HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM – NORTHWEST COLLEGE
World Languages
SPANISH 1411 BEGINNING SPANISH I
Katy Campus
Rm. 221 M- W 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm.
CRN # 0043 (73266)
Purchase ONLY the Houston Community College 1411 bundle at any HCC bookstore. All
Students must have materials by the second class. Books may not be photocopied.
Bring your textbook and Supplementary Materials, Workbook & Laboratory Manual to class.
Credit Hours:
4 credits (3 lecture, 2 lab)
Total Course Hours:
80 hours per semester
Course Length:
16 weeks
PROFESSOR: Daniela Marin
Email: daniela.marin@hccs.edu.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Fundamental skills in listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. The class
includes basic vocabulary, grammatical structures, and culture. This is a first semester beginning
Spanish course that qualifies and transfers as the first freshman level Spanish requirement at all
major Texas universities. Even though I will be using English at times, I will be speaking Spanish
more and more as the semester progresses in order to provide students the opportunity to
listen to and practice Spanish. You, the student, are expected to do the assignments given for
classes and come prepared for class so that you can participate in all class activities. You shall
strive to use Spanish in class as much as possible. This course is part of the oral component of
the Global Studies Program.
PREREQUISITES:
Must be placed into GUST 0342 (or higher) in reading and ENGL 0310/0349 (or higher) in
writing.
COURSE GOAL:
Introduction to the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. Develop of basic skills in listening
comprehension, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural awareness. Course includes vocabulary
building, conversation and grammar. Transfer as foreign language credit. Core Curriculum
Course.
4. PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES.
The student will:
1. Speak clearly and fluently enough for a target-language speaker to understand and interpret
intent without difficulty.
2. Comprehend the main points of standard discourse and authentic material in target language
spoken at near-native speed.
3. Write simple descriptions and narrations of paragraph length on everyday events and
situations in different time frames.
4. Read with understanding authentic written material in the target language on a variety of
topics related to daily life in the target-language world.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of and sensitivity to characteristic perspectives, practices and
products that reflect the culture of the target language.
5. STUDENTS LEARNING OUTCOMES
The student will:
1. Communicate orally in the target language about familiar topics and activities requiring a
simple and direct exchange of information.
2. Comprehend spoken words and phrases in the target language related to self, family and
immediate surroundings, with allowance for repetition and re-phrasing.
3. Create simple notes, messages and paragraphs related to self, family and immediate
surroundings.
4. Comprehend a short passage in the target language on a topic of everyday life using
appropriate target vocabulary.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of specific aspects of target-language culture and gain insights into
how language and culture reflect values, belief systems, and behavior.
6. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
TRUE BEGINNERS OF SPANISH NEED TO PLAN ON AN AVERAGE OF 4 HOURS PER WEEK OR
MORE STUDY TIME TO KEEP UP WITH THE PACE OF THE CLASS.
Your professor reserves the right to make changes to the following lesson plan.
PUNTOS DE PARTIDA
SPANISH 1411
LESSION PLAN
WEEK 1.
Aug 24 :
Introduction to course syllabus.
The Spanish alphabet.
Pronunciation: The vowels. Cognates; describing self and others.
Aug 26 :
Classwork with Student Supplement 1-3.
The verb SER. Cultural Note: Spanish around de world.
WEEK 2.
Aug 31:
Part II. Numbers 0-30. The verb HABER. Hay
Workbook 1-5. (At home).
Sept 2:
Expressing likes and preferences. Telling time.
Classwork with Student Supplement 4-5.
Laboratory practice. Cultural note. The Hispanic world.
Workbook 6-10 (at home)
WEEK 3.
Sept 9 :
A.EXAM: 1 Ante Todo. RETURN WORKBOOK.
B. Chapter 2 : University life, Vocabulary: and the classroom
Academic subjects. Interrogative words (part 1)
Classwork with Student Supplement. Listening comprehension 8
Workbook 11- 14 (at home).
WEEK 4.
Sept 14:
Pronunciation: Diphthongs and linking words. Identifying people,
places, things and ideas. Nouns and articles. Gender and number.
Classwork with Student Supplement 9.
Workbook 15-16 (( at home).
Sept 16:
Expressing action: Subject pronouns. Present tense of - AR verbs.
Getting information: Interrogative words. Negation: Asking
yes/no questions. The verb ESTAR. Expressing time day. Linking
words. Laboratory practice. Cultural note.
Classwork with Student Supplement 10.
Workbook 17 (3) - 21 (B) (at home).
WEEK 5.
WEEK 6.
Sept 21:
EXAM: Chapter 2. RETURN WORKBOOK.
Sept 23:
Chapter 3. The family. Vocabulary: Identifying family members,
relatives, and pets. Numbers 31-100. Expressing age.
Sept 28:
Classwork with Student Supplement Listening Comprehension 21.
Classwork with Student Supplement 23.
.
Pronunciation: Word stress a written accent marks.
Workbook 25-28 (D) (at home).
Sept 30:
Describing: Present tense of SER; summary of uses. Adjectives:
Gender, number and position.
Classwork with Student Supplement 23-25.
Workbook 29-32 (at home).
WEEK 7.
Oct5 :
Expressing possession: Possessive adjectives (unstressed).
Expressing actions: Present tense of ER – IR verbs. Subject
pronouns. Telling how frequently one does things.
Laboratory practice. Cultural note.
Classwork with Student Supplement 26- 30.
Workbook 33-35 (D) (at home).
WEEK 8.
Oct 7:
EXAM: Chapter 3. RETURN WORBOOK.
Oct 9:
CHAPTER 4: Shopping. Articles of clothing. Vocabulary: More
about getting information. Asking prices. Colors. Numbers beyond
100.
Classwork with Student Supplement Listening comprehension 38.
Workbook 41-43 (B) ( at home).
Oct 12:
Pointing out people and thing. Demonstratives adjectives and
pronouns. Pronunciation: Word stress and written accent marks.
Classwork with student Supplement 40-41.
Workbook 43-45 (B) ( at home).
WEEK 9.
Oct 14:
Expressing actions and states . The verbs TENER, VENIR,
PREFERIR, QUERER, and PODER Idioms with TENER.
Classwork with Student Supplement 43-46 (C).
Workbook 45-46 ( at home).
Oct 19:
The verb IR + A + INFINITIVE VERB to express future actions and
destination. The contraction “al”. Using MUCHO and POCO.
Laboratory practice. Cultural note.
Classwork with Student Supplement 46 (C)-47.
Workbook 47-54 (at home).
WEEK 10.
Oct 26:
EXAM: Chapter 4. RETURN WORKBOOK.
Oct 28:
Chapter 5: At home. Vocabulary: days of the week. Rooms, other
parts of the house and furniture. Prepositions.
Workbook 55-58 (at home).
WEEK 11.
Nov 2:
Expressing actions: HACER, OIR, PONER, SALIR, TRAER and VER.
Present tense of stem-changing verbs.
Class work with Student Supplement 55-58.
Workbook 59-61 (at home).
WEEK 12.
Nov4:
Reflexive action: Expressing self and selves. Reflexive verbs and
pronouns.
Nov 9:
Demonstrative adjectives: Sequence expressions.
Laboratory practice: Cultural note.
Classwork with Student Supplement 59 and 62.
Workbook 62- 64 ( E ) ( at home).
WEEK 13.
Nov 11
EXAM: Chapter 5. RETURN WORKBOOK.
Nov16:
Chapter 6: The weather. Vocabulary: the seasons, the months, the
date. More TENER idioms. Prepositional pronouns.
Present progressive: ESTAR = ANDO. The gerund with other
verbs.
Classwork with Student Supplement 73.
Workbook 69 – 74 ( at home).
Nov 18
Summary of the uses of SER and ESTAR. Describing.
Classwork with Student Supplement 75 – 76.
Workbook 75 – 76 ( B ) ( at home).
WEEK 14.
Nov23:
Describing: comparisons. Using “por” after certain adjectives.
Laboratory practice. Cultural note.
Classwork with Student Supplement 77 and 79.
Workbook 76 ( A ) – 78 ( D ) ( at home).
WEEK 15.
WEEK 16
Nov 30:
EXAM : Chapter 6. RETURN WORKBOOK.
Dec 2:
Review for Final Exam.
Dec 7:
Oral Part of Final Exam.
Dec 9 :
FINAL EXAM.
NOTE: THE FINAL EXAM CANNOT BE GIVEN BEFORE THE OFFICIAL EXAM DATE
EATING AND DRINKING IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM.
7. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS
As your professor, I want you to be successful in this class. We will work together to achieve the
levels of proficiency previously stated. I will create activities where you can experience
speaking, listening, and cultural understanding of Spanish. I will rely on your feedback through
exams, quizzes, and speaking activities. All the exams test vocabulary, grammar, reading,
speaking and listening. If you do all assigned work and study prior to taking the exam, you
should do well.
All the aforementioned assessment instruments determine how successful you will be at
achieving the learning outcomes previously outlined. If you find you are not mastering the
language skills, please reflect on your study habits and time management skills and prepare for
each class.
8. STUDENT EVALUATION
The student is expected to do all assignments and tests. Students who fail to turn in an
assignment will receive a grade of 0 for the assignment. Homework and lab assignments must
be complete and on time in order for the students to get full credit for the assignment. Late or
incomplete homework assignments will not be graded until they are completed for 50% of the
grade. All assignments are due the day of the test for the corresponding lessons. Homework
assignments come from the Workbook section of your Puntos de Partida manual. Students will
be evaluated as follows:
*Class Participation (tied to attendance and lab):
15%
Homework:
15%
Chapter tests:
40%
Final Exam:
30%
Total
100%
*Class participation
Class participation is essential in a foreign language class. As mentioned earlier, class
participation is tied to attendance. You will receive a daily participation grade which will be
based on the following: preparation for class, lab manual, bringing books and materials to class,
active class involvement, staying on task, and mature behavior. If you are late for class or leave
early you will receive 50% of the class participation grade.
9. GRADE DISTRIBUTION
100-90: A
89-80: B
79-70: C
69-60: D
59-0: F
10. TEXTBOOKS
Puntos de Partida (9th Edition, 2012). Required.
Textbook website: http://www.puntos.mhcentro.com
Books can be bought at any HCCS bookstore.
11. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing,
etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Disability Services
Office #713-718-5412 at the beginning of each semester. Faculty is authorized to provide only
the accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
12. SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY
Students engaged in any scholastic dishonesty: cheating, plagiarism or collusion, as described
by the Student Handbook may be penalized as specified in the Student Handbook (pp. 28-29).
Please, familiarize yourself with the student handbook.
13. ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students must sign in daily or they will be counted absent. Students are expected to attend
classes every day and will be responsible for materials covered during their absence, as per the
course lesson plan. As per HCCS policies, stated in the Student Handbook, the instructor has full
authority to drop a student after the student has accumulated absences in excess of 10 hours,
including lecture and laboratory time. However, it is the students’ responsibility to drop the
class if they are unable to continue participating or complete the course. Students who arrive
late or leave early will receive only 50% of the class participation grade. There are no excused
absences in college.
Absences will be counted from the first class day of the semester, no matter when the student
registers or first attends.
14. MAKE UP TEST POLICY
Students are responsible for material covered during their absences. Exchanging phone
numbers with one or two other students for times when you miss a single class is a good idea.
Tests and exams must never leave the room. If you take one out of the room you will receive a 0
(zero) and will not be given another test until that test is returned. No computers, texting,
talking, using cell phones, scratch paper or leaving the room while taking a test or exam. If you
miss one chapter test, the final exam will count twice, once for the missed test and one for the
final exam. One test grade will be dropped. You will receive a 0 (zero) for every additional
chapter test that you miss. If you miss the listening or speaking parts of a test, you will receive a
0 (zero) for the missed section-this includes make-up final exams in the Testing Center, since no
speaking is allowed there.
15. REPEATED COURSE FEE
Students who repeat a course for a third or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee
increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities. Please ask your professor /
counselor about opportunities for tutoring / other assistance prior to considering course
withdrawal or if you are not receiving passing grades.
16. CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
The guidelines for student conducts and consequences for their violation are specifically defined
in The Student Handbook "[As] mature, responsible adults, they will voluntarily observe these
rules as a matter of training and habit. Students [will] not interfere with or disrupt the orderly
educational process of the College System." It is expected that the students will demonstrate
both courtesy and cooperation in the classroom. A student who either cannot or will not
extend both courtesy and cooperation may not continue the course.
17. USE OF RECORDING DEVICES IN HCC FACILITIES
Per HCCS Policy, “Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is
prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction,
tutoring, or testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a
reasonable accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for
information regarding reasonable accommodations.”
18. IMPORTANT DATES THIS SEMESTER AND WITHDRAWAL INFORMATION.
Classes begin August, 24 / 2015.
Last day to withdraw online from this course:
Holiday
Instruction ends
Final Exams
NOTE: Faculty members will not be able to give a “W” after (___put a date________). The
student will receive the grade that he/she is making. If a student does not take the final exam
and/or misses other exams, a grade of “0” will be assigned for those exams. If you will drop the
class, you MUST drop it before ( put a date). If you just disappear from your class, you can get
an “F” as your final grade.
19. COURTESY
Ringing cell phones are a major disruption to instruction. Out of respect for your instructor and
fellow classmates, please turn off cell phones and beepers when you enter class. If there is a
very special reason you must have your phone or beeper on, please let me know. Eating is not
allowed in the classroom except for a medical condition. Please notify the instructor and
provide a note from your physician if you need to eat or drink while in class.
20. SCHOOL CLOSING
Please check the local radio and TV stations for information regarding school closing due to
inclement weather
***EGLS3 -- Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is
necessary to improve teaching and learning. During a designated time, you will be asked to
answer a short online survey of research-based questions related to instruction. The
anonymous results of the survey will be made available to our professors and division chairs for
continual improvement of instruction. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community
College System online near the end of the term.