SPA 211 – Intermediate Spanish I

SYLLABUS
Organization: Guilford Technical Community College
Division: Arts & Sciences Chair: Connie Carroll Office: DH 210
Department: Communication/Fine Arts Chair: Shelly Lutzweiler Office: AT 350
#10

Instructor Information
Instructor’s Name Conchita McNeal
E-Mail Address cmcneal@gtcc.edu

Office Information
Location AT-350-14
Campus Jamestown
Address P.O. Box 309
City, State, Zip Jamestown, NC 27282
Office Phone 336-334-4822 or 336-454-1126, ext.
Office Hours Face to Face and Pronto, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 11 to 12 pm
Pronto, Tuesdays and Fridays, from 9 to 10 am

Class Information
Beginning Date 1/11/09
Number of Weeks 16 weeks
Meeting Times/Locations ONLINE and face to face
Spa 211-W01 meets on Mondays, DS Building, room 223, from 9:00 to 10:30 am
Spa 211-W02 meets on Wednesdays, AT Building, room 252, from 9:00 to 10:30 am

Course Information
Title Intermediate Spanish I
Course Number SPA 211
Credits 3
Pre-requisites C or better in SPA 112
Co-requisites None
Description This course provides a review and expansion of the essential skills of the Spanish language.
Emphasis is placed on the study of authentic and representative literary and cultural texts. Upon completion,
students should be able to communicate effectively, accurately, and creatively about the past, present, and future.
This course has been approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement general education core
requirement in humanities/fine arts.

Competencies
Employability Skills
The following basic employability skills are considered essential for career success and are emphasized in the GTCC curriculum.
Teamwork—Work with others to analyze a situation, establish priorities, and apply resources for solving a problem or
accomplishing a task.
Responsibility—Exhibit individual behaviors that support the official goals and objectives of the organization and its
members.
Communication—Effectively exchange ideas and information with others in oral, written, or visual form.
Problem-solving—Identify problems and potential causes while developing and implementing action plans for solutions.
Information processing—Acquire, evaluate, organize, manage, and interpret information.
Adaptability—Exhibit flexibility and receptivity to changing technologies, methods, processes, work environments,
organizational structures and management practices.

General Education Core Competencies

The following core academic competencies are considered essential for student success and are cov ered in the GTCC
curriculum.
Computer literacy—Students will demonstrate proficiency in the use of computer technology for acquiring, interpreting,
processing, synthesizing and communicating information to be utilized in making decisions and solving proble ms.
Mathematics—Students will use appropriate mathematical skills to gather, record, analyze, and communicate quantitative data
for the purpose of problem solving.
Oral Communication—Students will deliver information in a clear and effective manner, demonstrate effective listening skills
in communicating with others, target the information presented to the audience’s needs, and use media to support presentations.
Reading—Students will apply critical reading strategies to evaluate, interpret, and analyze non-fiction, academic, or
professional readings.
Research—Students will use appropriate research techniques to summarize, paraphrase, interpret, and synthesize information
from primary and secondary sources using standard research style.
Writing—Students will produce unified, coherent, well-developed written communication using standard written English.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Explore the role of important social institutions within the target culture or cultures.
2. Evaluate superficial stereotypes of the target culture or cultures.
3. Communicate information on familiar topics in the target language.
4. Communicate using language that conveys present, preterit, imperfect, and future.
5. Participate in discussion about familiar topics.
6. Use the target language to accomplish everyday tasks.
7. Address everyday problems by asking pertinent, contextually-appropriate questions and making suggestions.
8. Respond to native or near-native speech in familiar situations and on familiar topics.
9. Read for comprehension authentic written materials on familiar topics.
10. Extract information from authentic documents to determine style, tone, purpose and audience.

Textbook Arriba! Comunicación y cultura (Custom Package)

Supplies

In addition to a computer, internet access, a browser and all online text material, you will need a microphone and speakers for
your computer. This course requires that you have the following browser, network connection, plug-ins, software, patches.
Please take the time to download the following software, if you do not have it installed already.
Browser: The latest Internet Explorer (IE) version 6.x • or later. For best viewing, the latest version of IE is recommended.
Network Connection: A hi-speed connection (cable or DSL) is • highly recommended for optimal use. Although Dial-Up
connections are supported, you may experience delays or problems when taking examinations or doing your
assignments.
Plug-ins: You must have the latest versions of • Adobe Acrobat Reader, JAVA, Macromedia Flash Player and Shockwave Player.
Software: Microsoft Word or compatible, Microsoft Paint or • compatible. You will be given access to online material through
Moodle, and tutorials for this class. This will allow you to study and submit coursework via the Internet.
It is very important that you submit all material (exams, quizzes, presentations, and homework) by the due-date, as access to
each particular task will be denied after the due date.

Grading Policy

Grading Scale Grade Requirement

A 94 – 100
B 86 – 93
C 78 – 85
D 70 – 77
F 69 & below
Evaluation of Performance

Three Chapter (lesson) Exams 30%

Assignment/Spanish lab 15%
Discussion Forums/Journals 15%
One Group or individual Presentation 20%
Final Exam 20%
Total Points 100%

Exams (30%)

There will be a total of 3 Exams (10% each). Upon completion of each

chapter (lesson), on the scheduled due date, you should access, take and submit the online exam. Students experiencing
technical problems will be handled on a case-by-case basis. It is the instructor’s discretion to (1) allow a student the
opportunity to take another quiz/exam and (2) assigning the venue for retaking any make up examinations. Please note
that all written makeup examinations will be given in a written closed book format. The exams will include vocabulary,
structure, grammar, listening, reading, writing and oral presentation.
Technical problems with your computer and/or lack of required (recommended) browser, Network connection, plug-ins,
software, patches, etc. will not be considered a valid excuse

Assignments/My Spanish Lab (15%)

We use My Spanish Lab for practicing the material covered on the course. It will be evaluated in the end of the semester.
You should practice at least once a week. Every week you have an assignment divided in different parts. You need to
be sure that you check all the parts and submit them on time.

Discussion Forums/Journals (15%)

Two types of discussions will take place, and In English and Spanish .

You are required to fully engage in each topic.

You will be expected to provide responses to the English forum in good sentence and paragraph format; they should be
checked for correct spelling and grammar. The second type of Forum will be done only in Spanish and some will be
orally. You are also required to fully engage.

All students are expected to read, listen and respond to their peers’ comments. Students who participate in classroom
discussions experience a higher level of learning and retention of the information contained in the course. To encourage
your active participation in the course, you will receive credit for your contributions to the forum discussions. Discussion
forums will start Week 2 and end Week 14.

Your grade will be based upon the thoroughness and accuracy of your response.

Culture Project (Weight 20%)

Proyecto de cultura (guideline):

• Your school's foreign language department has been offered a grant to send you to the Spanish

speaking country of your choice for a semester. After meeting with the representatives from all Spanish

speaking countries of the world you choose a country. You will be responsible for sharing information

about your country when you return. Good Luck!

The Task

Now that you have returned, you are going to do a presentation for the Spanish students, who could not go to the

trip. The presentation has to be in Spanish. Now you are the expert.

• You must now create a power point presentation about your country. Your presentation should

include but is not limited to the following elements: Location, Geography, Government, Money, Natural

resources, School, Family, Tourist Attractions, History and Food.

• Also include your opinion on the country and what you enjoyed the most about your stay.

The Process

The first step is to locate your country on line. Below, click on the region of the world your country is

located in : North America, South America, Central America, Islands and Europe.

• 1. Once you have located your country's name and flag click on that site in order to research

your country.

• 2. While you are in your country, look for needed information about your country. (Note: Your

media center may have additional sources such as Encyclopedias and country books)

• 3. Your presentation should have at least 10 slides. Each slide should be on one of the following

topics: Location, Geography, Government, Currency, Natural Resources, School, Family, Tourist

Attractions, History and Food.

• 4. Remember this project is independent work, not group work.

Recursos

North America

• Mexico

• Islands

• Cuba Dominican Republic Puerto Rico

• Europe

• Spain

Central America

Belize Costa Rica El Salvador

 Guatemala Honduras Nicaragua

Panama

• South America

• South America

• Argentina Bolivia Chile

• Colombia EcuadorParaguay

• PeruUruguayVenezuela

Click: Modelo by David Prost, former student. Although this presentation does not have the voice included, you

need to include it.

Submit your presentation in this assignment (you need to have the slides with your PPT presentation

with voice)

Rubric

• You will be graded on your powerpoint presentation. You will be graded with the following rubric.

• Content - Writing

0 - 30 - Information presented is complete and shows evidence of thorough research

0 - 20 - All material is free of grammatical and spelling errors.

0 - 10 - All information is well organized and in your own voice.

0 - 10 - Evidence of editing based on advice from the instructor or peer advisors.

0 – 5 - Presentation has a title page.

0 – 5 - Presentation has a bibliography with resources from the web, text and media center.

Total - 80

• Overall Presentation

0 -10 - Presentation has a minimum of 10 slides.

0 - 5 - Presentation includes a variety of graphics and transitions ( 3 graphics and 2 transitions).

0 - 5 - Presentation design is effective and visually appealing.

Total Points 20
Policies and Information

Quality of Instruction Statement

The GTCC faculty members are committed to providing quality instruction. If there is a concern about the instruction provided,
treatment of an individual or a group of students, or professional conduct of instructors, first see the instructor, then the
department chair, and then the division chair. The description of Students' Rights and Responsibilities can be found in the current
Student Handbook/Calendar.

ADA Statement
If you have a disability that may affect your academic performance and are seeking accommodations, it is your responsibility to
inform the disAbility Access Services Director (Ms. Melissa Cox: Room 202B Medlin Campus Center, ext. 2363) as soon as
possible. It is important to request accommodations early enough to give disAbility Access Services adequate time to consider
your request and recommend reasonable accommodations. Instructors will provide necessary accommodations based on the
recommendations of disAbility Access Services.

Inclement Weather Policy

The inclement weather day(s) designated by the college for this term is *. Remember that should we have bad weather and this
day(s) is used for a make up day, you are required to attend school and should you miss, this day would count against the
attendance policy below.

Attendance Policy
To participate at least once a week in this class is mandatory

Withdrawal Policy
It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from a class by the course withdrawal date. Failure to follow the withdrawal
procedure will result in a grade of “F” for the course.

Subject to Change
This course syllabus is subject to change as determined by the course instructor. If changes are needed, an addendum to the
syllabus will be provided to each student and implementation of changes will be set forth at date that addendum is issued.

E-Mail Turnaround Policy

I answer my emails within 48 hours. Please plan accordingly.

Netiquetee Expectations

Netiquetee Expectations. GTCC Netiquette Guidelines for Students

Please help your instructors create and maintain a respectful atmosphere that is conducive for learning. This is how you can help:

1. Address your classmates and instructors by name in course communication (such as e-mails, discussions posts). For example:

"Hi Ms. Smith, I have a question" . . . or "Tamika, I like your answer to that question." This shows that you recognize the person at
the other end of the communication.

2. Assume that your instructor prefers to be referred to in more formal terms, unless told otherwise (i.e., Professor Smith, Mrs.
Jones, Mr. Davis).

3. Remember to identify yourself in e-mail (first and last name) as well as the class/section you're in so your professor can relate
your question to a specific person and class.

4. Stay away from posting anything illegal, harassing, sexually suggestive, or inflammatory on your personal profile, blog, or the
course discussion boards. This includes posting racy photos and using curse words, no matter how "mild", and religious, racial,
sexual, or ethnic epithets. Your comments should relate to course content and not try to influence your classmates to your political,
social, or religious beliefs or values. These are academic courses, not MySpace. If instructors see something that they think might
offend others, they might remove it or ask you to remove it. If it happens again, you might be referred to the Dean of Students for
appropriate disciplinary action. If you aren't sure about something, talk to your instructor about it. They will be happy to help you
determine if something is appropriate or not before you post it.
5. Follow the rules and conventions of Standard English—correct spelling and grammar. This makes communication clear for
everyone, in addition to showing respect for the academic environment and those from other backgrounds.

6. Demonstrate an acute awareness of purpose and audience. For example, if you have a question about a grade, ask your
instructor about it rather than make demands or threats. Think about what you want from your instructor or your classmates before
you send an angry e-mail or make an angry discussion post.

7. Use normal capitalization. Typing in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS is the Internet equivalent of yelling at someone. Don’t do it in e-mail
or in the discussion boards. Also typing messages in all lower case makes your message difficult to read.

8. Discuss personal matters, grades, and policy matters with instructors via e-mail, Pronto, over the phone, or in their offices, not in
the course discussion boards. Refrain from posting complaints, rants, or problems about the course or your life in the discussion
board. Please consider the topic and the delicate nature of the situation as you chose which medium you plan to use. Some topics
are best discussed with a phone call or face-to-face visit.

9. Don't spam your classmates or instructor with e-mail advertisements or solicitations either through Moodle or their e-mail
accounts. Students in this course have the same right to privacy as others. Also, please do not add classmates or instructors to e-
mail lists for jokes, horoscopes, religious materials, commercial information, or anything else that does not relate to class work.

10. Don't allow anyone access to this or any other online course through your account. Make sure you log out when using public
computers. Allowing anyone (parents, friends, spouses, etc.) to access the course or see other students' work violates federal
privacy laws--please don't do it.

Additional information about the class

1. My Spanish Lab (MSL)

2. Ebook
3. Quizzes on Moodle
4. Test on Moodle
5. Discussion Board on Moodle
6. Journals on Moodle

My Spanish Lab (MSL)

• Every week you will have to practice on My Spanish Lab. You do not have to do any specific exercises until the week
before the test for each chapter. This gives you the freedom to choose the exercises that you think are going to help you
in your learning process. I do it in this way because if I assign exercises, you only have one opportunity to do them
however if they are open you can practice as long as you want until you make 100%. This activity is part of the
assignments and in the end of the semester will be incorporated to your grade (remember Assignments are 15% or your
final grade). The week before the test it will be assigned (mandatory) Practica Oral and the Pre Test. You have to do
everything on time and NEVER turn in late. If you are going out of town and etc....you can do the assignments before you
leave. Please do not ask for extra time on assignments.
It is VERY important that you do the browser tune-up which is located on the login page for MSL at the bottom right. Most
of the time when I get emails from students that something is not working correctly it is because the browser tune-up was
not completed. If you do the browser tune-up and the assignment still doesn’t work, then you need to contact tech support
for MSL which is located at the top right labeled "support". For me to give you credit for an assignment, you must email
the incident ID from the tech support to me. Without the incident ID you will receive a zero for the assignment.
All assignments are due on the assigned day. (Check the clock on the day assigned).
For all activities except for tests, you can do them as many times as you would like on My Spanish Lab. My Spanish Lab
takes the average of the grade, so it benefits you to re-do the activities to obtain a higher grade. My Spanish Lab does not
give you the correct answer the first time that you miss something on an assignment because My Spanish Lab wants you
to work through the assignments and learn why you are not getting something correct.
To practice every week is mandatory. This is very important and beneficial for your learning process. If you do not
practice, you might be lost in class.
If you do not login to My Spanish Lab within a 2 week period, I will block you from the site and possibly drop you
from the class.

Ebook
 • In My Spanish Lab towards the right there is a link for the ebook. The ebook is your complete textbook online. The ebook
is interactive and you can do as many exercises to practice as you want. The ebook has audio activities that give you the
chance to listen to native speakers. Some of the speakers speak faster than others, but if you will listen to the activity
more than once, you will be able to pick out what is being said.
At the end of each chapter there is a list of all of the vocabulary presented in the chapter. In this list, you can click on each
word to listen to how the word is pronounced. It is every important that you do this for each chapter. It is expected that you
listened to the words in the chapter and that you are repeating after them.

Quizzes

• You will typically have one or two quizzes for every chapter, a vocabulary and a estructuras (grammar). All quizzes are
open for you to do them as many times as you need to reach 100%.

Tests

• You will have your chapter tests in Moodle. You are expected to study for these tests, just as you would in a regular
classroom setting. Please, do not email me to tell me that you did not have enough time to take your test. I allow plenty of
time. Normally if you run out of time, you were not as prepared for the test. Next time, study more before the test, and you
should do fine. The tests are 30% of the final grade. You will have a week to enter the test but as soon as you enter you
have to finish and submit it because you only have an attempt to do it.

Journals

• You will have a Reflecting Journal in the end of each chapter.

Resources

• In addition to my Spanish Lab there are many resources to use as extra tutorials (please use only what is free). Some
Web Sites are very beneficial for different learning styles. Take advantage of every tool that is offered in the course.

What you should do to be successful in the course.

Read and study from the book.
Practice on My Spanish Lab with the ebook. Do the exercises on the Activity Manual that you think will help you the most (the
ideal is to do all of them).
Finally do the assignment for each Module. The assignments are divided into different parts:
Vocabulario quiz
Estructuras quiz
Forum
Journal
If you need more clarification or any help for the material and the assignment, please e-mail me or pronto me.

Time Expectations

This online course is recommended for individuals who are unable to attend regular class meetings but can still dedicate significant
DAILY time to study Spanish. Normally, students need to invest at least three hours of study for each credit hour. Since this is a
three-contact hour course, you should plan a total of 9 hours of study time throughout the week. This includes time spent studying,
doing your online assignments, and other activities.
You need to spread out your work throughout the week. In this course, you will communicate and access course materials through
Moodle, including My Spanish Lab.

Due dates

Please be sure to check carefully for the specific due date for each assignment. Each assignment has a due date on the Topic,
Module, and week that is assigned.

Common reasons that pop ups fail to open and how to address those issues
1. The Google toolbar is installed

• The Google toolbar which many students install on their computers is set to
• block pop-ups. The test and quizzes in Moodle appear in pop-up windows
• and this causes issues. To correct the problem students should either uninstall
• the Google toolbar, or configure it to allow pop-ups from the GTCC Moodle
• website.

2. Internet Explorer blocks pop-ups

• Internet Explorer 8, which Microsoft is forcing down to all users, blocks

• pop-ups by default. Students need to configure their systems to allow
• pop-ups from appropriate sites, or use an alternative browser such as
• Firefox.

3. Incompatible Firewalls and Antivirus Programs

• If these solutions do not fix the problem the student may have either a
• personal firewall running or their antivirus software is blocking the pop-ups.
• In this case they will need to contact the maker of their software for
• assistance in configuring the software for use with Moodle.

Additional Resources at GTCC

• Click: Career Services

• Click: Counseling Center
• Click: disAbility Services
• Click: eLearing
• Click: Tutoring
• Click: GTCC Library

Academic Honesty

• Academic honesty is critical to academic integrity and an important part of the educational process. To gain the
knowledge and skills in this Spanish class, it is important that each student complete his or her own work. When you
violate this principle, you cheat yourself and all the members of the Spanish learning community. Excellence requires
freedom . Honesty and integrity are prerequisites of this freedom. Also Academic honesty in the advancement of
knowledge requires that all students and instructors respect the integrity of one another's work and recognize the
importance of acknowledging and safeguarding intellectual property.

List of some of the Academic Dishonesty

• Cheating: Copying, in part or in whole, from someone else's test; submitting work presented previously in another course,
if contrary to the rules of either course; altering or interfering with grading; using or consulting, during an examination, any
sources, consulting with others, use of electronic equipment including cell phones and PDAs, or use of materials not
authorized by the instructor; or committing other acts that defraud or misrepresent.
• Plagiarisms : Incorporating the ideas, words, sentences, paragraphs, or parts of another person's writings, without giving
appropriate credit, and representing the product as your own; Representing another's artistic or scholarly works such as
musical compositions, computer programs, photographs, paintings, drawings or sculptures as your own; submitting a
paper purchased from a research or term paper service, including the Internet; or undocumented Web source usage.
• Other Specific Examples of Academic Dishonesty: Purposely allowing another student to copy from your paper during
a test; giving your homework, term paper or other academic work to another student to plagiarize; having another person
submit any work in your name; lying to an instructor or college official to improve your grade; altering a graded work after
it has been returned, then submitting the work for re-grading; stealing tests; forging signatures on drop/add cards or other
college documents; or collaboration without permission of instructor .