Class Description

The course builds upon that which was learned in Spanish I with addition of new vocabulary and greater emphasis on grammar and structure of the language. There is opportunity for reading and discussion of Spanish ways in the form of interesting stories and dialogues about real situations in modern Spanish life. Use of tapes, films and educational games are part of the means for accomplishing the objectives.

Class Expectations

In the second year of Spanish, students will be challenged to speak and understand Spanish as well as read and write. The focus will be on communicating in Spanish the vocabulary and grammar learned in class. There will be a lot of memorization of vocabulary that will be recycled over and over again as the class progresses.  By the end of the year over 75% of class instruction will be in Spanish.

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

* Chapter Tests: 35%
* Vocabulary quizzes: 30%
* Daily assignments: 20%
* Class participation: 15%

First nine week period = 40% of final grade.

Second nine week period = 40% of final grade.

Semester exam = 20% of semester grade.

All assignments, quizzes and tests will posted on the Internet.

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

These are the items which will be covered in Spanish II. The VEN CONMIGO Spanish series does a great job of recycling both the vocabulary and grammar through out the book.

Semester 1

Chapters 1 & 2, Come with me to Andalucía, Spain!

1. Alphabet - letters and sounds
2. Rules of pronunciation.
3. Division of syllables
4. Ser - Description
5. Adjective Agreement
6. Nationalities
7. Present Tense of regular verbs (Ar,Er,Ir)
8. Gustar
9. Indirect Object Pronouns
10. Estar
11. Past tense preterite - Regular, Irregular and special meaning verbs.
12. Stem changers like Querer & Poder
13. Weather expressions

Chapters 3 & 4, Come with me to the valley of Mexico!

1. Reflexive verbs and pronouns - daily routine
2. Adverbs
3. Direct object pronouns
4. How to complain
5. Hobbies and pastimes
6. Hace + amount of time + que + present tense
7. Asking for and giving opinions.
8. Giving advice
9. Making comparisons
10. Conocer
11. Making plans

Chapters 5, Come with me to Texas!

1. Talking about staying fit and healthy
2. Continued use of Past tense preterite verbs
3. Regular and irregular informal tú commands.
4. Giving explanations
5. Preterite of Poder
6. Reflexive verbs in the past tense.
7. Parts of the body.

Semester 2

Chapter 6, Come with me to Texas!

1. Asking for and giving information
2. Relating a series of events
3. Ordering in a restaurant.
4. Saber vs Conocer
5. Past tense preterite of pedir, servir & traer.

Chapters 7 & 8, Come with me to the Caribean!

1. Talking about what you used to do; saying what you used to like and dislike.
2. The imperfect tense (-ar,er,ir)
3. Describing what people and things were like.
4. Irregular verbs in the imperfect tense
5. Haber
6. Using comparisons to describe people.
7. Comparison of equality
8. Describing a past event
9. -ísmo
10. Superlatives
11. Saying why you couldn't do something.
12. Prepositions and mientras
13. Reporting what someone said.
14. Decir in preterite
15. Running errands

Chapters 9 & 10, Come with me to the Andes!

1. Asking for and giving directions
2. Formal commands (singular and plural)
3. Asking for help in a store; talking about how clothes look and fit.
4. Bargaining in a market.
5. Setting the scene for a story.
6. Preterite and imperfect contrasted.
7. Continuing and ending a story
8. Preterite and imperfect to tell a story.
9. Talking about the latest news; reacting to news.
10. Preterite of Tener

In addition to all the grammar and vocabulary we will be discussing cultural issues contained in each chapter.