CAHSA | Spanish

Many homeschoolers have tried a variety of foreign language curricula rich in vocabulary but found frustration in developing key elements such as grammar, pronunciation and listening. High school students pursuing admission into a competitive university need two to four years of a second language, which most home programs don't include. Hopefully this Spanish program will be able to assist the various needs of home school teens.

The instructor, Ruth Black, holds a teaching degree in both English and Spanish. She has taught Spanish at the college level as well as in private settings for homeschoolers or mission teams. Ruth has used her language skills on trips to Costa Rica and Mexico and served as a translator with a medical team in the Dominican Republic. You may email her for further information.

Spanish I
The Spanish I course is open to anyone ages 13 and up who have had no Spanish or a limited exposure to the language. The material covered is equal to either a full year of high school Spanish I or a semester of college-level Spanish 101. The primary emphasis is upon the development of audio-lingual skills in practical and realistic everyday situations that are immediately meaningful to beginning students. A thorough knowledge of basic structures and grammar with some practice in reading, writing and culture will also be explored. Objectives include:

introducing basic vocabulary
presenting regular and irregular verbs in present tense, the present progressive and regular preterit (past) verbs
providing instruction in beginning grammar structures, including gender, number, pronouns and uses of ser and estar, saber and conocer, and por and para.
providing practice in oral expression through teacher-lead discussions, student-to-students conversations and presentations.

providing listening, reading, and writing opportunities to practice the target language.

Students who have studied Spanish previously may test for placement in higher level classes which will continue vocabulary development while adding more verb tenses and grammar structures such as direct object pronouns, adverbs and comparisons; more extensive writing and speaking exercises will enhance students' expression. The same text book is used throughout all levels to help with costs.

For 2009-2010, the class will meet at College Park Christian Church in Normal on Tuesdays from 10:00 am to 11:30 am beginning September 1. The first semester schedule (15 meeting dates) will be provided upon registration. Class size is limited to a minimum of six and maximum of twelve students. The cost includes all instruction, materials, and use of textbook. Three payment options are available; see the registration form for details. Students will use the provided text Claro que Si (Houghton Mifflin) while part of the class.

Spanish III
TSpanish III is a continuation of Spanish II and is open to anyone ages 14 and up. The material covered is equal to one year of high school Spanish or one semester of college Spanish. The class is open to anyone who has completed two years of Spanish. The format will be similar to Spanish I and II, but assignments will include more reading, writing, and speaking.

Introducing more vocabulary, especially related to foreign travel
Reviewing/presenting perfect tenses, commands, more uses and forms of the subjunctive mood, and future and conditional tenses
Reviewing /presenting grammar structures including nominalization, more on possessives, other uses of por, more relative pronouns, expressing probability, and expressing reciprocal actions
Recycling information from previous years
Providing practice in oral expression though conversations and presentations
Providing a higher functional level of practice in all skills
Reading a short play or novel

Students who have completed Spanish II or its equivalent are eligible for Spanish III. Students who did not take Spanish I/II from the instructor may need to be tested to assure correct placement.

For 2009-2010, the class will meet at College Park Christian Church Thursdays from 1:00-2:30 pm beginning September 3. The first semester schedule (15 meeting dates) will be provided upon registration. Class size is a minimum of six students. Tuition includes instruction, materials, and use of textbook. Three payment options are available; see the registration form for details. Students will continue in the provided text, ¡Claro que si! (Houghton Mifflin).

Payment Plans

Annual cost for a class is $340. You may choose one of the following payment options:
Payment in full can be made at the time of registration.
Two payments of $175, one at registration and the second payment on the first day of second semester.
Eight monthly payments of $44 due the first week of each month beginning in October, with the final payment due the first week of April.

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