Elem Spanish Heritage Spe

The principal aim of SPAN UN1108 is to build upon and further develop the informal knowledge of Spanish that heritage learners bring to the classroom—usually from family and neighborhood exposure to the language—and cultivate formal speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities. Students are not expected to have any academic training in written Spanish prior to enrolling in this course. Spanish heritage language courses at Columbia/Barnard focus on the development of communicative abilities and literacy from sociolinguistic and sociocultural approaches. Throughout the semester, students will be reviewing spelling patterns, building vocabulary, acquiring and effectively using learning strategies, and strengthening composition skills in Spanish. Cultural projects and readings reinforce learners’ understanding of the multiple issues related to the Hispanic cultures in the United States and in other Spanish-speaking societies. All elementary Spanish language courses (for both non-heritage and heritage learners alike) at Columbia/Barnard are fully conducted in Spanish, to provide students with maximum exposure to the language. All readings, class discussions, written assignments and course exams are entirely in Spanish. Assessment is based on students’ demonstrated acquisition and use of the language throughout the course, and their knowledge of topics covered in course readings and discussions