SEF-LAN7401 - Beginning Spanish
Course Description
This course is designed for students with little or no exposure to the Spanish language, or those who have not studied Spanish in many years. Students will be introduced to fundamental vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, and speaking skills, as well as cultural traits that will allow them to communicate through written and oral exercises.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS – Students are expected to:
- Participate in class
- Complete all assignments
- Work on individual and/or group assignments as instructed
- Attend a minimum of 8 2-hour classes
Course Outline
Week 1 – 2
Complete Spanish Preliminary Lessons xv, xx, xx
I. Greetings and farewells
II. Alphabet and pronunciation
Week 2 – 3
Complete Spanish Lesson 1 and Basic Spanish Lessons 1 and 2
I. Number and gender of nouns
II. Definite articles
III. Indefinite articles
Week 4 - 5
Complete Spanish Lessons 1 and 2 and Basic Spanish Lesson 9 and 10
I. Forms and positions of adjectives
II. Colors used as adjectives
III. Expressing “I like” using Me gusta
Week 6 - 9
Complete Spanish Lesson 2 and Basic Spanish lesson 4 (Uses of hay) if desired
I. Subject pronouns
II. Present Indicative of estar
III. Uses of estar
IV. Adjectives used with estar
V. Present Indicative of ser
VI. Uses of ser and hay (beginning of Complete Spanish lesson 2 and Basic Spanish lesson 4)
VII. Estar contrasted with ser
VIII. Reading comprehension: La casa
Week 10 - 12
Complete Spanish Lessons 3 and 4
I. Interrogative words
II. Cardinal numbers
a. phone numbers and money
III. Days, months, dates, and seasons
a. birthdays/dates of birth
IV. Telling time
V. Reading comprehension: El cine, el restaurante
Week 13 - 15
Complete Spanish Lesson 5 and Basic Spanish Lessons 5, 6, 7, 8, 11
I. Present Indicative of ar verbs (preliminary overview)
II. Present Indicative of er verbs (preliminary overview)
III. Present Indicative of ir verbs (preliminary overview)
NOTE: A preliminary introduction of the main verb categories will be given. More specific information and
- practice will be provided in Spanish 2.
Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:- Demonstrate knowledge of syntax of language, including: verb conjugation of estar, ser, and
gustar; number and gender of nouns; the uses and placement of articles and basic adjectives;
interrogative words; cardinal and ordinal numbers; days, months, dates; and telling time. - Express basic thoughts in the present tense using greetings and farewells, describing nouns with
adjectives, the verbs estar, ser, and gustar, and demonstrate basic conversational skills in these
areas. - Demonstrate correct pronunciation, even of unfamiliar works in Spanish.
- Express an understanding of some cultural characteristics of Spanish-speaking countries.
Notes
Course Materials
TEXTBOOK
Complete Spanish Step-By-Step, by Barbara Bregstein, ISBN 978-259-64341-5
SUPPLEMENTAL WORKBOOK
Basic Spanish, by Dorothy Richmond, ISBN 978-0-07-184821-0
WEBSITE FOR ONLINE AUDIO/FLASHCARD PRACTICE (Both books):
https://mhe-language-lab.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html