Reality Spanish® for All

Do you feel frustrated in your daily interactions when you can't speak with neighbors or customers?

Do your children bring home Spanish-speaking friends from school, and you can't speak with them or their parents?

Would you like some functional, relevant Spanish for a trip South of the border?

Let's change our thinking from: 'I can't learn a foreign language', to: 'I will quickly be able to just throw out some words to help me connect with my friends and neighbors'. You CAN do this!!

 Course description:
In Reality Spanish® for All, the language is geared to daily situations which occur currently across the U.S. or South of the border Commands are included which are used frequently to gather information and give directives around the community. Vocabulary is based on interactions between community members, and retail and service personnel. Common questions are included along with appropriate responses. 'Bites' of language are introduced and developed into narrative stories, dialogs and directives. The multi-sensory teaching techniques of the COLA® instructional system focus on speaking and listening, and a ‘mix and match’ approach encourages the customizing of language by students from the first class. The Interactive CD-ROM, Workbook, Audio CDs and Internet support extend student learning with instruction outside of class hours. Insights are given about some cultural differences which exist between Anglo Americans and Hispanic Americans, to ease misunderstandings that could occur within U.S. communities today.

Goal:
Participants will be able to communicate directly with Spanish-speaking community members in specific situations and develop greater understanding of their different cultural roots.

Methodology:
Students will experience multi-sensory learning activities in the classroom which expose them to abundant comprehensible input of new language. These activities include: physical movements and gestures, drawing and acting to demonstrate comprehension; spontaneous responses to questions in a conversational setting; small group and partner work to practice ‘bites’ of language; written and oral assignments.  The multi-sensory learning activities in the Reality Spanish® for All program reflect the COLA® Methodology of LingoLynx, LLC. This has been developed as a culmination of language acquisition techniques including Dr. Stephen Krashen’s The Natural Approach; Dr. James Asher’s Total Physical Response (TPR); Blaine Ray’s TPR Storytelling®. These language acquisition techniques have been coupled with additional multi-sensory learning activities, content reflecting the context of the healthcare environment, the specific needs and constraints of adult learners, and technology tools to create a unique instructional system.

Hours of Instruction:

If for credit: 12 face-to-face classes containing 2 ½ hours each of direct instruction. In addition, each student is expected to spend a minimum of two hours weekly interacting with the CD-ROM materials, research components, and follow-up assignments. This totals 30 hours of direct instructional time, plus independent study.

If no credit is desired: 24 hours of instruction can be formatted to fit your group's needs.

Attendance policy:
Students are expected to participate in all scheduled classes and come prepared with work for the next class. If a student needs to be absent, communication with the instructor and completion of appropriate make-up work are expected.

Course Content:

Key Topics:
Courtesy, personal information gathering, dates, times, locations, opening accounts, insurance and loan applications, personal descriptions and characteristics of people, injuries and pain, foods

Key phrases/commands:
How can I help you? Please fill out this form and sign it. Do you have an account with us? Did you have an accident? Tell me what she looks like. Lie down and relax until the doctor can see you. What’s for lunch?

Scenarios/dialogs:
In the office; At the bank; An accident; Personal descriptions; A medical emergency; Ordering at a restaurant

Cultural topics:
Immigration; Importance of family; Latino regions of the world; Low rider culture; Language barriers in healthcare;
Regional foods

Course requirements:

(the for-credit version)

1. Participation. Students will be graded on their participation in and readiness for the classes.
2. Assignments. These are written and spoken: written and spoken story per module, command phrases, dialogs, location descriptions, etc.
3. Journal. Students will submit a journal to their instructor. This will contain their reflections on their learning and the development of their connections with Spanish speaking community members and their families. They will comment on their cultural research also.

Textbooks/Materials:

Reality Spanish® for All: the multi-sensory, interactive CD-ROM program with printable text/workbook and a 3-pack of Audio CDs are required for all students. These materials are coordinated with classroom instruction, contain the six modules of course content, and follow exactly the learning targeted in this course. Authors: Gaye R. Jenkins, Ed. D., & Molly P. Schneider, M.Ed.