Semester.ly

Johns Hopkins University | AS.210.111

Spanish Elements I

4.0

credits

Average Course Rating

(4.15)

This is an introductory Spanish language course. On completion of this course, the students will have acquired the basic communication and grammatical skills necessary for speaking, writing, listening and reading in Spanish. Students will demonstrate these skills through their performance in class, by completing several online assignments, and by taking part in three group presentations in addition to two comprehensive exams which focus on the following thematic topics: Greetings, University Life, Family and Leisure. Students will also be introduced to the culture, history and geography of various Spanish and Latin American countries. The content covered in Spanish Elements 1 is the foundation for all consecutive Spanish courses. A placement exam is required to ensure the appropriate level. Your enrollment in Spanish Elements I will not be considered for approval until you have emailed the Spanish Language Director. No new enrollments permitted after 4th class session.

Fall 2012

(4.29)

Fall 2012

(4.33)

Fall 2012

(4.29)

Fall 2012

(4.5)

Fall 2013

(3.92)

Fall 2013

(2.02)

Fall 2013

(4.43)

Fall 2013

(4.78)

Fall 2014

(4.29)

Fall 2014

(4.09)

Fall 2014

(4.28)

Fall 2022

(4.38)

Spring 2013

(4.17)

Spring 2013

(3.46)

Spring 2014

(4.0)

Spring 2014

(4.31)

Spring 2015

(4.13)

Spring 2015

(4.75)

Spring 2023

(4.42)

Fall 2012

Professor: Francisco Gomez Martos

(4.29)

The best parts of this course were the small class size and the emphasis on discussion, which gave students a lot of time to practice their speaking skills. The professor and TA always spoke Spanish, which was great for reinforcing the language. Aspects that students did not like were the online lab exercises and the fact that not everyone was at the same level of Spanish. Suggestions for improvement included fairer grading of the online exercises and having fewer exams. The class is challenging for a beginner, but if you have taken Spanish already the course will be very easy.

Fall 2012

Professor:

(4.33)

Students liked the smal class size and the interactive activities. They also said the professor was very enthusiastic, made the class fun, and was always willing to help. However, many students didn’t like the online lab assignments. Some also thought the class was too slow for someone who has already taken some Spanish. Students suggested that the course would be improved by having more speaking practice in class and more small assignments to practice grammar. This is a great beginning course if you want to learn Spanish. Students will need to read every day and make sure to participate in class. 147

Fall 2012

Professor: Matteo Cantarel o

(4.29)

The best part of this course was that the small class size made for lots of opportunities to practice Spanish. Students noted that their speaking and writing skil s improved a lot. However, some students said that the pace was too slow and that the lab activities were not helpful. Students suggested eliminating the lab activities and going over more examples of common mistakes. Overall, the course is not a lot of work, but you need to put in a lot of time on your own to really learn the material.

Fall 2012

Professor: Christian Pack

(4.5)

Students liked the professor’s fun and engaging teaching style, as well as the interactive classes, which incorporated movies and music. Sometimes there was not enough participation, and students said it was hard to participate because of the larger class size. Also, sometimes discussion would get off topic. Suggestions for improvement included making the discussions more focused, getting rid of the lab exercises, and having more speaking practice in class. The class is a well-taught introduction to Spanish, and the workload is not difficult if you keep up with the assignments.

Fall 2013

Professor: Alejandro Alvarez Herrera Lasso

(3.92)

Students thought that the best aspect of this course was the professor, who was engaging and helpful. Students found this to be an excel ent course to learn and understand the language. However, several students felt that the structure of the homework was not helpful, and did not like the online exercises, especially the oral practices. Suggestions for improvement included getting rid of the lab in order to focus the class on discussions and actual y teaching the language to the students through lecture. Prospective students wil need to be self-motivated and practice outside of the classroom to learn the language.

Fall 2013

Professor: Mary Speer

(2.02)

The best aspects of this course included the good balance of reading, writing, listening, and speaking activities. Students felt that the course was very effective in teaching them the foundations of Spanish, and enjoyed the many opportunities to practice the language. Students found the oral presentations to be very difficult as they did not have as high a fluency level as the professor assumed they did. Students also felt the grading system was a bit harsh. Suggestions for improvement included increasing the number of conversational opportunities within the class to help students prepare for the oral exam. Students also recommended shorter oral activities than the presentations. Prospective students should be prepared for an immersive language experience, and that they will gain a strong understanding of the language if they are willing to work hard and stay on top of their work.

Fall 2013

Professor: Christian Pack

(4.43)

The best aspects of this course included the professor, who was supportive and helpful. Students also liked the smal class size, which they felt gave them more opportunities to discuss and ask questions. Several students wished there had been more opportunities to practice speaking and the course was sometimes disorganized. Suggestions for improvement included organizing class time to allow speaking with an actual person and not a computer, and adding more time for speaking and listening activities. Prospective students should take this class if they are interesting in getting a strong foundation in the Spanish language.

Fall 2013

Professor: Ian Rogers

(4.78)

Students thought that the best aspects of this course included the small class size that allowed for discussions and interactions between the students. The professor was very helpful, and helped students really understand the materials. However, many students disliked the online assignments, which they found confusing and did not help with their language learning. Suggestions for improvement include having fewer online assignments and more in-class speaking and listening exercises. Prospective students who are interested in learning a language are highly recommended to take this course.

Fall 2014

Professor: Lauren Judy

(4.29)

High points in this class were the small class size, the variety of assignments, and the engaging and relaxed instructor. Group presentations and the variety of previous experience among students were the worst aspects of the course. Suggestions for improving the class included giving more opportunities to practice pronunciation and ensuring that all students start out at the same level. Prospective students should know that the course required regular work; however, students found that so long as students kept up with assignments they would do wel in the course.

Fall 2014

Professor: Matteo Cantarel o

(4.09)

The best aspects of this course included the emphasis on basic vocabulary, learning culture along with language, and the relaxed and engaging atmosphere. The fast pace and constant workload were the worst aspects of the course. Suggested improvements included more conversational practice and fewer MySpanishLab assignments. Students who are considering this class should know that students found that so long as they kept up with assignments and attended classes they were able to do well in the course.

Fall 2014

Professor: Michel e Tracy

(4.28)

Student’s praised this course for having a small class size, an engaging instructor and a variety of in-class activities. The instructor provided several modes of learning to benefit all the learning styles of the class. Many students thought the uneven distribution of skil level in the class was the worst aspect. The class could be improved by ensuring that everyone enters with similar previous knowledge, and if there were 163fewer questions per homework. Students thinking about taking this class should know that students who took the course found that it was very helpful to have some knowledge of Spanish or another Romance language. The workload was steady but manageable.

Fall 2022

Professor: Michelle Tracy

(4.38)

Spring 2013

Professor: Matteo Cantarel o

(4.17)

The best aspects of this course included the small class size, the creative assignments designed by the instructor, and the incorporated repetition that helped students better understand the material. One student felt that the mid-term requirement of a five minute conversation was excessive for a 100 level class. Some students felt the instructor’s teaching format was ineffective and/or disorganized. Suggestions included posting notifications on Blackboard regarding homework due dates and allowing students more preparation time for the conversational portion of the exams. Prospective students should know the homework for this course is due online and it’s important that they fol ow along.

Spring 2013

Professor: Mary Speer

(3.46)

The best aspects of this course included the small class size, the creative assignments designed by the instructor, and the incorporated repetition that helped students better understand the material. One student felt that the mid-term requirement of a five minute conversation was excessive for a 100 level class. Some students felt the instructor’s teaching format was ineffective and/or disorganized. Suggestions included posting notifications on Blackboard regarding homework due dates and allowing students more preparation time for the conversational portion of the exams. Prospective students should know the homework for this course is due online and it’s important that they fol ow along.

Spring 2014

Professor: Alejandro Alvarez Herrera Lasso

(4.0)

The instructor’s enthusiasm, feedback, and use of real life rather than just the book were the highlights of this course. Learning the language from a native speaker gave students additional insight to accents and cultural linguistic traditions. The fast pace and frequent assignments were given the most negative aspects of this course. A more even distribution of work over the semester was suggested as an improvement to the course. Students interested in this class should know there is a good deal of work, but this is a good first Spanish class.

Spring 2014

Professor: Ian Rogers

(4.31)

The small class size and helpful instructor were the best aspects of this course. Many students thought the fast pace and the frequent English in the classroom were negative aspects in the course. Suggestions for improvements to the course were to have more frequent but shorter class meetings, and to limit the amount of English spoken while in class. Prospective students should know that by keeping up with the material is essential to succeeding in this or any other language.

Spring 2015

Professor: Christian Pack

(4.13)

The best aspect of the course was the professor who cared about the language and the students learning it. The slow-paced and clear manner in which he taught made it easy to retain the information. However, assignment due dates were inconsistent and the class was too structured. Suggestions for improvement included limiting the amount of busy work and assigning work focused on improving grammar skil s. Prospective students should know that the course was manageable and a lot of time was spent discussing culture.

Spring 2015

Professor: Christopher Ray

(4.75)

The best aspect of the course was the professor who cared about the language and the students learning it. The slow-paced and clear manner in which he taught made it easy to retain the information. However, assignment due dates were inconsistent and the class was too structured. Suggestions for improvement included limiting the amount of busy work and assigning work focused on improving grammar skil s. Prospective students should know that the course was manageable and a lot of time was spent discussing culture.

Spring 2023

Professor: Michelle Tracy

(4.42)

Lecture Sections

(01)

No location info
R. Macias Cardoso
09:00 - 09:50

(02)

No location info
I. Veraguas
10:00 - 10:50

(03)

No location info
H. Frex
11:00 - 11:50