Course Syllabus

Course Structure

Course Description

This course is the 2^nd part of 1^st year college Spanish. Students will improve basic language skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing at the novice level (see ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines pp. 9, 14, 19, 24).  This course is designed for those with basic Spanish skills and/or those with no more than 3 years of high school Spanish. Not appropriate for native speakers, Spanish-speaking returned missionaries or those with strong intermediate-advanced Spanish skills. You can find more information about class placement here.

Course Objectives

1. Speak about the past, present and future using simple sentences and answer basic questions with appropriate responses.
2. Identify the main points and some supporting details of short readings and native-speaker speech.
3. Write simple paragraphs; identify and correct basic written mistakes.
4. Identify various similarities and differences between local cultures and Hispanic cultures.
5. Describe the ways in which learning Spanish and about Hispanic cultures helps to become a better disciple of Christ and identify how the Lord can help in learning languages.

Course Schedule

The course has been designed to follow a weekly schedule in which students complete two lessons—book chapters—every three weeks. The instructor may shift the order of completion for some assignment and may even extend the deadlines on a few assignments if circumstances warrant it for the whole class. However, for most assignments and quizzes, students are expected to have them all completed by Saturday 11:59 p.m. (mountain time) each week. For most assignments, there will be a penalty of 5% per day late.

In order to help students plan out their weekly schedule, every Thursday at 12:00 p.m. (mountain time) students will be given access to the following week’s learning activities for the next week's lesson. Essentially, students will be given access to two weeks at a time. This is done so that students will be able to work on those lessons over the weekend if they choose to do so. Students are not required to complete the following week’s learning until the week it is due.

On average, it takes approximately 12 hours to complete all the learning activities for each lesson. With these classes, there is no "time off" for holidays like students might get in face-to-face classes. Consequently, students should make sure to arrange their study schedule so that holiday activities do not keep them from completing learning activities.

Feedback on assignments will be provided regularly through Canvas, the McGraw-Hill platform, and on occasion Google Docs. Students are responsible for ensuring they have consistent access to each of these platforms in order to review instructor feedback and assessment details in a timely manner.

Required Materials

This course uses a low-cost, auto-access textbook. Read the information in the Textbook Information module to learn how to access your textbook.

IMPORTANT: This course requires McGraw-Hill Connect access to complete the activity and assignments as well as reading book Esperanza. Please DO NOT OPT OUT of materials for this course. It is necessary for the integration to properly work in the course.

McGraw-Hill Account

This course uses McGraw-Hill Connect activities. If you have not previously created one for a BYU-Idaho course, you are required to create a McGraw-Hill account. Instructions, found on the About Your Textbook page, guide you to complete the necessary steps for setup.

Esperanza

Instructions to purchase/access Esperanza:

1. Sign up for a free Learning Site Student Account here. (For instructions on how to sign up, click here)
2. Purchase a digital copy of Esperanza here. Be sure to select the "Student Digital Package (FlexText®+Explorer)" from the drop-down menu and follow the steps to purchase the eBook. This will get you a code to access to the digital version of the book (you will NOT receive a printed copy).
3. Return to your Wayside Learning Site Student Account and follow these instructions to unlock and activate your FlexText with your student access code.
4. You can now access your eBook on the Learning Site by clicking on "FlexText".

*If you run into any problems or have any questions, please call Wayside customer support at (888) 302-2519 or visit their Customer Service Website

McGraw-Hill Connect Activities

You will complete regular assignments on McGraw-Hill Connect. All Connect assignments are open book, with unlimited attempts. Late submissions are accepted with a 5% penalty per day late. If you find you are confused while completing the activities, re-read the instructions to make sure you understand what is being asked and refer to the textbook for guidance. If you are still stuck, email the instructor or T.A.

You are NOT allowed to use an online translator nor have another person or AI do the work for you! However, a tutor, AI or a friend may help you review grammar concepts found in an activity or look over your answers and point out patterns of errors, but they can’t do the work for you. 

Communication Practice

This course is designed around the premise that your language ability will become better through authentic communication. This includes writing, listening, reading and speaking activities:

Speaking: Conversation Practice

Given that this in an asynchronous online course without in-person opportunities to practice speaking, the conversation labs are one of the most important--and engaging--parts of this course. Therefore, you will be required to do the following:

• Attend two synchronous conversation lab sessions each week (except for Week 08 and Week 14 when you will do one lab). The sessions will be 30 minutes long, and attendance is required.
• You will be provided several different lab sessions for you to choose from; we encourage you to attempt to attend the same day and time every week to help build relationships and connections.
• The TA will direct all of the activities throughout each session.
• If you are close to campus, you may attend the in-person Conversation Lab if desired.

You may attend a meeting with the TA or TAs of their choice. (Spanish 101 courses share TAs across all sections, so a variety of TAs leads the conversation labs). There are several sections this semester, and TAs will try to set their schedules and meeting times to best accommodate the most students. The schedule is typically available the middle of the first week of the semester after we arrange the schedule with all of the TAs. Attendance is taken for the purpose of verifying students’ Weekly Reports of lab attendance.

It is your responsibility to come prepared for each conversation lab. Because the sessions involve all group members interacting with one another, it is crucial that you come to each session prepared to teach one another.

Listening: Listening Practice

Each week you will spend time listening to native Spanish from a variety of sources. When possible, you should read along with the words and mimic correct pronunciation. You will submit a brief report of your listening practice on Canvas.

Reading: Esperanza

Beginning Week 3, you will be reading one chapter from the Esperanza book and answering comprehension questions. Every two weeks, you will be participating in Discussions in which you reflect on the previous two chapters of the book. Finally, during Week 14, you will write a brief reflection paper in Spanish related to the book.

Assessments

Chapter tests

There will be seven chapter tests taken on Canvas using Proctorio. Questions include multiple choice, matching, and fill-in-the-blank, as well as some listening and reading comprehension sections with true/false or multiple-choice questions. The Ch. 17 test will be optional, and the grade can replace another lower exam grade.

Writing Assessments

Three times during the semester, in addition to the chapter test, you will have 60 minutes to write responses to questions using the grammar and vocab. from the previous units. You will not be able to use any outside resources for these writings. You will be graded on grammatical accuracy, vocabulary, and content.

Oral Exams

There are two oral-interview exams. For each exam, you will converse with the instructor or T.A. for about 5 minutes. Your punctuality, fluency/pronunciation, grammar/vocabulary and ability to respond appropriately to the questions will be evaluated. There are NO make-ups for oral exams!

Final Exam

The final exam is comprehensive, covering chapters 8-12, 15, and 17.

Unique Requirements

Exams in this course are remotely proctored and are closed note/book. You will need to install Proctorio on your computer when required to take a proctored exam. The exams will be within Canvas. If you have any problems with the test, please contact the number that you are provided to get immediate help with the exam working properly if needed.

Grading Policies

Grading Scale

Grades will be based on a percentage of the total number of points students may earn from assignments and exams, participation in online class meetings, and completion of any other learning activities assigned by the instructor. Grades will be determined as follows:

Students may check their total number of points for all assignments and exams at any time using the "My Grades" link on the Course Menu.

Extra Credit

You will have the opportunity to get extra credit throughout the semester:

• Complete the optional "LearnSmart" activities to review grammar and vocab. For each LearnSmart activity you complete, you can earn 1 extra credit point for the exam (or 2% per point). 
• Complete the Mid-semester Feedback Survey to get 2% extra credit on the midterm exam.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in this Course

Students should NOT use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist with completing any assignments unless they have specific permission and guidance from an instructor. AI tools include ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Bard, CopyAI, Writesonic, Jasper AI, Anyword, GrammarlyGo, and many others. Some teachers may ask students to use AI for specific purposes, but if not, students should assume that they must ask for permission in order to use AI tools or simply not use AI at all. If students aren’t sure of an instructor’s policies on a given assignment, they should ask for clarification. 

 Dishonest uses

• Giving the AI a prompt and submitting what it writes (even just one sentence) as your own work. 
• Combining content from several different AI prompts and submitting as your own work. 
• Having AI help write or revise answers/wording on an assignment.

Permitted uses

• As a tutor to explain grammar concepts or practice vocabulary
• To generate flashcards, study guides, practice tests/quizzes
• As a conversation partner for practice outside of class 

University Policies

Academic Honesty

Other than exams, assignments are open book/note. However, you are NOT allowed to use an online translator nor have another person or AI do the work for you! A tutor, a website, AI or a friend may help you review grammar concepts found in an activity or look over your answers and point out patterns of errors, but they can’t do—or even revise—your work! Any violation of the University’s Academic Honesty Policy may result in a failing grade for the affected assignment or a failing grade in the course. In addition, instructors will report academic honesty violations to the Student Honor Office.

Personal Challenges

1. Dean of Students Office: a central place for students to seek support in navigating personal challenges. 290 Kimball Building, 208-496-9200
2. Counseling Center: licensed counselors who assist students in identifying and resolving emotional, mental, and interpersonal problems. Student Health Center 200, 208-496-9370
3. 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Hotline: Available 24/7 by call or text message, the 988 hotline connects you to a trained crisis counselor who provides free and confidential emotional support and crisis counseling to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress and connects them to resources.

Course Accommodations

Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that accommodates qualified persons with special needs. If you have special needs due to a learning, physical, or other disability/disorder, please contact Accessibility Services Office at (208) 496-9210 or visit their website and follow the Steps for Receiving Accommodations. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented needs. Services are coordinated with students and instructors by the Accessibility Services Office.

Other University Policies

Student Honor and Other Policies

Please read through the document called University Policies. It gives important information about the following topics:

• Student Honor
  • Academic Honesty
  • Student Conduct
    • Sexual Harassment
• Student with Disabilities
• Complaints and Grievances
• Copyright Notice

Go to the Student Resources module to review further resources and information.

Resources

Help Desk

If any technical difficulties arise through out the course, contact the Help Desk before contacting the instructor.

Help Desk:

BYU-Idaho Help Desk 1-208-496-1411 or helpdesk@byui.edu