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Spanish Language Essay Writing

Open to: Grades 2 - 12

Eligibility: CTY-level or Advanced CTY-level math or verbal score required

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Spanish for Elementary Students, Basic, Part IV (for grades 2-6) or Spanish Language, Basic, Part IV (for grades 7-12) or 2 years of Spanish study. Placement test available upon request.

Course Format: Session Based. See calendar for session dates and application deadlines.

Course Length: 12 weeks (Early Fall, Late Fall, Winter, Spring, Early Summer, Mid-Summer)

Course Code: SPEW

Course Description

Description

This course provides a unique approach to developing Spanish composition skills by focusing on descriptive, narrative, persuasive, informational, and comparative paragraph writing. High interest reading materials serve as the foundation for engaging discussions and compositional analysis. To prepare the student for advanced coursework, the course also includes grammar, usage, punctuation, vocabulary, and spelling. Students will become better writers, both in the classroom and in real-life situations.

Once students have successfully completed this course, they should develop:

Advanced writing proficiency in Spanish in a variety of formats.
The ability to follow a process approach to writing that covers description, narration, comparison, persuasion, and giving information.
Advanced proficiency in descriptive, narrative, comparative, persuasive, and informative writing.
Advanced knowledge of Spanish grammar.
Advanced proficiency in reading Spanish in order to become a better writer.
Knowledge of advanced spelling and punctuation rules in Spanish.
The ability to discuss reading topics and express opinions.

Materials Required

A microphone and headphones are required for this course.

Although a Spanish-English dictionary is not required, it may be useful as a personal reference for the duration of this course.

Detailed Course Information

Course Details

The following topics will be covered in the course:

Writing a fluid and transitional paragraph
Analyzing, discussing, and writing the Descriptive Essay
Analyzing discussing and writing the Narrative Essay
Analyzing, discussing, and writing the Comparative Essay
Analyzing, discussing, and writing the Persuasive Essay
Analyzing, discussing, and writing the Informative Essay
Description of Places and Weather
Description of People’s Emotional Attributes
Description of People’s Disposition

Technical Requirements

This course requires a properly maintained computer with high-speed internet access and an up-to-date web browser (such as Chrome or Firefox). The student must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.

This course uses an online virtual classroom for discussions with the instructor. The classroom works on standard computers with the Adobe Connect Add-in or Adobe Flash plugin, and also tablets or handhelds that support the Adobe Connect Mobile app. Students who are unable to attend live sessions will need a computer with the Adobe Connect Add-in or Adobe Flash plugin installed to watch recorded meetings. The Adobe Connect Add-in, Adobe Flash plugin, and Adobe Connect Mobile app are available for free download. Students who do not have the Flash plug-in installed or enabled on their browsers will be prompted to download and install the Adobe Connect add-in when accessing the virtual classroom.

Most course lectures may be viewed on mobile devices, but in some cases assignments and quizzes must be completed on a desktop or laptop computer.

This course uses Respondus LockDown Browser proctoring software for designated assessments. LockDown Browser is a client application that is installed to a local computer. Visit the Respondus website for system requirements.

While Chromebook can be used to progress through the course, all exams must be completed on a PC or Mac.