DEAR STUDENT,

The possibilities are endless in this class! It may be quite different from the classes you’ve taken before. We do a lot of movement, a lot of standing, much learning, and… NO TALKING IN ENGLISH!

Q: But, this is “America,” Mrs. Lucas, we’re SUPPOSED TO speak ENGLISH! A: Of course! I encourage you to speak English in your other classes (although it would be very cool if Mr. Loman or Mr. Grady complained to me that their students were speaking Spanish in class!) and everywhere else it is appropriate. We speak only in Spanish in my class because it is proven that students learn other languages better in an immersion (in this case, all-Spanish) environment.

Q: But, what if I need to speak English about something really important? A: If you are bleeding, having a heart attack, about to faint or go into a seizure; if a school shooter is at the window, then let me know right away. Otherwise, you’ll surprise yourself about how much you can get done using gestures, grunts, drawing and the Spanish that you learn in class. It will be frustrating, but you will find there is a time that you understand most of what I’m saying and that you are able to get your basic needs met.

Q: Aren’t we going to sit down and work from a textbook? A: No. You will learn most of the vocabulary and verbs you would find in a textbook and MUCH more. In my class, we use a method we call “Organic Language Acquisition,” which means you start learning the vocabulary and verbs you need to talk about yourself, other students in the room, the room itself, your classes, your family, friends, community, and so on in a natural way. Have you ever heard this, “That’s a good question, Billy! Why don’t you save that for when we get to the food unit?” In this class, we can start talking about food right away – the class is based on your interests! In this way we make our own special class. Don’t worry; you’ll be able to do anything a student in a textbook class can do, too. Maybe not in the same order, but by the end of the year, you will see your ability to speak and write in Spanish ROCKS!!

I promise… I have very high standards for this course, but all you need to do to be successful is to be on time, respect me and other students, follow directions as best you can, and SPEAK SPANISH. I promise I will always respect you, try my best to be fair and consistent, and to make the class as fun as I can with YOUR help. I believe that EVERY student can learn, so I will be very persistent about building your proficiency in this beautiful and useful language.

Expectations/Reglas  Each student will participate every day, in every activity of the circle—requires more attention & participation than before!  No side talking while in the circle  RESPECT each other!!  Don’t be in the same place every day in the circle…I may move you so you are not by your friends, or partner you with people you don’t know  No inglés!! En español!! Speak as much as you can en español…that’s how you learn. Some of you don’t know much yet…so that means you won’t be talking too much!!  When I ask you to speak with 5 people or to speak with your neighbor, you actually do it! only in Spanish!

Housekeeping/Grades  Weekly class participation grade. You will:  Speak ONLY in Spanish  Participate in activities  Stand up an be part of the circle  Complete all assignments in composition book  Come to class prepared  You will lose participation points if I have to correct your behavior or if you are unprepared.  If you are not here, you will be marked down because you are missing the opportunity to speak & hear Spanish for an hour.  Homework: 2 or 3 days a week and we will generally use the homework the next day in the circle.

Materials  Every day you must bring  Composition notebook  Pencil or pen  Dry erase marker You will put these items on the floor in front of you when class begins

ACTFL pt. 1

ACTFL Immersion

Who uses this? Used by the US Department of Defense Used by missionary training schools

They produce results in just a few months. Why? - Spend up to 8 hours a day in the training programs. - Hours of work after classes. -Complete immersion. What do they have that is different?

Highly motivated Aptitude

How is high school a different experience? Only 4-5 hours a week Aptitude Distractions English outside of class English in class

Levels United States Department of Defense Levels 1 – 5 All very advanced levels with a 5 being someone who appeared to be from that country. (know the children´s songs, anthems, culture, etc.)

ACTFL created a new way to rate language speakers in the level ‘1’

Novice The Parrot

Novice Speech limited to memorized material - Lists -Short phrases -Some memorized sentences

Intermediate The Survivor

Intermediate Can create with the language Can ask and answer simple questions on familiar topics Can handle a simple situation or transaction Complete sentences (Intermediate Mid – complex sentences)

Advanced The Storyteller

Advanced Can narrate and describe in past, present and future time/aspect Can handle a complicated situation or transaction Paragraph length discourse

Superior The Thinker

Superior Can support opinion, hypothesize, discuss abstract topics Can handle a linguistically unfamiliar situation Highly educated speaker

College Credit Think of where you could be after FOUR years!!! 8-20 college credits NH – 8 credits IL – 12 credits IM – 20 credits

YOU What level do you think YOU can reach?! Where would YOU like to be??!! What are you going to learn this year?! What are you going to do to help others?

Discussion  Please work with a partner to fill out the worksheet about ACTFL

Goal-Setting  Answer the questions on the worksheet INDIVIDUALLY AND QUIETLY, please.  Discuss in small groups  Discuss as whole class  What makes a class run smoothly?  Create a class goal

LA TAREA 1. Type your goals and make them look professional. Bring them to class tomorrow. 2. Have a parent/guardian sign the last page of your syllabus/course expectations handout.