Where to find materials for the assessment portfolio: Speaking and Samples of
writing on literature, culture, and languages
In the following classes students in Spanish Teacher Education can obtain materials or
cite experiences to be used in the assessment portfolio. Although professors in the
Humanities typically use personalized rubrics, these assessments either meet or exceed
ACTFL standards.
The Speaking or Presentational Assessment demonstrate not only your ability to speak in
extended discourse and use a vocabulary particular to literature and/or culture, but it will also
demonstrate your ability to tailor the presentation to the needs of the audience. While the majority
of these presentations may begin as preplanned, they are never read directly from notes.
However, students in this activity are also expected to speak extemporaneously in the question
and answer segment. In regard to topic, these presentational assessments consist of a focused
discussion on a literary or cultural topic, and invariably use multiple time frames.
Literary and/or Cultural Research Paper/Exams demonstrates the ability to interpret a
literary &/or cultural text on a number of levels, beyond the literal comprehension of the text,
analyze it from a number of perspectives, & give a detailed personal interpretation of the text
supported by a rich range of cultural knowledge. Students will also be able to infer the meaning
of unfamiliar words, and interpret the text’s meaning. These papers invariably will identify
common literary and/or cultural themes, literary, artistic and cultural movements, and distinct
genres. These papers will include some plots summaries using appropriate time frames. The
analysis, however, extends far beyond a simplistic plot summary, touching literary and cultural
history, intrinsic meaning, and philosophical and/or psychological implications. Students’ tests
and papers are well-written, have appropriate syntactic complexity, appropriate use of idioms,
paragraph length texts, with a thesis and supporting evidence.
The following is a list of in-class assessments that can be found in courses that students in
Spanish currently take. These assessments may change over time, so be sure to speak
with your professors and consult your course syllabus.
Alstrum: 233 (in-class presentation, 1 literary-research paper, 3 critical-thinking exams),
244 (in-class presentations on Latin American countries, research paper, 2 critical
thinking exams), 325 (1 literary research paper, 2-3 critical thinking exams).
Burningham: 233 (3 literary research papers, 3 critical thinking exams), 243 (12 reading
comprehension quizzes, in-class presentation, 2 cultural research papers, 2 critical
thinking exams), 323 (in-class presentation, 2 literary research papers, 2 critical thinking
exams).
Nance: 233 (research paper, critical thinking exams). In other 200-level courses and 325
(research paper and critical thinking exams). Also, students have in-class presentations,
research papers, and critical thinking exams in all 300-level classes.
Pancrazio 233 (1 literary research paper, 3 critical thinking exams), 244 (22 reading
comprehension quizzes, 1 field experience paper, 2 critical thinking exams, 1 reflection
paper on Latino experience), 325 (1 literary research paper, 3 critical thinking exams).
Professor Pancrazio does not assign in-class presentations, but would be happy to help
students fulfill their requirements.
Pao: Oral presentations in 214 and 324. Also students complete critical thinking exams
and research in upper-division courses.
Sánchez-Naranjo: 215 (in-class presentations, critical thinking exams and papers).
Schmeiser: 215 and 300-level courses (in-class presentations, critical thinking exams and
papers).
Urey: At every level, research paper, in-class presentations, critical thinking exams, short
analyses, etc.). See syllabus for highly detailed explanations of format.