Spanish 1 — Independent Learners

$10

Learn spanish in a media-rich and interactive environment, driven by video that was shot on-site in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Categories: All Course Materials (independent learners), Language and Speech (independent learners)

Description

Spanish 1 is media-rich and interactive, driven by video that was shot on-site in Guadalajara, Mexico. This course is available for low-cost use by instructor-led classes of enrolled students, and can be adapted for a hybrid delivery system or solely distance delivery. Please note: the Open & Free version of Spanish 1 contains just a sample of the content, and not the full course.

To successfully use this course, you should be a motivated student with a sincere desire to learn the Spanish language and about cultures in the Spanish-speaking world, and be comfortable with computer technologies. The time commitment will typically average eight hours per week.

Topics Covered:

Introductions and Greetings
Physical and Personality Descriptions
Popular Hobbies
School and Studies
Food and Restaurants
Home and Family

This course is part of a two-semester sequence (Spanish 1 & 2). Each course is divided into twelve thematic lessons, with ample opportunity for reentry and review. Completing both courses will require two semesters. Instructors can select, reorder or eliminate materials when using the course. Each lesson contains short video components to contextualize the material. Segments of the video are then replayed in a variety of interactive activities and tutors. All videos were filmed in Mexico, incorporating authentic speech, cultural references, and gestures.

The beginning of each lesson is always a set sequence, from recognition of language, through explicit learning of grammar and pronunciation, to written and spoken production. After this ordered beginning, many activities are offered to the student in which the language learned is used in understanding new texts, sounds or videos, or in creative production. Lesson tests and exams are available to students enrolled in instructor-led courses. The Learning Dashboard allows for at-a-glance evaluation by instructors of student progress based on each lesson’s learning objectives.

Learning objectives by module

Spanish I Learning Objectives list

Lesson 1

In this lesson you will learn:

to introduce yourself and your friends
to describe yourself and your friends and family
to talk about your classroom and basic activities of the class

You will also discover:

a basic history of the Spanish language
how people meet and greet each other in Latin America and Spain

Lesson 2

In this lesson you will learn:

to talk about some of your daily activities
to talk about what you like and don’t like

You will also discover:

information about many other languages spoken in Latin America and Spain
some of the arts and artists of Guatemala, as well as about the country itself

Lesson 3

In this lesson you will learn:

to discuss your studies and jobs
to talk more about daily activities
to tell time and explain what time and day you have class or do certain activities

You will also discover:

what university life is like for students in Latin America
some interesting things about professional life in Latin America and Spain
how the education system functions in Mexico

Lesson 4:

In this lesson you will learn:

how to explain more of your activities and hobbies
how to talk about your family members
more ways that you can talk about things you or other people have

You will also discover:

about archaeological sites in Perú
about family life in Spain

Lesson 5

In this lesson you will learn:

to make plans and talk about the near future
to talk about important dates and times of the year
to talk about the weather

You will also discover:

information about the Dominican Republic
different concepts of time in the Spanish-speaking world
diverse climatic conditions in Latin America

Lesson 6

In this lesson you will learn:

how to talk about the location of people and things
how to discuss actions that are in progress
how to express how you are feeling, both physically and emotionally

You will also discover:

interesting parts of Puerto Rico
the tradition of celebrating the 15th birthday as an important milestone

Lesson 7

In this lesson you will learn:

to talk more about some of your likes and dislikes
to discuss your hobbies and pastimes
to conjugate many more verbs!

You will also discover:

about Colombia, and Gabriel García Márquez
the impact of telenovelas in the Spanish-speaking world

Lesson 8

In this lesson you will acquire:

more ways to discuss your daily activities and habits
differences between por and para
reflexive verbs, or actions you do to yourself

You will also learn about:

Cuba, and in particular about women in the film industry
the Cuban artist Wilfredo Lam

Lesson 9

In this lesson you will learn:

more nuanced ways to talk about your preferences and your emotions
how to make comparisons between people, places, and things
to discuss your obligations and duties

You will also read about:

Ecuador and its biodiversity
The famous architect, Gaudí, and his influence in Barcelona.
Contemporary architecture in Mexico

Lesson 10

In this lesson you will learn:

to discuss actions in the past
about traditions and celebrations

You will also explore:

Latino populations in the United States
the diversity of the Spanish language as it is spoken throughout the world

Lesson 11

In this lesson you will acquire:

more preterite conjugations
many words and expression to talk about clothing and shopping

You will also read about:

Uruguay and some of the linguistic variations in the Río Plate region.
the Rastro market in Madrid
the tradition of bargaining, depending on where you shop

Lesson 12

In this lesson, you will learn:

more about verbs, and some contrasts between different tenses
to discuss food and nutrition, an essential every-day topic!

Additionally, you will discover:

some of the rich culinary traditions of Venezuela, and about the cultural value of sharing meals and conversation.