and offer advice.
-F range: no visible engagement in class activities, student is usually unprepared for class sessions, doesn’t participate in partnered and group activities; interferes with the creation of the learning environment.
Compositions (10%): The student will write three (3) compositions using the appropriate grammatical, cultural and writing skills and taking in consideration the 5C’s of World Language Education. The professor will provide more information about the assignment in class.
Oral discussions (10%): The student will share his/her opinion about the cultural/literature readings of the class. Students cannot read. The grading process is dual, the student speaking and the students listening and reacting. Be sure to listen carefully and be ready to ask questions or add commentaries. The professor will provide guidelines and detailed instructions. The rubric is in Canvas.
Quizzes (10%): There will be 3 quizzes. All quizzes include: listening comprehension, grammar, a writing sample and culture/literature. Frequent reviewing of material is vital to language acquisition and retention so studying daily will not only improve your grade, it will increase proficiency. No make-ups!
Final Project (5%): The final project will be called “Mi banda Sonora”. The student will have to pick a song (or two) and tell a story related with that song. You will receive more details later in the semester.
Mid-term (15%): The exam is cumulative of the topics covered during the first half of the semester, and includes an oral comprehension section, grammar as well as culture and/or literature.
Native Speakers Sessions (10%): Regular attendance and active oral participation is mandatory. Native speaker’s sessions meet once a week. You are allowed one absence without penalty. Each absence following will lower your grade. SIX ABSENCES WILL EARN YOU A GRADE OF F IN THE COURSE.
Final exam (20%) The final exam is comprehensive and cumulative of all the topics covered in class, and includes an oral and a reading comprehension sections, grammar, culture and/or literature. The final exam is during final exam week; don’t make travel arrangements before you know the final exams schedule.
Grades will be based on the following scale:
Excellent work A 100-94 A- 93-90
Above average work B+ 89-87 B 86-84 B- 83-80
Average work C+ 79-77 C 76-74 C- 73-70
Below average work D+ 69-67 D 66-64 D- 63-60
Failure F 59-