Course Detail
Spanish Conversation – Spring ‘10
Who is eligible? This class is particularly appropriate for those students that are at an intermediate level of Spanish or beyond. *** see notes below
When is it? Fridays, 2:30-3:45 PM, on the following 14 dates in winter/spring 2010:*
Jan 8, 15
Feb 5, 12, (followed by special class on Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 9:00-10:45 at the instructor’s home in Penfield. NO CLASS on Feb. 26.)
Mar 5, 19, 26
Apr 9, 23, 30
May 7, 21
June 4 (this was originally a make-up day, but since the instructor had to cancel a January class due to illness, June 4 is now a regular meeting date.)
You will notice that classes meet only about 3 times per month since there is a monthly Book Club that requires use of the Main Meeting Room on the other Friday.
*NOTE: We necessarily had to schedule only 10 dates in Fall 09. There will be 14 class meeting dates in second semester. We charged the same amount each semester, averaging 12 dates each. Therefore, anyone who begins the program this semester will get two extra classes as a bonus.
Who teaches it? Mrs. Marcela Villarreal
Senora Marcela Villarreal comes to us highly recommended by a variety of her adult students and co-workers. Our students in her fall 09 TG course have enjoyed her creative and productive classes.
Born and raised in Argentina, Senora Marcela Villarreal received her education at the Universidad Católica Argentina, Rosario, Argentina where she studied in the Facualtad de Ciencias Historica. Her major focused on ‘‘Perfection to the Latin American Colonial Art’’, and she received a B.A. degree in History. She also lived and taught for approximately three years in Mexico.
Since moving to the Rochester area, Senora Villarreal has taught small group lessons and tutored individuals in Spanish for more than 10 years in both corporate and private environments, including the last few years at Language Intelligence. Her classes are designed not only to develop basic Spanish speaking skills, but also to enhance listening, reading, and/ or writing communications skills.
Senora Villarreal’s expertise includes:
• Spanish instructor for level I, II, III, IV and V.
• Implemented activities for learning ‘language in context’.
• Introduce differences in Latin American and Spanish language and culture.
• Instructor for adult students at Bird’s Eye, Kodak, Xerox and Garlock.
• Interpreter in courtroom, hospital, and other professional settings for both English to Spanish and Spanish to English.
• Teacher and tutor for various programs (children, college students, and adults) at MCC, Berlitz, and schools in Mexico and Argentina, the Latin American school positions primarily focusing on History and Latin American Colonial Architecture.
About the course: To learn to communicate most effectively in another language, all areas must be addressed: speaking, listening, writing, and reading. The purpose of this class is to tie those 4 areas together and to create opportunities for students to actually use the language in order to communicate with each other.
Activities to practice Spanish Conversation include: dialogues, games, music, stories, short movies, projects, publicities and pronunciation practice.
Students will be using the following book Practice makes Perfect: Spanish Verb Tenses ( by Doroty Devney). Please let Mrs. Mancini know whether or not you already own the book. If not, we will provide it for you at no extra charge. It explains the quantity of verbs that are utilized in Spanish and helps students in their Spanish language development by promoting oral and written proficiency.
In class, students are expected to speak in Spanish the majority of the time — at their own level (ability levels will vary in the class). This means that students must be willing to stretch outside of their comfort zones, which guarantees that they will grow and progress in their listening/speaking abilities. This class is designed in a way that allows everyone to experience success and growth, regardless of what Spanish level they are presently at.
Students are also expected to complete creative Spanish homework assignments, which they will present or discuss in class the following week.
How much does it cost? $130 per semester
What does it include? Professional instruction from a native speaker.
A copy of the required book, Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Verb Tenses by Dorothy Devney. (Please let Mrs. Mancini know if you already own the book.)
A syllabus and weekly handouts that will explain the homework assignment.
What do I need to bring? Expect regular, creative assignments for homework which will be presented or discussed in class the following week. Please contact the instructor if you expect you will miss a class.
A Spanish dictionary is required.
In class, students are expected to speak in Spanish the majority of the time.
Dress Code Exceptions: None
When do I need to register?:
Other notes:
***If a teen has completed his/her formal Spanish studies, but would like to review or maintain his/her Spanish skills until starting college, this class would be of great benefit.
