Summary
Watch this short video about why our online Language program is one of the best in the country!
This practical beginner’s course (A1.1), developed fully by UW-Madison for adult language learners, explores the cultural richness of the Spanish-speaking world while helping you master the basics of Spanish. Learn to talk about life, family, work and travel with our award-winning approach.
Our unique materials allow you to listen to the voices and stories of speakers from more than 10 different Spanish-speaking countries. A proven communicative approach emphasizes speaking competency while also building skills in listening, reading and writing. See Outline for complete details. Participants with no previous experience with Spanish are encouraged to begin with Spanish 0. All materials included.
Prerequisite: None.
Find out if this is the right level for you with these placement tests: Spanish 1 self-placement test, Spanish 2 self-placement test.
Want to know more about learning a language online? Read Dr. Julie Dahl's blog post about our online course format.
Course format
You will practice speaking in weekly 30-minute online sessions led by an experienced instructor, with a maximum of 3-6 other participants. In order to get to know all of your classmates, your conversation time will vary between the first or second 30-minute time slot of the hour you registered for. You should be available for either.
The live online sessions begin one week after the scheduled course start date to allow time to work through the first unit of learning material in preparation for the live conversation practice.
Online course materials introduce new grammar and vocabulary and teach pronunciation, listening, and reading skills through videos, audio, and interactive exercises. Budget 3-4 hours a week to work through the online asynchronous content.
Course materials become available online on the scheduled course start date and remain accessible for one month after the course ends.
A printable workbook (PDF) is included in the price. All other materials are available through the course platform.
Sections anticipated for spring 2024 (See upcoming dates for open sections and more detail):
Tuesdays, Jan. 7–March 18, 5:30–6:30 p.m. CT
Wednesdays, Jan. 22–April 9, 5:30–6:30 p.m. CT (No virtual conversation on March 26)
Thursdays, Feb. 6–April 24, 5–6 p.m. CT (No virtual conversation on March 27)
Tuesdays, Feb. 18–May 6. 5:30–6:30 p.m. CT (No virtual conversation on March 25)
Wednesdays, April 1–June 10, 8:30–9:30 a.m. CT
Thursdays, April 2–June 11, 5:30–6:30 p.m. CT
Course Outline
Course outline
Below are the themes and language outcomes for each unit. Each unit also contains 10-15 listening activities, an extended reading activity, review dialogues and cultural information related to the unit theme.
Unidad 1: Greetings
- Common greetings and goodbyes
- Asking and answering common questions: name, place of origin, telephone number
- Formal vs. informal address
- Numbers 0-10
- Pronunciation: Y and LL
Unidad 2: We are speaking!
- Getting to know each other
- Personal pronouns
- Conjugating regular –ar verbs in the present tense
- The verb ser
- Interrogative words and forming questions
- Numbers 11-20
- Names of languages
- Pronunciation: C, S and Z
Unidad 3: My activities
- Talking about common activities
- Strategies for forming and answering questions
- Days of the week
- Gender of nouns and making nouns plural
- The definite articles el/las/los/las
- Conjugating -er and -ir verbs in the present tense.
- Pronunciation: Ñ
Unidad 4: My work
- Talking about professions
- The indefinite articles un/una/unos/unas
- The verbs estar, ir and dar
- Talking about frequency of activities
- Pronunciation: R
Unidad 5: My world
- Talking about countries and organizations
- Alphabet and spelling
- Expressing agreement and disagreement in conversations
- Numbers 20-100
- Personal A
- Countries, industries and products
- Review of Unidades 1-4
- Pronunciation: H
Unidad 6: My family
- Talking about family
- Possessive adjectives
- Irregular verbs: e-ie
- The verb tener
- Talking about age
- Pronunciation: common last names
Unidad 7: My likes
- Talking about likes and dislikes
- Months and seasons
- Written accent marks
- Using the verbs gustar and encantar
- Using infinitives in a sentence
- Pronunciation: RR
Unidad 8: My diet
- Talking about food and diet
- Ordering in a restaurant
- Irregular verbs: o-ue
- More on gustar
- Pronunciation: J
Unidad 9: My favorite city
- Talking about cities
- Asking for information in a tourist office
- Telling time
- Talking about when activities are performed
- The special verb hay
- Pronunciation: Review
Unidad 10: My life
- Talking about dates and birthdays
- Contrasting ser and estar
- Extensive review of Unidades 1-9
- Extended speaking preparation
Earn Continuing Education Hours
By participating in this class you will earn:
Instructional Hours | 35 |
University of Wisconsin Continuing Education Units | 3.5 |
Upcoming dates
Spanish 1
Course #: 6907-C-LAAS-4865-25-LSA
Fee: $279 For registration assistance: 608-262-2451
continuingstudies.wisc.edu/6907-C-LAAS
Fee
$279
Schedule
Canvas opens on January 22, 2025
Live Sessions on Wednesdays, Jan. 29–April 9, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Canvas closes one month after the course ends.
Register through: January 21, 2025
All times shown in central time.
Instructor
Subject Area:
Cancellation Policy
- Cancel before the class start date (the day materials are made available): and receive a full refund minus a $25 administrative fee.
- Cancel after the class start date (the day materials are made available) but before the second virtual conversation session: receive an 80 percent refund minus a $25 administrative fee.
- Cancel after the second virtual conversation session: no refund.