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A2 Spanish for Beginners — Instructor-Led for Independent Learners

$97

Fall 2024 registration is now open. Classes begin the week of August 26, 2024. 

14 weeks of Zoom classes and online course materials. Less than $7.00 per class! 

Brand new advanced beginner Spanish language and culture course designed for adult learners. This course is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference. Learners who successfully complete this course will develop an A2 proficiency level, which is the second of six proficiency levels that are internationally recognized. 

It is recommended that learners who enroll in this course have previously taken A1 Spanish for Beginners, or its equivalent elsewhere. 

Participants can earn a certificate of completion if they meet the requirements. 

Description

A2 Spanish for Beginners is an engaging online Spanish language and culture course developed specifically for adult learners. The course is aligned with the A2 beginning proficiency level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This course is designed by Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Modern Languages. 

Each lesson includes the following sections: objectives, language learning tip and weekly challenge, key expressions, grammar in context, cultural exploration, and quiz. Within each section, you will be exposed to listen and repeat vocabulary words recorded by speakers of Spanish from Central & South America, the Caribbean, and Spain. Video activities will help you to increase your listening comprehension while engaging with media including songs and interviews with native speakers. Lastly, a mini podcast in each lesson helps you follow along with Mariana and Eduardo, two adult learners of Spanish, as they discover the language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. 

In the instructor-led course, you will have a weekly synchronous Zoom class (60-minutes) in which you will get the opportunity to practice your Spanish speaking, grammar, and vocabulary skills with your peers. You will also receive weekly emails from your instructor with suggested pacing for moving through the lesson materials. Additionally, you will be able to email your instructor with any questions you may have about the course.

Who should take this course? 

  • Motivated adult learners (aged 18 and up) comfortable with computer technologies and with a desire to learn Spanish.
  • Advanced beginners. You have some knowledge of Spanish and are comfortable with describing the basics of your daily life in Spanish in the present tense. You can engage in short basic conversations in Spanish. 
  • If you have learned some Spanish with apps, you may wish to put it into practice with your peers and instructor in this interactive course. 
  • Advanced beginners wishing to improve their Spanish for work or travel. 

To receive a Certificate of Completion in this course, you will need to score at least 70% on each of the the end of lesson assessments. To be awarded a Certificate with Distinction, you will need to score at least 90% on each of the end of lesson assessments. Attending the weekly course meetings and doing the auto-graded exercises throughout each lesson will help prepare you for success on the end of lesson assessments.The time commitment will typically range from five to seven hours a week.

 

Click here for information on instructor-led language courses


Additional software or materials required:

You will be required to use videoconferencing software, such as Zoom, which you will be able to use for free with the link that your instructor provides you.


Topics covered:

Greetings and introductions, family and friends, likes and dislikes, talking about time, talking about routines, planning your trip, eating habits, at the restaurant, in the workplace, going to the hotel. 

 

Each lesson opens with a language learning tip and (optional) weekly challenge to get you in a learning rhythm and put your Spanish into practice with your peers. Learners can then listen to each individual vocabulary word and practice saying them aloud before watching videos where the vocabulary is used in context. Short grammar explanations are coupled with a variety of exercises before viewing videos and/or readings that put the grammar into context. Throughout the lesson, mini podcasts designed specifically for this course help learners to follow Eduardo and Mariana on their Spanish learning journey. At the end of each lesson, cultural activities help learners to understand the language in cultural context. Finally, a quiz at the end of each lesson with three attempts helps you to check what you know! 

Instructor-led course features

Instructor-Led Courses

$97per student
  • Instructor-led OLI courses enable independent learners to study a subject over a 14-week period with a weekly live class on Zoom with their instructor and peers. Courses are:

    • Taught by a Carnegie Mellon University Instructor
    • Not self-paced. There will be weekly deadlines and students will complete approximately one lesson per week.
    • Include a certificate of completion
  • Includes the learning materials and assessments, weekly live class on Zoom (60 minutes), weekly emails, and the ability to contact the instructor for questions

  • Certificate of Completion (70% or more on exams) or Certificate with Distinction (90% or more on exams) available to learners meeting the requirements

  • *If your teacher gave you a Course Key, do not use an Independent Paid course because your teacher will never see your work.

Important dates

You can enroll in Spanish A2 — Instructor-Led for Independent Learners at any time through August 29, 2024.

  • Start date: August 29, 2024
  • End date: December 12, 2024

NOTE: Please visit the Zoom class schedule tab for information on your live Zoom meetings.

Zoom class schedule

Meet with your instructor and peers via Zoom:

  • Thursdays from 2-3:00pm Eastern Time (ET)

Use a time zone conversion tool to convert this to your local time.

What students will learn

By the end of this course, students will learn to: 

  • Describe past events in detail
  • Summarize the main ideas of Spanish language TV shows and books
  • Tell a story about something unexpected that happened
  • Describe your favorite holidays and how they have changed over time
  • Explain how a dish is prepared
  • Navigate a car rental
  • Give directions to places around town
  • Describe the body parts 
  • Make recommendations to others
  • Explain how you and others are feeling
  • Give advice to authors
  • Ask for favors and grant permission
  • Describe symptoms of a common illness at a doctor’s appointment
  • Express obligation
  • Describe daily engagements with technology
  • Describe animals commonly found in nature and at the zoo
  • Discuss your hobbies in detail 
  • Make weekend plans with friends
  • Make excuses when you do not want to or are unable to do something
  • Plan transportation and lodging for your next trip
  • Describe your future plans
  • Plan your activities and budget for your next trip

Learning objectives by module

COMING SOON

Other course details

This course will be taught over 14 weeks.

Course Authors:

  • Natalie Amgott, PhD
  • Keziah Olsen
  • Erin Zlockie

Voice Actors:

  • Leandro Durand
  • Ryan McEachern
  • Keziah Olsen
  • Karla Tejeda
  • Erin Zlockie

System requirements

OLI system requirements, regardless of course:

  • internet access
  • an operating system that supports the latest browser update
  • the latest browser update (Chrome recommended; Firefox, Safari supported; Edge and Internet Explorer are supported but not recommended)
  • pop-ups enabled
  • cookies enabled

Some courses include exercises with exceptions to these requirements, such as technology that cannot be used on mobile devices.

This course’s system requirements:

  • Videoconferencing software
OLI Website:
New look and
New student registration process

OLI’s website has undergone a refresh, and so has the student registration process. Watch the video to see how easily students can register with a Course Key.

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