Summary
Watch this short video about why our online Language program is one of the best in the country!
Newly revised! -- Take your conversation skills to the next level in this highly practical intermediate course (B1.1) that uses a proven communicative approach aimed at adult learners. You will learn to communicate with more ease and sophistication about everyday topics such as entertainment, the workplace, and personal and social values. Become a better storyteller as you increase your ability to situate events in the past or future and give advice or formulate hypotheses with the subjunctive mood. Deepen your understanding of commands and impersonal forms. See the outline for more details.
Textbook (used for Spanish 5 and 6) purchase required. Available at Klett: print copy or digital version 12-month access (link). ISBN number for print copy: 978841803226.
It is important that the textbook or digital access be purchased in time for the first week of class.
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.
Course format
You will practice speaking in 12 weekly online sessions of 1.5 hours led by an experienced instructor with a maximum of 16 participants, using a mix of small and large group conversation activities.
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 work together with the textbook to introduce new grammar and vocabulary, 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. Textbook should be purchased as soon as possible.
Want to know more about learning a language online? Read Dr. Julie Dahl's blog post about our online course format.
Sections anticipated (See Upcoming Dates for open sections and more detail):
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 the 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 | 48 |
University of Wisconsin Continuing Education Units | 4.8 |
Upcoming dates
Not scheduled at this time. Join the mailing list.