Intermediate Spanish

In Intermediate Spanish, students continue to develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. At this level, students have greater independence with the language and are encouraged to use it creatively and authentically. Vocabulary is acquired in a thematic and communicative way, and the grammatical topics that are practiced include: preterite and imperfect, familiar, formal and nosotros commands, future and conditional, present subjunctive. Students also study the culture of the Spanish-speaking world in the form of authentic literature, historical and literary figures, customs, celebrations, and music. Audio and video materials, Skype conferences, computer software, games, projects, and presentations foster student interaction and participation.

Course topics are briefly outlined below.

Prerequisites: Demonstration of mastery of Foundations of Spanish skills and Departmental Recommendation Required.

Great Films: In this course, students will nominate and vote for a Spanish-language film to watch and discuss throughout the trimester. In addition to building greater comfort with narration in the present and past, students will learn to predict future events and discuss what they would do in a given situation. Class activities will consist of discussions, oral and written responses, debates, and creative writing.

Health & Wellness: In this course, students will explore health-related topics including cultural context of food, access to healthcare, physical exercise, emotional well-being, and the importance of meditation and maintaining a healthy balance with technology. 

Identities and Narratives: In this course, students will explore their identities in the past, present, and future. They will do this by working with various themes such as important events in one’s past, dreams for the future, and communicating identity,  as they establish what it means to be an individual in the 21st century.

Immigrant Stories: In this course, students will explore stories of immigration from the Spanish-speaking world and the U.S. These stories will serve as windows and mirrors to students’ experiences and understandings. This class will discuss immigration through a lens that humanizes and broadens our awareness of its context and impact. Class activities will consist of discussions, creative writing, group projects, and written and oral reflections.

• Interests: Film, Health, Psychology
• Grades: 10th, 11th, 12th, 9th
• Subjects: Modern Languages