Note: A placement exam will be required when you arrive on site.

Intermediate

This course is designed for students who have completed or tested out of a minimum of two semesters (or three quarters) of college-level Spanish. However, students must take a placement exam to determine the course level into which they will be able to enroll.

Objective: This course level is seen as a transition in which the student will reach a more complete level of communication which allows him/her to interact fairly well with native speakers. Previously unknown vocabulary and situations will be used. The student will be introduced to new, more complex structures that will help him/her in this communication.

Technique: At this level, a mixture of the communicative and traditional methods is used. The communicative method is used to further the student's ability to function within society. The more traditional method, concentrating on grammatical structures, helps the student move from a basic ability to speak to an accuracy within this speech.

Grades: Students grades will be based on the scores that they receive on several exams, written assignments and homework. A component of the grade will also be based on attendance/participation.

Overview of course content:

The specific grammar points to be covered at this level include:

1. The verbs ser/estar
2. The verb gustar
3. Comparisons with más/menos, tan/tanto
4. Commands
5. Preterite, imperfect and perfect verb tenses
6. Direct and indirect object pronouns
7. Subjunctive in adverbial clauses

The course should help students to increase their proficiency in the following communicative skills:

1. Describing and comparing
2. Reacting, Recommending and Requesting
3. Narrating in the past
4. Talking about likes and dislikes
5. Hypothesizing
6. Talking about the future