Mrs. Soberon's español virtual

Through cultural and historical festivities and events, we will explore the hispanic world and its many countries and cultures. We will use authentic materials such as literature, short stories and poetry, film and pictoral images and PowerPoint to discover and discuss with Spanish as our main communicative goal.

For Oregon State Standards and Curriculum information, please see "My Resources" at left then click >>Oregon Department of Education Second Language Standards of Learning, or Second Language and Curriculum Goals. Please see "My Calendar" at top right for weekly goals, objectives and corresponding links. To view current PowerPoints, please go to "My Resources" at left then click >>My Powerpoints. To see slide shows of cool pix of México and España, see "My Slide Shows" at top right.

This year our focus is on improving student fluency: the ability to comprehend more and produce more. Our goal is that students be able to communicate minimally in the target language early on, leading to practical language use and functionability at the highest level possible. Students are encouraged to think critically, question their cultural assumptions about Hispanics and other cultures in general, and to attempt to find ways to use Spanish outside the classroom and in the community.

A video instructional series in Spanish for college and high school classrooms consisting of 52 half-hour video programs divided into two parts (Part I programs 1-26, Part II programs 27-52), Destinos teaches speaking, listening, and comprehension skills in Spanish. This telenovela, or Spanish soap opera, immerses students in everyday situations with native speakers and introduces the cultures, accents, and dialects of Mexico, Spain, Argentina, and Puerto Rico. Understanding of Spanish and appreciation of many Hispanic cultures increases as students become absorbed in the mysterious and entertaining story. Closed captioning in Spanish can be used as a teaching and literacy resource. Worksheets and activites focus on specific grammar topics and communication in the target language is our constant goal.

Using TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling), stronger emphasis is placed on communication skills (Speaking and Listening) using a more natural approach to language acquisition.

Reading and Writing are also important to state Standards and Curriculum Goals and are a key part of both the TPRS program and Destinos.

For practice, fun and information about Spanish and Spanish cultures, see "My Links" at left.

large view La puerta de Alcala	large view Las Cibeles, Madrid
large view Calendario Azteca	large view Kukulcan - Chichen Itza
En Sevilla con mis alumnos, 2007	large view Bajo el sol en Catalonia