Class Description

This course builds upon Spanish I, II and III. There will be a brief review of all major tenses already learned as well as new tenses and vocabulary that will help students communicate more proficiently. There is a strong emphasis on speaking as well as on polishing up what the students learned previously. Use of film, songs, Spanish literature and other activities will be used to accomplish objectives.

Class Expectations

In Advanced Spanish, students will be challenged to polish up their Spanish by continuing to speak, comprehend, read and to write in Spanish. English is prohibited in class. The focus will be on communicating in Spanish the vocabulary and grammar learned in class as well as what they have learned in the past.

The students' grades in Advanced Spanish will be based on the following structure:

* Chapter Tests: 30%
* Vocabulary quizzes: 20%
* Daily assignments: 25%
* Class participation: 25%

First nine week period = 40% of final grade.

Second nine week period = 40% of final grade.

Semester exam = 20% of semester grade.

The students must do their daily assignments and learn their vocabulary words if they are going to stay current with the class. Spanish is a building-type of discipline and many of the concepts in the first semester repeat themselves in the second semester or are built upon throughout the year. Please encourage students to stay up on the material. It is very difficult to catch up.

Class Outline

A. Vocabulary building -- New vocabulary is introduced through reading books and small group discussion.

B. Grammatical Structures -- We will review many previously learned structures.

1. Review of present tense
2. Review of "gustar" verb
3. Review of agreement
4. Review of direct/indirect object pronouns
5. Reveiw of preterit past tense
6. Review of imperfect past tense
7. Review of future tense
8. Review of present perfect tense
9. Review of commands -- all forms
10. Review of Past perfect tense
11. Review of Conditional tense
12. Review of Present subjunctive
13. Review of Present Perfect subjunctive

14  Imperfect  de subjuntivo

15. Pluscuampecto de subjuntivo

16. Uses of "SE" Impersonal

17. Por/para

18. Idioms

C. Listening Enhancement and Cultural Education

1. "Destinos" -- Students will watch the second half of a video series with native speakers and cultural and historical lessons.
2. Daily speaking/listening in class
3. Reading literature that deal with issues in Hispanic culture
4. Art projects discovering Hispanic art and artists

D. Class projects -- Students will present various projects throughout the year to enhance the learning done in cumulative weeks