FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | COURSE DIFFERENCES | PLACEMENT | COURSE CONTENT
Spanish as a heritage language classes establish language communities within the classroom and focus on the four skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking using cultural and community activities related to the students’ heritage, particularly incorporating the language and culture of Northern New Mexico.
Course Descriptions
Elementary Spanish as a Heritage Language: Spanish 111
This is a beginning course for students who grew up around Spanish, understand 25-50 percent of a basic Spanish conversation, and can produce isolated words, but not full sentences. Emphasis is placed on the four skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and the acquisition of basic vocabulary allowing students to satisfy basic survival and social needs in Spanish. The class will focus on the development of basic reading and writing structures, particularly through activities within the theme of family.
Elementary Spanish as a Heritage Language: Spanish 112
Students in this course usually understand and can speak some Spanish, but lack confidence in their oral skills. A continued emphasis is placed on listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and the development of vocabulary and basic orthographic skills.
Intermediate Spanish as a Heritage Language: Spanish 211
Spanish 211 is an intermediate course for heritage language learners who possess comprehension, oral, and basic skills in reading and writing. Attention in this course is placed on oral activities and grammar with comparisons between popular and formal language. All four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) are emphasized via cultural and community activities.
Intermediate Spanish as a Heritage Language: Spanish 212
Spanish 212 continues to emphasize all four language skills with a focus on literacy, reading, and writing skills. Traditional and popular cultures are incorporated to increase awareness of the linguistic, historical, and cultural situation in Northern New Mexico and the Spanish-speaking Southwest as a whole. Multimedia and community activities are utilized to develop and maximize comprehension and oral communication.
Spanish 111,112,211,212 courses will count for students’ proficiency requirements