Course Description

The course is conducted almost exclusively in Spanish and encourages the student to do likewise. However, the tips and grammar tutorials make use of both Spanish and English to aid in the student’s comprehension of difficult grammatical concepts. The course is divided into ten units.  Each unit focuses on a unit theme which is then further broken down into sub-topics.  Each unit consists of vocabulary practices, grammar presentations and practices, culture topics, assessments, and AP-related test practices.  Although this course is completely online, you will have a teacher who will be available to answer any questions you might have regarding the course and the content. The teacher will also be correcting your assignments and any audio or essay submissions.

The intensity, quality and amount of materials can be compared to a third-year college course.  Instructional materials, activities, assignments, and assessments are appropriate to this level.  In addition to frequent use of authentic materials obtained from the Internet, other course materials have been written, created and organized by a team of writers which includes experienced AP teachers, university teachers, and other native Spanish-speaking writers.   The content presented in the course is principally based on online research combined with the writers’ experience teaching at the AP and college level.  All audio excerpts and passages were written and recorded by native-Spanish speakers from various countries and spoken at native speeds.  All reading passages were also written and prepared by native Spanish-speaking writers.  The activities and assignments in this course are specifically designed to help each student improve their skills in all Spanish communicative areas and also to prepare for the AP Exam.  Each unit consists of several activities which integrate multiple language skills together, which further strengthens the student’s language development and acquisition.  The tests, especially the unit tests and semester final exams, are structured to assess a student’s complete understanding of all the information presented. They should be prepared for quite intensely. They will also provide great practice for the AP test.  

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Objectives

Upon completion of AP Spanish, students should be able to:

• Prepare for the AP Spanish Exam
• Thoroughly review the basics of Spanish grammar
• Learn more about Hispanic culture and civilization
• Acquire new vocabulary covering many areas and disciplines
• More fully develop your listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities
• Instigate and/or carry on involved conversations in Spanish on a wide variety of topics
• Experience authentic Spanish audio, video, and written materials
• Persist in your study of Spanish by providing an interesting variety of activities

DoDEA Spanish I Standards may be viewed by clicking the link.

Image: A traditional lady at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala; Shutterstock.com

Course Outline (Semester 1)

Unit 1 Science and Technology-Social impact of technology

• Cell phones
• TV shows and effects

Unit 2 Global Challenges-Health issues

• Exercise
• Health and Weight Problems

Unit 3 Contemporary Life-How education affects career choices

• Work
• College

Semester 1 Midterm Review and Test

Unit 4 Beauty and Aesthetics-Architecture

• Airport
• Travel destinations

Unit 5 Families and Communities

• Personalities
• Dating

Unit 6 Contemporary Life-Leisure and pastimes

• Sports and activities

Semester 1 Final Review and Test

Image: Young woman climbing the Pyramid at Chichen Itza; Shutterstock.com

Course Outline (Semester 2)

(To be announced)

Textbook

The textbook for AP Spanish is:

Nuevas Vistas: Curso Uno

ISBN #H943310

Harcourt International(Houghton-Mifflin as of Jan. 2007)

Image: Spanish Square (Plaza de Espana), Seville, Andalusia, Spain; Shutterstock.com