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Course Syllabus

Syllabus

Spanish I

 

Course Information

Course Number: SPAN 2104

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisites: None

Course Description: Elementary Spanish I is the first of a two-online asynchronous course sequence of beginning Spanish. This course focuses on the rapid and integrated development of the four traditional language skills, listening, reading, speaking, and writing,  as well as a fifth skill: cultural understanding. Through a study of various Spanish-speaking cultures, students will learn to apply the phrases in a meaningful way, emphasizing the correct use of the given phrase or sentence. Students should expect to participate in activities, discussions, projects, and assessments as they progress through this online course. Each assignment and assessment is designed to challenge students to use the vocabulary lessons and grammar skills in a meaningful way as they learn to speak everyday conversational Spanish. Spanish 1 utilizes the open-source textbook Trayectos. 

This course is built to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) standards.

 

Course Goals: This course is designed so that students with little or no prior knowledge of the language will develop elementary language competence.  Through reading, writing, listening, and speaking exercises, students will be introduced to basic vocabulary and grammar based on a theme presented in each module. The vocabulary and grammar skills presented in each module are needed to communicate in the language, focusing on everyday topics and predictable messages.

The learning outcomes in this course are based on the ACTFL Guidelines, as described below:

 

Types of Communication: The content of this class has been designed to develop your ability to communicate in several

different modes.

  • Interpersonal Communication: Learners interact and negotiate meaning in spoken, signed, or written conversations to share information, reactions, feelings, and opinions.
  • Interpretive Communication: Learners understand, interpret, and analyze what is heard, read, or viewed on a variety of topics.
  • Presentational Communication: Learners present information, concepts, and ideas to inform, explain, persuade, and narrate on a variety of topics using appropriate media and adapting to various audiences of listeners, readers, or viewers.
  • Intercultural Communication: Learners have the ability to interact with people from another country and culture in a foreign language.

 

Course Outcomes: 

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Express themselves effectively both orally and in writing using simple Spanish vocabulary.
  2. Demonstrate basic written and conversational skills using increased vocabulary.
  3. Translate passages written in basic Spanish.
  4. Utilize the present tense to provide basic information on familiar topics using memorized words and phrases, simple sentences, and already-practiced language.
  5. Compare and contrast people, products, practices, and perspectives of Spanish-speaking communities with those of the student’s own culture.
  6. Describe cultural norms and values and provide basic historical information on Spanish-speaking countries.
  7. Present information on a researched topic using a combination of English and Spanish.

 

Instructional methods utilized in this course include:

  • Lessons
  • CYKs
  • Module Quizzes
  • Discussion Posts
  • Mastery Assignments
  • Midterm and Final Exams 

 

Course Materials

All reading and materials necessary to complete required exercises are provided within the course platform. The textbook (Trayectos: Volumes I and II)  by Dr. Gabriel Zapata) is available free of charge.

Additionally, students will participate in online face-to-face conversations with native speakers through an online conversation platform.

 

Course Length

This is a self-paced course allowing students to learn according to their schedules. Overall, it is estimated that the course will take approximately 150-180 hours to complete. The recommended timeframe to complete this course is 14-16 weeks. It is recommended that students work through the course at a comfortable pace that allows regular, incremental (daily and/or weekly) progress.

Please note: While there are due dates within the LMS to assist students with making consistent progress through course materials, there is no penalty for late assignments. However, if a student is enrolled in this course through a school or institution, s/he is required to finish the course according to the academic calendar of the respective school or institution.

Minimum Passing Grade

To earn college credit for this course, students must earn a minimum average grade of 70% or higher. If a high school student receives less than 70% in this course, it is up to the school offering the course to grant high school credit for its completion.

 

Grading Policies

Grade Weighting

  • Participation (Check Your Knowledge Quizzes): 10% 
  • Module Quizzes: 20%
  • Discussion Posts: 10% 
  • Mastery Assignments: 40% 
  • Course Exams: 20% 

 

Assignment Grading Descriptions 

  • Participation (CYKs): Multiple choice quizzes that are auto-graded. Students may take these as many times as desired to practice for module quizzes. Students receive full credit for attempting a CYK quiz but must complete it at least once to earn participation credit
  • Discussion Posts: Students will be prompted to complete four discussion posts throughout this course. These discussion posts are structured as conversations and reflect the content of the module. Students are expected to post a response following the guidelines displayed in the directions for each discussion post. There will be different requirements based on the topics, lessons, and conversation skill level. Students should also be prepared to respond to their peers in a polite, informative manner. Discussion participation points are given after the completion of the discussion post quiz. The discussion post quiz must be completed at the time the discussion post is written and submitted.
  • Module Quizzes: Multiple-choice quizzes that are auto-graded. Students may use notes and refer back to lessons using a separate browser or the printable versions of lessons. Quizzes are not timed. Students may take only once.
  • Mastery Assignments: 
    • Written Mastery Assignments: Rubric-based assignments that reinforce concepts in the course. Assignments are aligned to course outcomes and require the student to spend extra time developing, reviewing, and revising their assignments prior to submission. Students are encouraged to seek out feedback from peers and experts to fully develop their assignments. Students are also encouraged to self-evaluate their work using the rubrics provided.
  • Course Exams: Proctored, multiple-choice exam that is auto-graded. Students may take this only once.  

 

Mastery Assignments

Use the following information to know in which module the Mastery Assignments are located. 

  • Mastery Assignment 1: Module 3
  • Mastery Assignment 2: Module 4 
  • Mastery Assignment 3: Module 7
  • Mastery Assignment 4: Module 8

 

Grade Discrepancies

Grades are awarded for a student’s individual academic work during each semester based upon the student’s mastery of the content. Students who wish to appeal a grade to the Academic Services Team must submit this form to start the appeals process. Moreover, students caught violating the Academic Integrity Policy must file an appeal if they disagree with the assessment of their actions.

Upon the receipt of the appeal, the following process will be enacted:

  1. Grade appeals will be sent to the course management team and the instructor of the course for evaluation. A thorough investigation will take place using all evidence provided from the rubric, assignment instruction, notes from the instructional team member, and other relevant outsourced information.
  2. Once evaluated, this result will be communicated to the student.
    1. If the appeal is approved, the grade will be changed, and the student will be notified.
    2. In the case of an academic integrity appeal, the student can either accept the assessment and subsequent action or they can restart the course.

Note: While the company will endeavor to follow the foregoing appeals process, it retains absolute discretion to deviate from this process when TEL determines such deviation is justified under the circumstances. Nothing contained herein shall be interpreted to create due process or contractual rights for students.

 

Exams

In this course, students will complete a midterm and a final exam, both of which must be proctored. The exams in this course are proctored by HonorLock, which is a browser extension that monitors student performance and progress while taking an exam. Students will be required to bring a form of identification with them when starting the exam. While Honorlock will record the student’s computer webcam, speakers, and desktop, all security and privacy protocols/requirements will be followed.

 

Technical Requirements

This course is delivered 100% online, and students are required to have access to a computer or laptop — along with consistent access to the Internet — to access course material and complete assignments.

Required technology:

  • Desktop or portable computer, including Windows PC, Macintosh OS, or Chromebook (tablets, cell phones, and iPads are not supported)
  • Google Chrome Browser
  • Working built-in or external webcam, speakers, and microphone
  • Internet speed must be at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. Hot spots are not recommended.  Test Internet speed
  • Headphones or speakers 
  • Microphone
  • A webcam or video recording device
  • Access to Quizlet by creating a free account after joining the course’s Class Link. 
  • Ability to access the Google Work Suite (ie. Google Slides, Google Docs, etc.)
  • Access to the Native Speaker conversations

To access detailed information about the minimum hardware requirements necessary to take full advantage of the courses, visit the course home page.

 

Disability Services Statement

TEL is committed to providing equitable student access to course content and materials by providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. TEL also complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students who need special accommodations must make their requests by contacting the TEL Support Team. TEL’s Support Team will coordinate reasonable accommodations upon registration and before the course begins. Students over the age of 18 taking college-level courses require a 504 for special accommodations.

Any student seeking to request academic accommodations on the basis of a documented disability should contact the TEL Support Team at disabilityservices@tellibrary.org to coordinate reasonable accommodations.

 

Additional Information

Please review the following documents before continuing on to the course material. 

 

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