Summary
Learn the differences between the present subjunctive and indicative in this highly practical intermediate course (B1.1). Improve your use of complex sentence structures and delve deeper into the past tenses. Learn about the richness of Spanish-speaking cultures as you discuss housing, travel, food and trends from around the world. Grow your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills with our integrative approach. See outline for more details.
Prerequisite: Spanish 4.
Find out if this is the right level for you with these placement tests: Spanish 4 self–placement test, Spanish 5 self–placement test.
Note: You will not be able to view the course on your Canvas Dashboard or access the materials until the course start date.
Course format
Instructional videos and interactive online materials in the Canvas course platform introduce new grammar and vocabulary and teach pronunciation, listening and reading skills. Participants should budget 3-4 hours a week to work through the online asynchronous materials in preparation for the live online conversation groups. Participants practice speaking live with the instructor in weekly sessions. All participants will meet with the instructor for the entire hour. The instructor will provide opportunities to practice speaking in small groups using Zoom breakout rooms in addition to practicing with the entire group. Participants should be available for the entire one-hour time slot. Online course materials are available one week before the first live conversation class and remain accessible for one month after the course ends.
Want to know more about learning a language online? Read Dr. Julie Dahl’s blog post about our online course format.
Textbook and workbook purchase required: Spanish 5 & 6 textbook and workbook.
Overview: Extra Information
Please see the textbook link under fee and more information.
Course Outline
Lesson 1: I'm still learning
Themes and communication goals
- Talking about learning
- What makes a good education
- Skills and struggles
- Intercultural experiences
Language skills
- Special structures: acabar de and llevar
- More on hace/desde
- Review of all past tenses
- Review of adjectives
Culture
- El Día E
- Instituto Cervantes
- El café
Lesson 2: Have a great trip
Themes and communication goals
- Giving advice
- Expressing desires and preferences
- Offering help
- Proper reactions
- Negotiating an agreement
Language skills
- Review of commands
- More uses of present subjunctive
- Infinitive vs. subjunctive
- Planning a trip
Culture
- Educational programs
- La Ruta Quetzal
- La naranja
Lesson 3: Lifestyles
Themes and communication goals
- Talk about lifestyles
- Household chores
- Presenting arguments
- Quality of life
- Showing surprise
Language skills
- Direct vs. indirect speech
- Indicative vs. subjunctive
- Use of lo de
Culture
- Alternative communities
- La papa/la patata
Lesson 4: Let's review and practice!
Lesson 5: Paper or electronic copy?
Themes and communication goals
- Literature
- Cinema
- Making predictions
- Talking about finished events in the future
Language skills
- Passive voice
- More on se
- More on estar
- Connectors
- Future perfect tense
Culture
- Novelists
- Reading habits
- Film viewing
- El maíz
Lesson 6: All five senses
Themes and communication goals
- Describing objects and sensations
- Causes and consequences
- Tastes and flavors
- Food
Language skills
- Oír and oler
- Relative clauses
- Prepositions
- More on the subjunctive
- Impersonal expressions
- Our senses
Culture
- Zoos in Argentina
- Peruvian cooking
- El vino
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
Not scheduled at this time. Join the mailing list.