COLEGIO JORGE WASHINGTON
SPANISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE SYLLABUS
ELEMENTARY LEVEL
SCHOOL YEAR 2011-2012
Description of the Course:
The main idea of the SSL class is to help the North American and other foreign students whose mother tongue is not Spanish, to reinforce and speed up the process of learning this language, which we believe is very important. This will help the students get along better in Colombia, and will be very useful for their future.
SSL students usually have an average of five weekly hours of class, which allows them to have an almost intensive exposure to the language, besides the fact that they also attend Music, Art, Drama and Physical Education, which are in Spanish. Some also attend Religion class.
General Contents:
As all language courses, students begin with the basic vocabulary and a gradual introduction of grammar aspects. They begin learning how to use the present tenses, and then move on to the past forms. In the Elementary level, we believe that learning through activities, projects and games is important.
Evaluation:
During the three Trimesters that the school year has, the evaluation is as follows:
- Quizzes and tests (One very one or two weeks).
- Homework
- Projects
- Reading: Fluency and comprehension levels.
- Writing: evaluation of spelling.
Each of these aspects is worth 20% of the total grade.
Rules of the class:
A proper behavior is extremely important, in order to assure learning. Together with the common rules necessary to have a good class environment, we add:
Remember to bring to class your notebook, homework, and any other material that you took home. Since SSL classes are usually in the library, the student is not allowed to walk back to his-her classroom to get this material, after the class has started.
We try speaking one at a time, without interrupting. This is respecting others.
Fridays are days established for an activity called Show and Tell. This is the only day in which students can bring, if they want, something like an electronic device, a toy, a book, a pet. Electronics and toys in class are not allowed on any other day of the week.
There is a list of seven other rules in the classroom, which students have read and agreed with at the beginning of the school year.
Teacher´s contact information:
Thank you.