Northern Virginia Community CollegeWoodbridge Campus – Spring 2012

Beginning Spanish 102-003WTuesday 7:00pm – 10:00pm, online

Instructor: Alandra Simmons[1]E-mail:

Office Hours: 6:30pm – 7:00pm Tues/by apptWebsite:

Description: Spanish 102 is the second semester of the introductory Spanish course. This semester, we will cover chapters 6 through 10 of the ¡Arriba! series. This course continues to focus on the four language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The course emphasizes student comprehension and production of simple syntactic sentence patterns. Students will grow in linguistic maturity both passively and actively through increasingly difficult language tasks encompassing the four communication skills. Spanish will be the language used in the classroom. This beginning Spanish course is for people who have some basic knowledge of the Spanishlanguage. The prerequisite for SPA 102 is successful completion of SPA 101 or qualification from the SPA placement examination. Students should take Spanish 201 and 202 after successful completion of Spanish 102.

Required Course Materials:

  • TEXTBOOK: Zayas-Bazan, Eduardo et al. ¡Arriba! Comunicación y cultura. 6 th Edition. Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2011.

WORKBOOK: Zayas-Bazan, Eduardo et al. ¡Arriba! Comunicación y cultura. 6th Edition. Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2011.

  • WEBSITE:
  • COMPUTER: Internet connection, Microsoft Word, speakers, and microphone.

Minimal Technical Skills Expected of Students: Students should be familiar with using a computer and must be competent in using Blackboard.

Minimal Technical Requirements for the Course: To determine whether you have the necessary computer hardware and software, here is a brief summary of technical requirements:

Windows System Requirements

  • Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Vista
  • Internet Explorer 6.0 SP2, Netscape 9, Firefox 2.0.0.6 or later
  • 28.8 kbps or faster Internet connection
  • P350+ MHz, 128+ MB Memory
  • 800x600 16-bit color display or better

Apple System Requirements

  • Mac OS/X 10.4.4, 10.5.x
  • Safari 2.0.1, FireFox 2.0.0.6 or later
  • Local Area Network or Broadband Connection
  • G4 700 MHz PowerPC, 384 MB Memory
  • Display color depth: Thousands of colors

Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Understand short, learned material and some sentence-length content, particularly where context strongly supports understanding and speech is clearly audible; understand simple questions, statements and high-frequency commands as well as video topics adapted for their use, although repetition, rephrasing and/or slower rate of speech for comprehension may still be required.
  • Handle a limited number of interactive, task oriented and social situations; ask and answer questions; initiate and respond to simple statements, and maintain face-to face conversations all in a highly restricted manner and with some linguistic inaccuracy. Within these limitations, the student will be able to describe people and places, narrate recurring events in the present tense and achieve some ability to narrate past events. Vocabulary is adequate to express the basic needs. Strong interference from native language may occur. With repetition, sympathetic listeners generally understand speakers at this level.
  • Interpret almost any simple material for native speakers. Such texts are linguistically noncomplex and have a clear underlying internal structure, for example chronological sequencing. They impart basic information about which the reader has to make only minimal suppositions or to which the reader brings personal interest and/or knowledge.
  • Meet limited practical writing needs in the present tense and some in the past tense; write short messages, postcards, and take down simple notes, and create statements or questions within the scope of limited language experience. The material produced consists of recombinations of learned vocabulary and structures into simple sentences on very familiar topics. The language is adequate to express elementary needs in writing. While frequent errors in grammar, vocabulary, punctuation and spelling will still be present, native speakers can understand the writing of non-native speakers.

Academic Concerns: If you have a concern regarding your academic evaluation or a related issue, please request an appointment and we will schedule a meeting at a mutually agreeable time.

Academic Honesty: At NOVA, we expect the highest standards of academic honesty. This course will adhere to the academic honesty policy on pages 72 and 73 of the NVCC 2011-2013 Student Handbook. Students must complete all assignments without assistance from peers, advanced Spanish students, or native speakers, unless otherwise indicated by the instructor. While on-line dictionaries are encouraged, translators are prohibited. Outside help, plagiarizing, and copyright infringements are considered cheating. They will result in a zero on the assignment and are grounds for removal from the course. Students may use tutorsafter they have tried the work independently.

Blackboard Assistance: To receive more information on how to use Blackboard, please click on the “VCCS Help” tab at the top of the homepage (it’s the site you are linked to when you sign on). For further assistance, please contact the NVCC IT Help Desk at (703) 426-4141. Go to the and then look for the student link to update your personal information.

Classroom Behavior: This course will adhere to the student conduct policy on pages 66-67 of the NVCC 2011-2013 Student Handbook. Students shouldsilent or turn off all electronic devices.

Emergency Class Cancellation: Classes will take place unless the college is officially closed. In the event of inclement weather, please listen to local radio and television stations for the latest information to schedule changes. You can also refer to the following college website:

Emergency Evacuation Procedures:

Become familiar with posted evacuation routes. Established alternate routes can be used in the event primary route is blocked or unsafe. During evacuation: Evacuate quickly; follow instructions from emergency personnel and follow the directions provided for safe routes of evacuation; check doors for heat before opening; close the door as you exit your room or office; dress appropriately for the weather; take personal belongings; turn off unnecessary equipment computers and appliances; walk, do not run; do not push or crowd; keep noise to a minimum so you can hear emergency instructions; use handrails in stairwells, stay to the right; assist people with disabilities to the Areas of Rescue Assistance; listen to a radio, if available, to monitor emergency status.

Shelter in Place: When directed to shelter-in-place: Stay inside the building (or go indoors as quickly as possible); do not use elevators; if possible, go to a room or corridor where there are no windows and few doors; if there is time, shut and lock all windows and doors, (locking the door may provide a better seal on the door against chemicals); in the event of a chemical release, go to an above ground level of the building, some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements even if windows are closed; turn of the heat, fans, air conditioning or ventilation system, if you have local control of the systems; drink bottled water or stored water, not water from the tap.

Instructor Illness: If the instructor is not in class due to illness, check the “Announcements” in Blackboard for instructions.

Netiquette Policy: This policy describes proper demeanor in Internet communications. It is important that you are familiar with and adhere to the class netiquette policy posted on Blackboard.

Tutoring: Tutoring may be available at the Woodbridge campus in room 328. Please call 703-878-5657 for additional information.

Students with Special Needs: The College is committed to the goal of providing each qualified student an equal opportunity to pursue a college education regardless of disability. The instructor will make every effort to meet reasonable requests for services to students with disabilities eligible under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact a Counselor for Disability Services in the Student Services or Counseling Center of any campus to discuss possible accommodations. The following website link provides additional information and the contact information for a Counselor for Disability Services at each of the NOVA campuses,

Library, Woodbridge Campus: Information, including hours and directions, are located at

16-Week Session Important Dates
Classes begin / January 9
Schedule adjustments (add/drop/swap - on NOVAConnect) without Permission / January 9-16
Martin Luther King Holiday; no class / January 16
Late schedule additions, permission required / January 17-23
Drops on NOVA Connect with tuition refund / January 17-26
Last day to drop with tuition refund or change to audit (Census Date)** / January 26
Last day to apply for Spring graduation / March 1
Spring Break; no class / March 5-11
Last day to withdraw without grade penalty / March 23
Final exam week / May 1-7

Instructional Methodology: Since this is a hybrid course, each student will independently complete all assignments and quizzes by following the instructions provided in Blackboard for each assignment/quiz each week; students need to log into Blackboard at least one time each week and review the assignment/quiz instructions each week and complete and submit to the instructor the required assignments/quizzes prior to or on the scheduled due date. Students will submit their written homework assignments to the instructor using their Virginia Community College System (VCCS) student e-mail account. Students will complete and submit each of the electronic quizzes that are available in Blackboard by following the instructions provided for each quiz in Blackboard.

Evaluation: The instructor will grade work according to NVCC’s 100% point scale:

Percentage:A = 100 – 90B = 89 – 80C = 79 – 70D = 69 – 60F = 59 and below

Points Scale: A = 700 – 630B = 629 – 560C = 559 – 490D = 489 – 420F = 419 and below

220 pointsExams (2)

100 pointsStudent Activities Workbook Homework (5)

100 pointsCultural Discussion Boards (5)

100 pointsWeb Practice Exams (5)

96 pointsEscrituras / Oral assignments (4)

84 pointsParticipation (includes 2 pts online attendance and completion of work, 2 pts face-to-face attendance, and 2 pts participation)

There will be 16 learning modules in this course, one for each week. Each week will begin on Tuesday and end on Monday at 11:59pm. Detailed information (rubrics, etc.) pertaining to the assignments can be found on Blackboard. LATE WORK isNOT accepted. Please make sureyou follow the deadlines on the schedule. If a student provides a documented excuse, he/shecan submit the missed work no later than one week after the assignment is initially due.

  • EXAMS: This class will have a mid-term exam and a final exam. The mid-term and final exam will be in-class on the specified dates. Make-up tests will be at the discretion of the instructor. Students must notify the instructor in advance of missing an exam. A documented excuse (from a doctor, etc., not parent) will be necessary before the student can make up the exam.
  • STUDENT ACTIVITIES WORKBOOK HOMEWORK: Students should write exercises in the workbook pages. The assignments will be checked for completion at the end of each chapter. Each part of the workbook is worth 10 points, totaling 20 points for each chapter.
  • DISCUSSION BOARDS: A discussion board topic will be posted for each chapter. It is the student’s responsibility to answer the discussion board with at least one paragraph (5-7 sentences)in English (unless stated otherwise)and respond to two other students’ posts. Students must provide sources for their information; copying and pasting from websites is not acceptable. Once the discussion board closes, no more posts will be accepted.
  • WEB PRACTICE EXAMS: Students will complete 5 practice exams (1 per chapter) this semester. The exam due dates can be found on the course schedule. If you do not receive a 70% or higher on the first attempt, you must continue to re-take the exam until you receive a 70% or better. E-mail the results to your instructor. I also recommend bringing a copy to the exam reviews. Practice exams are located at:
  • ESCRITURAS: Your ability to write in Spanish will be evaluated on two occasions. All graded assignments should be typed, double space, with Times New Roman 12PT font, and 1 inch margins. Each assignment should be between 125 and 150 words. Please be sure to include your name, course number, number of writing (eg. Escritura # 1…), and the word count of each assignment. I will not accept writings in any other format. Be careful with accent marks, they are required.
  • PRESENTACIONES ORALES: Your ability to speak Spanish will be evaluated on two occasions with presentations. The class presentations will be on a topic pertaining to the specific chapter being covered. You may use notes for the oral presentation; however, reading is not permitted.
  • PARTICIPATION: Attendance and participation is extremely important when learning a foreign language. Thus, participation is graded on regular online and class preparation and participation, as well as attendance. It is essential that each student come to class prepared.
  • ATTENDANCE: Unexcused absences will affect students’ attendance grade. Students may havetwo (2) excused classroom absences during the entire course. However, online participation is required each week. Students who miss more than 25% of the total class meetings will receive a 0 for participation. Leaving early and habitual tardiness will not betolerated and will also affect students’ participation grade. A student entering the classroom after the class is already in progress will be counted tardy. After being tardy three times, the fourth late arrival will be considered an absence. Any tardy thereafter will also be counted as an absence. The same policy will be applied to early departures. Four or more early departures will count as absences. Sometimes situations arise which may cause a student to leave early or be a few minutes late. If this is the case, please make prior arrangements with the instructor.
  • IN-CLASS PARTICIPATION: In-class participation is an essential part of learning a foreign language. Each student will be expected to participate frequently during each class. Lack of participation will result in a low participation grade.
  • ONLINE PARTICIPATION: Each student must log-in to Blackboard at least once a week and complete the assignments to receive full participation points.

** The policies and schedule in this syllabus are subject to change at any time; if anything is changed, the instructor will notify students.

[1]E-mail is the best way to communicate with the instructor. With the exception of Saturday and Sunday, the instructor will respond to your inquiries within 24 hours.