Español  I / III/ Accelerated III

Juan Amigo

juan.amigo@boiseschools.org

School ext. 241 

¡Bienvenidos a la clase de español!

I am glad you have decided to study Spanish. My hope is that you enjoy the class and continue with your study of the language. Please read this course description with your parents, then sign and return it to me.

Class Responsibilities

1. Be here and be focused.
2. Participate. It’s the key to being successful with a new language.
3. Keep up.
4. Respect yourself and others. One of my top priorities is to create a safe environment where we will make many mistakes
5. Respect the classroom environment.  Do not bring any food, drink or gum to my class. Leave a bad attitude outside the door, too.

How we learn a language.

 Learning a language is cumulative; each thing we learn builds on the other, so you need to plan on putting aside time for daily review. If you use class time productively and create a system to memorize vocabulary and new grammar concepts, you will succeed. Listening is how language is acquired, so listen to everything that is said in class. There will be times when you don’t understand everything said and that is normal. Just relax and keep listening.

Participation

     Participation is critical in the acquisition of a foreign language! You have to be willing to be a part of the class and do what is asked.  You won’t learn to communicate if you don’t participate and be willing to make mistakes.

Expectations

I expect you to come with all materials, speak Spanish, volunteer to act or to read, turn in homework and get to work immediately, use class time productively, display a positive attitude, be responsible, for work missed during an absence, listen while others speak, put away supplies and materials neatly and without being reminded, encourage others, wait for me to dismiss you before putting things in backpacks, etc.

     Late or missing assignments will not be accepted, unless you have an excused absence. If you are absent on a day when we have a quiz, we will arrange a time for you to take the quiz.  If you fail to appear for the make-up, a grade of a zero will be recorded. I will not remind you to make-up a test, you are responsible for making up the work, preparing for assessments and arriving to make-up sessions.

Grades

Lesson quizzes

Homework assignments

Unit tests

Class participation

Small written projects

100-90=A           89-80=B            79-70=C             69-60=D            Below 59=F

Attitude

Be positive and willing to participate, even if the activity we are doing is not your favorite. I will be using a number of different teaching techniques, as we all learn differently. I will be asking you to perform skits, speak frequently in front of others, and perhaps step out your comfort zone. As in all areas of your life, your success depends largely on your attitude.

I am looking forward to a great year!