¡Bienvenidos a la clase de Español 2!

¡Hola! Mi nombre es Alejandro Fleites. I want to thank you for choosing me to guide you through the marvels of learning Spanish, my native language. I will share with you my own experiences as both a native of a Spanish-speaking country and as a student of foreign languages.

You are lucky to already be fluent in one of the most important languages in the world, but if you want to get on in today’s modern world, it pays to learn at least one more language. An obvious choice is Spanish, the second language in the world by first-language speakers (Living Tongues Institute, UNESCO) and the official language of 21 countries.

Course Description

This is an elective full-year course for students who successfully completed Level 1 and plan to study two or more years of a foreign language, as required by most colleges. In Spanish 2, students will not only review and apply what was studied in Level 1, but will learn how to express themselves in the past tense. Students will also continue to explore the geography and culture of various countries and regions where Spanish is spoken.

We will be targeting and assessing the following Foreign Language Power Standards:

PS 1Conversation

1.1 Asking and answering questions in tenses appropriate for the level of the course.

1.2 Express feelings and opinions in conversation in tenses appropriate for the level of the course.

PS 2Interpersonal Literacy

2.1 Ask and answer questions through literacy in tenses appropriate for the level of the course.

2.2 Express feelings and opinions through literacy in tenses appropriate for the level of the course.

PS 3Interpretive Listening

3.1 Interpret phrases, questions, and expressions about self and others in tenses appropriate for the level of the course.

3.2 Interpret speech about familiar surroundings.

3.3 Identify the main idea and/or supporting details as appropriate for the level of the course.

PS 4 Interpretive Reading

4.1 Using cognates, interpret written language.

4.2 Recognize written target vocabulary in tenses appropriate for the level of the course.

4.3 Understand and identify main idea and supportive details.

PS 5 Presentational Speaking

5.1 Present information, concepts, and ideas to an audience of listeners on a variety of topics at a level appropriate for the course.

PS 6 Presentational Writing

6.1 Follow grammar conventions in the target language at a level appropriate for the course.

6.2 Descriptions to present information, concepts and ideas in tenses appropriate for the level of the course.

6.3 Write in paragraph form simple stories and/or letters using target vocabulary and grammar appropriate for the level of the course.

PS 7Cultures

7.1 Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between cultural practices/products and perspectives of the cultures studied.

PS 8Connections

8.1 Reinforce and further knowledge of other disciplines through the world language.

8.2 Acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the world language and its cultures.

PS 9Comparisons

9.1 Demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.

9.2 Demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.

PS 10Communities

10.1 Use the language both within and beyond the school setting.

Text book: ¡Aventura! EMC Español 2Publisher: EMC Publishing

Additional recommended book: Barron's 501 Spanish Verbs. The most important and most commonly used Spanish verbs are presented alphabetically in chart form, one verb per page, and conjugated in all persons and tenses, both active and passive.

Aventura Online Resources: Most of the Aventura components are available to students to access from any computer by selecting the corresponding level (in this case 2) at the following website:

Here you can access the Workbook, Grammar and Vocabulary exercises, Listening activities, videos, etc.

Other recommended websites used frequently in class:

BBC Mundo (Spanish for BBC World) is part of the BBC World Service's foreign language output. Breaking news, sport, TV, radio and a whole lot more.

Rules and Policies:

All of the Bremerton High School general rules and policies detailed in the Student Handbook apply to this class. Specific Spanish class requirements will be outlined throughout the first quarter or as situations arise. The importance of daily attendance cannot be exaggerated. A major goal of the course is spontaneous oral communication, which depends on daily exposure to the language and daily practice. Work in class will very often go beyond the textbook, so that missing class will mean missing important information and interaction. In the event of an absence it is the student’s responsibility to find out what was missed and to arrange with the teacher to make up a missed quiz or test.

Grading:

Bremerton School District has implemented a grading policy whereonly assignments identified as “summative” will be used as evidence of achievement, but students and parents should understand that practice and preparation are designed to increase learning and help in the achievement of educational standards.

There will be several quizzes and/or a written testfor each of the 5 or 6 chapters covered in the year. There will also be a final written and/or oral test at the end of each semester. Oral daily participation and presentations of projects are also used for evaluation purposes.

I am available for one on one or small group tutoring, test retakes, etc. by appointment from 2:15p.m. to 3:00p.m. in room 248 at BHS.E-mail is a good way of communicating with me (see address at the bottom), but feel free to talk to me at any time and I’ll try to accommodate my schedule to your needs whenever possible.

Let’s enjoy the adventure! ¡Disfrutemos la aventura!

Español 2 Señor Fleites – BHS Room 248