Spanish 1010: Beginning Spanish I
Southern Utah University | Department of Languages and Philosophy | Fall 2015
Class meetings
Section 5: MTWR, 3-3:50 p.m. (GC 106)
Section 6: MTWR, 4-4:50 p.m. (GC 106)
Instructor
Dr. Iliana Portaro
Assistant Professor of Spanish
ilianaportaro@suu.edu
Office: GC 009D
Office Hours: Mondays 2-3 p.m., Tuesdays 12-1 p.m., Thursdays 10-1 p.m.
The fastest and most efficient way to contact me is via email or visiting me during office hours. Please do not send me
messages through Canvas. Also, don’t expect timely responses to emails sent after 5pm or on weekends.
Course Description & Methodology
¡Bienvenidos a español 1010! This is a beginning course designed for students with little or no Spanish experience. The
course will emphasize the development of ​
basic conversation skills. We will work on the five major skill areas of language
learning: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and culture.
Since this is college-level language course; expect to move quickly through the material. Completion of homework
assignments and additional daily practice outside of class are crucial to learn the language and succeed in this course. I
expect you to purchase the required materials and do homework daily. During class, you should listen, engage in
discussions, take notes, and make an effort to communicate in Spanish. You may have to step out of your comfort zone
and take a few risks. Be patient with yourself and others. Learning a language is challenging.
The goal of in-class activities is basic communicative competence. Perfection is not expected. Instead, preparation and
regular, good study habits are the key to success. You can expect about 95-100% of class time to be in Spanish. This class is
hands-on and student centered. You will interact daily with a partner or in a group. In order to make the most out of this
approach, you need to do your homework and study thoroughly before coming to class. The focus of class time will be to
practice Spanish and use the language in context. I strongly encourage you to form study groups, visit the language tutors
regularly, and/or visit me during office hours.
Any student who has taken Spanish courses prior to coming to SUU as well as students, who have any experience with the
language, should take the free placement test offered by the Department of Languages and Philosophy. ​
For placement test
information, stop by the department office (GC 108) or contact our administrative assistant (Lana Smith, 435-586-7835,
smithla@suu.edu​
). ​
If you place into a higher-level course and you complete it with a B or better, you can buy the credits for
the courses you skipped over (each course costs $24 or $6/credit).
This course can be used to fulfill both GE (Humanities Knowledge Area) and Spanish major/minor requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end this course, successful students will be able to:
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Spanish 1010 (Portaro, Fall 2015)
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Use Spanish to greet others and introduce themselves.
Describe things, narrate basic events, and discuss their likes, dislikes, and daily habits in the present tense, in
Spanish.
Produce and comprehend Spanish speech and text that uses basic terms to discuss and compare: school; schedules,
calendars and seasons; the city; clothing and shopping; family and pets, physical traits of people, and food.
Gain a very basic understanding of Hispanic cultures and demonstrate an awareness of some of their customs,
geography, and of the differences and commonalities between traditions and dialects.
In addition, we will focus on acquiring the following areas from SUU Essential Learning Outcomes and by the end of this
course, successful students will:
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Gain knowledge of human cultures.
Gain intellectual and practical skills, particularly in written and oral communication.
Gain digital literacy skills as students strategically and responsibly employ appropriate technologies to explore,
create, collaborate, and organize in a digital context.
Benefits of Studying Spanish
Spanish is spoken not only in Spain, the Caribbean, and most of Latin America; it is also the second most used language in
the United States. In the United States, over 50 million people speak Spanish as a first or second language. This makes the
U.S. the second largest Spanish-speaking country in the world after Mexico. Spanish is the official language of 20 countries
(plus Puerto Rico) and there are more than 500 million Spanish speakers (first or second language) worldwide. As you
embark on your language studies, keep in mind the following benefits:
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Learning a language is not just about vocabulary and grammar. You will graduate into an increasingly
interconnected world that needs individuals that understand other languages and cultures. More than ever before,
language knowledge and cross-cultural understanding are essential skills to participate effectively and successfully in
the world we share and the globalized market place.
Learning another language not only provides you with the opportunity to explore and appreciate other cultures, but
it also helps you fully understand your own. It allows you to evaluate your own ways of thinking and viewing the
world.
Learning a language improves your intellectual development. You are able to better negotiate meaning, recognize,
and communicate in different language systems. There is a positive impact on problem-solving and multi-tasking
skills. You can also improve your memory and your first language skills. You will become better aware of how a
language works and how it is structured. Language learners become effective communicators, sharper writers, and
develop better listening skills.
Knowing other languages is a skill you can use in any career. It enhances your career opportunities since many
employers prefer to hire bilingual employees. Many of our students are double majors. Ask your language
professors how to incorporate a language into your areas of study.
Course Materials
Required:
​
● Tu mundo: español sin fronteras ​
(Andrade, et al.), McGraw Hill, 1st​
edition (2014)
● Ábrete paso ​
and ​
El misterio del circo ambulante​
(2015) (These are part of a packet available only in the SUU
Bookstore)
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Spanish 1010 (Portaro, Fall 2015)
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Access to an audio or video recording device
Access to ​
Canvas ​
and tutoring schedule: ​
www.suu.edu/hss/languages/tutors/html
A good and portable bilingual dictionary of your choice. Recommendations:
o
o
The New World Spanish/English, English/Spanish Dictionary​
(Ramondino, ed.) (any edition)
WordReference: ​
www.wordreference.com
Recommended:
● Access to additional study-materials: ​
www.mhhe.com/tumundo
● 501 Spanish Verbs ​
(any edition)
A note on textbooks: ​
If you purchase a used textbook/workbook, make sure it’s not an instructor’s edition. The use of
this copy is not permitted. Also check that your textbooks (particularly workbooks) are not fully marked with someone
else’s answers.
Assignments
20%
20%
15%
10%
10%
10%
10%
5%
Daily Homework
Chapter Exams / Compositions
Recordings
Quizzes
Final Interview
In-Class Participation
Final Digital Portfolio
Engagement Activities
Grade Breakdown:
A
AB+
B
B-
94-100%
90-93%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
C+
C
CD+
D
77-79%
73-76%
70-72%
67-69%
63-66%
DF
60-62%
Below 60%
Policies & Expectations
Daily homework
● I use a Pass / Fail grading system. Assignments will be graded with the following marks: ​
✓​
+ (excellent), ​
✓ (good
work), ​
✓​
- (needs improvement). Incomplete and/or late work will not be accepted and will be returned ungraded.
● Don’t place assignments underneath my office door or in my mailbox. Assignments submitted electronically will
also not be considered on time. If you plan to be absent, your work must be turned in personally beforehand.
● It is your responsibility to keep track of assignments.
Exams, compositions, and quizzes
● There are ​
NO make-ups and no extra time will be given if you are late to class. Make arrangements in advance if
you know you will be absent.
● Exams and quizzes will include a mixture of listening, speaking, reading, and/or writing. You will be informed of
the format of each exam ahead of time.
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Spanish 1010 (Portaro, Fall 2015)
Recordings
● Throughout the semester you will be given short assignments to be recorded (audio or video format) and be
submitted via email/Google Drive. The goal of these recordings is to practice your verbal skills in Spanish, get over
any fears of speaking or making mistakes, and use the language in a creative way that relates to your own life.
Final Interview
● The final interview will take place in my office on ​
Tuesday, December 8th
​​
, 3-4:50 p.m (Section 5) and
Wednesday, December 9th
​​3-4:50 p.m.​
(Section 6).
​
● The interview topics are cumulative and a study-guide will be given in class a few weeks before they take place
Engagement Activities
● You are expected to attend a minimum of ​
3 events per semester to practice the language outside of the classroom.
Your choices are the Spanish Conversation Tables and/or Tutoring (GC 104). Other possible campus events will
be announced in class throughout the semester. The schedule for the tables and tutoring is available at:
www.suu.edu/hss/languages/hours.html
In-Class Participation & Attendance
● Attendance ​
is taken daily. It is your responsibility to attend class and keep track of your absences. It is also
important to be on time. Coming in late will count as part of an absence.
● During the semester, you may miss ​
3 classes (no explanations needed). After the third absence, one percentage
point will be deducted from your final grade.
● Attendance and punctuality are essential to your success in this course. ​
All students are expected to attend class and
arrive on time​
. Absence from class will affect your grade, as will tardiness, early departures, and regularly entering
and leaving the room while class is in session. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed
in class. Assume that everything you missed is important.
● Participation grades ​
are based on your attitude, effort, and quality of participation in class. Sleeping, texting,
tardiness, and frequent absences will affect your grade. This class also requires interaction with your peers. I expect
you to actively work with your partners and/or groups daily.
● I realize that unexpected things happen and/or life becomes overwhelming. If you are having any kind of problems
that are affecting your success in this class, talk to me before the end of the semester.
Final Digital Portfolio
● At the end of the semester, you will select 5 graded assignments that reflect your best work of the semester. These
samples should be error-free and include a combination of written work and audio recordings. The portfolio
should be organized, visually engaging, and easy to navigate. It should include an “About Me” page and your
selected works. You may choose to host your portfolio on a website builder of your choice. A few suggestions
(some are free): WordPress, Weebly, SquareSpace, and Canvas e-portfolios.
Technology
● Cell Phones, headphones, and other electronic devices are not allowed in the classroom unless I know why you are
using them. Be courteous and limit your technology use to relevant materials that will enhance your learning
experience.
Plagiarism and Academic Integrity
● Be aware that the use of online translators constitutes as a form of plagiarism in the language classroom as you will
be submitting work that is not your own.
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Spanish 1010 (Portaro, Fall 2015)
Additional Information
●
Academic integrity: Scholastic dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent. You are
expected to have read and understood the current issue of the student handbook (published by Student Services)
regarding student responsibilities and rights, and the intellectual property policy, for information about procedures
and about what constitutes acceptable on-campus behavior. Detailed information can be found at:
http://suu.edu/pub/policies/pdf/PP633Academic.pdf
●
ADA Statement: Students with medical, psychological, learning or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments,
accommodations or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Southern Utah University Coordinator of Services for
Students with Disabilities (SSD), in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or phone (435) 865-8022. SSD
determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.
●
Emergency Management System: In case of emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will
be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of
the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response
Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can
be found at ​
http://www.suu.edu/emergency
●
HEOA Compliance Statement: The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except
as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law. Detailed information can be found at:
http://www.suu.edu/it/p2p-student-notice.html​
.
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Spanish 1010 (Portaro, Fall 2015)
Tentative Calendar
* In-class discussion topics in ​
bold
** ​
Homework assignments to be completed after class in​
italics ​
(due the following day)
Week 1
8/24
Introducción al curso
Tú Mundo:​
Study useful vocabulary (p. 4) and alphabet (p. 5)
​
8/25
Los nombres y los saludos
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 1.1 (p. 20-22), complete ejercicio 1, 2 (p. 22)
​
8/26
The Verb ‘ser’ and Subject Pronouns
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Los cognados” (p. 3-5)
8/27
The Verb ‘ser’ and Subject Pronouns
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 1.2 (p. 23-25), complete ejercicio 3 (p. 25)
​
Week 2
8/31
La ropa y los colores | Gender and Number of Nouns
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Number and Gender” (p. 1, 2)
9/1
La ropa y los colores | Gender and Number of Nouns
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Los adjetivos” (p. 15-17)
9/2
La descripción de las personas | Adjective-Noun Agreement
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 1.3 (p. 25-26), complete ejercicio 4, 5, 6 (p. 26-27)
​
9/3
La descripción de las personas | Adjective-Noun Agreement
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 1.4 (p. 28), complete ejercicio 7, 8 (p. 28-29)
​
Week 3
9/7
Labor Day (No Class)
Print review packet (posted online)
9/8
Review
9/9
Exam 1
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 2.1 (p. 52), complete ejercicio 1, 2 (p. 52-53)
​
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Tú, usted, ustedes” (p. 19-20)
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Spanish 1010 (Portaro, Fall 2015)
9/10
Los cumpleaños y la edad | Expressing Age: the verb ‘tener’
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Los verbos” (p. 7-13)
Week 4
9/14
Los cumpleaños y la edad | Expressing Age: the verb ‘tener’
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 2.2 (p. 53), complete ejercicio 3 (p. 54)
​
9/15
Las cosas en el salón de clase y los mandatos | Expressing location: the verb ‘estar’
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Los verbos II” (p. 21-22) and “Hay: un verbo extraño” (p. 29)
Las cosas en el salón de clase y los mandatos | Expressing location: the verb ‘estar’
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 2.3, complete ejercicio 4, 5 (p. 55)
​
9/16
9/17
El cuerpo humano | Forms and Placement of Adjectives
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 2.4 (p. 55-56), complete ejercicio 6 (p. 56)
​
Week 5
9/21
Nacionalidades | Origin: ‘ser de’
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Los verbos irregulares, ser, estar y tener” (p. 23-26)
Print review packet (posted online)
9/22
Review
9/23
Exam 2 | Recording 1 Due
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 3.1 (p. 85-86), complete ejercicio 1, 2 (p. 86-87)
​
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Más cognados” (p. 27-28)
9/24
Las actividades favoritas | Using ‘gustar’ to express likes and dislikes ​
| Engagement Activity 1 Due
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Otro verbo extraño: gustar” (p. 33-37)
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Gustar con infinitivos” (p. 49-50)
Week 6
9/28
Las actividades favoritas | Using ‘gustar’ to express likes and dislikes
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 3.2 (p. 87-89), complete ejercicio 3, 4, 5 (p. 89)
​
9/29
La hora
9/30
Las actividades diarias
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 3.3 (p. 90-91), complete ejercicio 6, 7, 8
​
10/1
Present tense of –ar, -er, -ir verbs​
| Pre-Reading, ​
​
El misterio del circo ambulante​
(EMCA)
EMCA: ​
Read Capítulo 1 and answer comprehension questions (p. 1)
Week 7
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Spanish 1010 (Portaro, Fall 2015)
10/5
Present tense of –ar, -er, -ir verbs​
|​
Discussion of EMCA (1)
10/6
Las estaciones y el tiempo
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 3.4 (p. 92-93), complete ejercicio 9, 10 (p. 93-94)
​
10/7
Las estaciones y el tiempo | Demonstratives
EMCA:​
Read Capítulo 2 and answer comprehension questions (p. 3-4)
10/8
Discussion of EMCA (2)
Print review packet (posted online)
Week 8
10/12 Review
10/13 Exam 3
| Recording 2 Due
Read section 4.1 (p. 118-119), complete ejercicio 1, 2, 3, 4 (p. 119-120)
10/14 En familia | Possession: ‘tener’, ‘ser de’, and possessive adjectives
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Los adjetivos posesivos” (p. 39-41)
10/15 En familia | Possession: ‘tener’, ‘ser de’, and possessive adjectives
Week 9
10/19 Fall Break​
(No Class)
​
10/20 Fall Break (No Class)
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 4.2, complete ejercicio 5, 6 (p. 121-122)
​
10/21 Las preferencias y los deseos | The verbs ‘preferir’ and ‘querer’ + infinitive
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Deseos y querer” (p. 43-44)
10/22 Las preferencias y los deseos | The verbs ‘preferir’ and ‘querer’ + infinitive
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 4.3 (p. 122-124), complete ejercicio 7, 8, 9 (p. 124)
​
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Preguntas de sí/no” (p. 31)
Week 10
10/26 Datos personales | Question Formation
10/27 Datos personales | Question Formation
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 4.4 (p. 125-126), complete ejercicio 10, 11, 12 (p. 126-127)
​
10/28 Los planes | Making plans: ‘pensar’, ‘tener ganas de’, and ‘ir a’
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Para expresar necesidades: el verbo necesitar” (p. 45-47)
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Spanish 1010 (Portaro, Fall 2015)
10/29 Los planes | Making plans: ‘pensar’, ‘tener ganas de’, and ‘ir a’ ​
| Engagement Activity 2 Due
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Otro verbo irregular importante: ir” (p. 51-53)
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “El infinitive en otra estructura útil: tener que” (p. 55-57)
Print review packet (posted online)
Week 11
11/2
Review
11/3
Exam 4 | Recording 3 Due
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 5.1 (p. 152-154), complete ejercicio 1, 2, 3 (p. 154-155)
​
11/4
La rutina | Present tense of reflexive verbs
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Los verbos reflexivos” (p. 65-71)
11/5
La rutina | Present tense of reflexive verbs
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 5.2 (p. 156), complete ejercicio 4, 5 (p. 157)
​
Week 12
11/9
Verbs with stem vowel changes (ie, ue) in the present tense
Ábrete paso: Complete reading and exercises, “Más verbos irregulares: los verbos de bota” (p. 59-63)
11/10 Verbs with stem vowel changes (ie, ue) in the present tense
EMCA: ​
Read Capítulo 3 and answer comprehension questions (p. 5-8)
11/11 Discussion of EMCA (3)
11/12 Las tres comidas
Week 13
11/16 Las tres comidas
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 5.3 (p. 158), complete ejercicio 6, 7 (p. 158-159)
​
11/17 Los días feriados | Impersonal Direct Object Pronouns
11/18 Los días feriados | Impersonal Direct Object Pronouns
EMCA: ​
Read Capítulo 4 and answer comprehension questions (p. 9-11)
11/19 Discussion of EMCA (4)
Tú Mundo:​
Read section 5.4 (p. 159-160), complete ejercicio 8 (p. 160)
​
Week 14
11/23 Los estados físicos y anímicos​
|​
Irregular verbs
Work on final digital portfolios
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Spanish 1010 (Portaro, Fall 2015)
11/24 Los estados físicos y anímicos​
|​
Irregular verbs
Work on final digital portfolios
11/25 Thanksgiving Break (No Class)
11/26 Thanksgiving Break​
(No Class)
​
Week 15
11/30 Los estados físicos y anímicos​
|​
Irregular verbs
EMCA:​
Read Capítulo 5 and answer comprehension questions (p. 13-16)
12/1
Discussion of EMCA (5) | Practice for final interviews
Print review packet (posted online)
12/2
Review | Practice for final interviews
12/3
Exam 5 | Recording 4 Due
12/8
Final Exam (Section 5), 3-4:50 p.m. | Digital Portfolios Due | Engagement Activity 3 Due
12/9
Final Exam (Section 6), 3-4:50 p.m. | Digital Portfolios Due | Engagement Activity 3 Due
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