Course Name: Spanish level II (CPI)

Teacher: Mr. Gustavo Benedetti, Mr. Alberto Delgado

gbenedetti@moeller.org

Voicemail: (513) 791-1680; ext. 1991

Extra help will be provided at room 232; however getting a tutor is highly advisable

Please, check here the Spanish class web site:

http://homepages.moeller.org/Gbenedetti/Las%20clases/Spanish%20II/Español%20II.htm

Moeller High School, a Catholic school in the Marianist tradition developing leadership in young men

My philosophy of teaching and learning a second language is very simple, a beginning second language

student who can communicate orally and comprehend at his/her level what others say is a successful

story; according to my experience and research in second language acquisition, teachers who can

facilitate students' communication development opens the door for that student to continue mastering

that language which should, after all, be the ultimate objective for both, the language program and the

student. Oral communication development and listening comprehension should assure a positive

attitude by a second language student toward the subject; eventually, this could keep the learner

studying four instead of the two years that most students see themselves involved with when starting

traditional language programs. Finally, I will conduct my classes in Spanish and students are encouraged

to use it as the only communication tool during class.

Gustavo Benedetti

Academic Expectations

You need in class: Your computer (Charged; a notebook, in case of computer problems) and your

reading book.

This school year you will be learning a second language (L2) and whether you have taken a Spanish class

before or not, I am sure that this class will be completely different from what you have taken or expect

to have. Why am I saying this to you? I don't mean to worry you because that is not what I have in mind.

The point I am trying to address is that you will learn Spanish with a special method. Don't worry! It will

be easy for you.

At the beginning of the course and probably for two weeks, either I or your partner (s) will give you

commands and you will perform them along with me; sometimes, you will perform these commands

while I do nothing, and some other times I will give you commands and I'll do something different.

Remember, do what you are commanded to do either by me or by a partner.

If the period of pure commands sounds fun, the following step is even better. At this point students will

begin developing stories and, in groups, they will need to act out these stories out (take a look on the

following video clip from Spanish I students; they, like you, still didn't know Spanish at the time.)

Reading is an important area in this class; you will have reading assignments almost daily from both your

class books and from the internet. You need to keep your personal dictionary along with your notebook.

Finally, you sometimes need to write your story, and it will obviously be in Spanish. Again, don't worry!

You will be able to do it because they will be your stories, which means you will have the chance to use

your imagination.

I haven't talked to you about textbooks or workbooks, and guess what? I won't. The Spanish class does

not have them. You do have a reading book as I indicated above plus supplementary reading material

assigned from Spanish online newspapers.

Rules: these are not about class discipline but about class performance

1. I hate to tell you this but you are not allowed to speak English in class. Imagine yourself

talking in Spanish while in an English class! I don't believe that choice would be smart. On

the other hand, if you are in a desperate need to say something or find something out, you

can so if you raise your hand and ask permission to talk in English.

2. Remember to do what you are told to do.

3. Be involved in group assignments.

4. Every student must participate and present stories.

Homework

Students will have homework for every class (with some few exceptions during the school year); please,

be aware that reading and listening comprehension are a big factor in this class since students will have

to provide answers in Spanish; I will advise you read stories at least three times

Grading in the Spanish class

Homework, 20 %: All students have this percentage at the start of every quarter and it is up to them to

keep it by having their homework ready every time. Every missing assignment represents 2% of the 20

percent.

Class Participation, 20 %: You are required to work hard and do your best in class either in an individual

task or when working with partners.

Communication, 20 %: Spanish is the communicating language in this class and students need to use it

at every moment in order to ask and answer questions, and during the developing and acting of stories;

students will follow and provide signs and or commands accordingly.

Quizzes, 20 %: Quizzes are mostly about reading comprehension, vocabulary and grammar and this

implies a great effort for reading stories in Spanish not once but at least two times and may be three in

case of listening and oral difficulties.

Tests, 20 %: Tests are based on the developing and presentation of stories in groups. A student who

gains or gets near to this percentage needs to be an active member of his group and be a story teller

very frequently.

An A student, 100-90

As for class participation and communication, an A student will speak Spanish in class, ask and answer

questions in Spanish, always; he also will have outstanding reading comprehension on all the reading

assignments and have consistently excellent quiz results. This student rarely uses English for

communication purposes in the classroom. Likewise, an A student needs to have his homework ready

every time and, finally, as for testing, an A student will be an active participant in his group during the

development of stories and be a frequent story teller.

Students with B, 89-80

As for class participation and communication, a B student will generally communicate in Spanish during

class, ask and answer questions in Spanish as well; a student with a B grade will have consistently good

results on quizzes and a good reading comprehension level. This student seldom uses English in class. A

student with a B grade will have his homework virtually every time and participate actively in tests

during the development and presentation of stories.

Students with C, 79-75

As for class participation and communication, a C student will ask and answer questions in Spanish very

often and in general have appropriate communication skills in Spanish although he sometimes will use

English for communication; a student with a C grade will generally be able to read for comprehension

although with some guessing and have fair quiz results. This student might miss several homework

assignments.

Students with D, 74-70

As for class participation and communication, a D student intends but does not always accomplish

asking and answering questions as well as to communicate in Spanish. This student may not put

sufficient effort into reading assignments and might miss several homework assignments. Quiz scores

for this student will be below average and, finally, in the area of tests, a D student will attempt but not

always accomplish an active role during the developing and the acting of stories.

Students with F, 69-0

As for class participation and communication, this student relies on English most of the time and has a

negative attitude toward the use of Spanish as the only acceptable way of communication in class. This

student has the tendency to miss homework frequently, with the result that his quizzes are poorly done.

As for tests, this student will be directed by the teacher to work on his own and not in a group where his

attitude will be an obstruction for other students in practicing their Spanish.

Some Rules for the Spanish class (discipline):

1. Respect the class rules. There are no exceptions for breaking a rule.

2. Respect yourself and others in the classroom. No insults will be tolerated!

3. This class follows Moeller’s Handbook in reference to attendance, tardiness, dress code,

academic violation etc.

4. Students should be in their assigned seats at the beginning of the class (you need a note from

a teacher or the office in case you are coming late.) Note: the bell sound at the end of class

alerts the teacher to dismiss students and I will do this; do not leave until I tell you to. The aisles

should remain clear for movement. Put your book bags in a location that will keep the aisles

clear.

5. In case you need the bathroom, please come to the classroom first and II will give you

permission to go. I have no problem granting permission to the bathroom but I encourage you

to stay away from abusive behavior.

6. Students have the right to reach their potential in Spanish; please do not talk out in class. I

will address your question after you raise your hand.

Note: make sure your cell phone is off during the Spanish class! Failing to do this will result in

a mandatory school detention.

Consequences for violating the rules:

A. I will talk to you to ensure that you have understood the expectations concerning the class

discipline rules.

B. I will call your parent and you will also have one hour after school detention with me (be

aware that practicing sports at Moeller won’t exempt you from detention); in addition, if you

have detention with another teacher, I will need a note from him/her. (Thursday is detention

day and you should be in my room 232 at 2:50 p.m.).

C. Finally, I will write a misconduct report.