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.

Intermediate Elementary (Grades 3-6)
The purpose of this class is to introduce intermediate students to basic vocabulary and common expressions in Spanish, as well as to familiarize students with some of the basics of Spanish grammar. Students should have age-appropriate oral and written communication skills in the English language. The specific goals of this class include:

Instruction in limited targeted vocabulary groups and relation expressions
Learning limited, basic information about grammar and verbs so that students are able to create simple sentences (statements and questions)
Oral and written practice, as well as hands-on activities such as crafts, games and songs to reinforce the lesson

The class, based upon the workbook Let's Learn Spanish, will meet weekly from 1:30-2:30 pm on Tuesdays from September 8 - November 10, for a total of twelve lessons. The cost of the class is $100 which includes instruction, workbook and additional materials. Class size is a minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 12. Complete and submit the registration form by August 15.

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 II
The Spanish II class is a continuation of Spanish I 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 format will be the same as Spanish I. Objectives include:

Introducing more basic vocabulary
Presenting regular and irregular verbs in the preterit and imperfect tenses, past participles, verbs like gustar and the subjunctive mood
Providing instruction in the grammar structures of object pronouns, comparisons of inequality, and a continuation of many structures introduced in Spanish I
Recycling information learned in Spanish I
Providing practice in oral expression through conversations and presentations
Providing listening, reading and writing opportunities for practice

Students who have taken the Spanish I class or its equivalent are eligible for Spanish II. Students who did not take Spanish I 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 10:00 am to 11:30 am beginning September 3. The first semester schedule (15 meeting dates) will be provided upon registration. Class size is a minimum of six students. The cost includes all 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).

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. This is a slight increase from previous years due to the need for additional supplemental information to further enhance the program. Payment in full can be made at the time of registration or you may select to make two payments of $175 or eight payments of $44.

If making two payments, second payment is due on the first day of second semester. If making monthly payments, payments are due the first week of each month beginning in October, with the final payment due the first week of April.

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