Message to parents:
Although some of the students in class may already know some Spanish, I will
not accelerate the class. Those who have no prior knowledge may need to work
a little harder during the first few weeks of school as we study the
vocabulary necessary for future success. Even Spanish speakers will need to
practice reading and writing their language correctly. Various types of
activities are utilized to accommodate different learning styles. Students
listen to the teacher speak Spanish but also listen to CDs of native speakers
from all parts of the globe. They view videotaped conversations between
native speakers at the beginning of each new chapter. Students will practice
the pronunciation of the language aloud. They will also read and write in
Spanish. It takes many meaningful repetitions for a student to remember new
information and some students may require more then others. Flash cards,
typing, and drilling orally at home are good study techniques. When students
write in Spanish, they should be prepared to spell and use accents
correctly. Students only receive partial credit for vocabulary words missing
accent marks or tildes. Students will be assigned homework every
day. This will require them to spend some time outside of class studying the
Spanish language and reinforcing what they learned at school. If their
homework is complete, they may begin to study for the next quiz. Every week
there should be some type of quiz: vocabulary or grammar. At the conclusion
of each chapter there will be a test which includes a listening component.
As with most subjects, some students will be very adept and others will find
it more of a challenge. Students will take away from the study of Spanish
only as much as they put into it.
Buena suerte,
Sra. Martin