Matthew Kelly, Spanish, Independence High School
(Unit PDF)
Abstract
In Spanish, the subjunctive is critical to expression of wish, desire, or conjecture, conveying shades of meaning inaccessible to the Anglophone speaker who fails to comprehend it. Using the theme Espero [“I hope”] as a starting point, students will compose a narrative in Microsoft Photo Story talking about their hopes for the future. While the assignment requires use of a range of grammatical structures, I will concentrate on the subjunctive. This will allow me to use the autobiographical narrative as a benchmark for evaluating students’ later output. Next, my students will partner with volunteer native speakers of Spanish from my high school. My students will interview volunteers about their aspirations for the future and produce transcripts. My students will also compose a summary of the interview, along with a personal reflection on what they learned from the experience. I will evaluate final essays for correct use of the subjunctive. I hope to see an increase in accuracy over the first segment. By encouraging self expression, and by embedding the learning experience in peer interaction, I hope to teach students why we learn languages: to express ourselves, to communicate, to make connections, and to access the experience and wisdom of others. In Spanish, the subjunctive is critical to expression of wish, desire, or conjecture, conveying shades of meaning inaccessible to the Anglophone speaker who fails to comprehend it. Using the theme Espero [“I hope”] as a starting point, students will compose a narrative in Microsoft Photo Story talking about their hopes for the future. While the assignment requires use of a range of grammatical structures, I will concentrate on the subjunctive. This will allow me to use the autobiographical narrative as a benchmark for evaluating students’ later output.Next, my students will partner with volunteer native speakers of Spanish from my high school. My students will interview volunteers about their aspirations for the future and produce transcripts. My students will also compose a summary of the interview, along with a personal reflection on what they learned from the experience. I will evaluate final essays for correct use of the subjunctive. I hope to see an increase in accuracy over the first segment.By encouraging self expression, and by embedding the learning experience in peer interaction, I hope to teach students why we learn languages: to express ourselves, to communicate, to make connections, and to access the experience and wisdom of others.
Home