Texas State Technical College

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE 

SPAN-1311 Beginning Spanish I

COURSE (CATALOG) DESCRIPTION 

This course focuses on the listening, comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Spanish; included in this is the basic vocabulary, grammatical structures and culture.

REQUIRED TEXT AND MATERIALS

If you have a documented disability which will make it difficult for you to carry out the work as the instructor has outlined and/or if you need special accommodations due to a disability, please contact (956) 364-4520 or visit Support Services Office located in the Auxiliary Building as soon as possible to make appropriate arrangements.

                                    ¡BIENVENIDO A LA CLASE DE ESPANOL!

Learning a second language is not an overwhelming task, and we hope that our approach, together with out choice of textbook and manual, will make your experience with Spanish meaningful and enjoyable. 

This course is an introduction to the Spanish language. It is designed to help you begin to communicate and interact with others in Spanish language as naturally and spontaneously as possible. It goals are: (1) to expose the student to the target language, (2) to prepare the student to communicate in survival situations, and (3) to emphasize communication rather than explanation.

1. Only absences of an extreme or catastrophic nature/emergency may be excused and must be corroborated in writing by an appropriate authority (doctor, hospital, judge, etc); merely phoning in does not excuse an absence. Students must file a withdrawal form with the Admissions Office to be withdrawn from the course. It is the responsibility of the student to drop the course prior to the last date for withdrawal without incurring an “F” grade. The withdrawal process will not be initiated by the instructor. 

2. Class participation, not merely occupying classroom space, determines attendance. Absences are counted from the first day of class; late registrations does not constitute excused absence. Students must participate in at least 85% of class work (as determined by lecture/lab quizzes, test, in-class exercise, discussions, etc.) and score within the designated passing rage to satisfactorily complete the course. Students will receive and “F” for the course if the instructor ascertains the 85% participation requirement has not been met. 

EXAMINATIONS

Spanish 1311 covers Chapters 1-9. Vocabulary or grammar quizzes and/or dictation will be given through every chapter. All exams, including the final, will be equally weighted.

If you cannot take an exam as scheduled, you must make other arrangements in advance. The instructor must be contacted promptly in person and must be convinced that the absence was absolutely unavoidable. (Only cases of an extreme or catastrophic nature are excused and must be corroborated in writing by an appropriate authority- doctor, hospital, judge, etc.)

NOTE: All excused make-up exams will have -10 points taken off of the total score. (i.e. if you score 80 points and it’s a make up, then the final grade for that exam will be 70 points.) NO MAKE-UPS FOR THE FINAL EXAM.

HOMEWORK/IN-CLASS WORK:

ORAL PRESENTATION/PARTICIPATION:        (IN SPANISH) 

            No cell phones!

NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to delete, change, or otherwise modify course description.