SPANISH STEPS is a beginners online Spanish tutorial with video and audio. The whole consists of six major themes related to everyday life in Spain. Each step or module has several subtopics with activities that can be explored. The length of each module is 20 minutes long. Spanish Steps is an excellent resource for language educators and students initiating their studies in Spanish language. The site has a link to the general objectives for each module and brief explanations of grammatical concepts.The syllabus matches the Common European Framework Level I, which is recognized across Europe as a benchmark for simple conversational language.
Type of Material:
Steps consist of authentic video, audio and images in short 20 minutes sessions. They are useful for busy people who can complete a module at one time. The six modules have 24 short steps with simple Spanish phrases. The syllabus provides language educators with explanation to the main objectives for each module. The users guide is also very practical
Recommended Uses:
Spanish Steps is ideal for all beginning language learners. Language educators should direct their students to several modules for review and recommend one or two to reinforce learning simple grammar structures. Travelers and visitors to Hispanic countries and young students in lower grades will benefit from the modules.These materials are designed for individuals wishing to visit Spain or Latin America as tourists wanting to communicate in the target language. The materials can also be incorporated into classroom settings for developing basic survival situations, vocabulary and grammar, and culture. The materials are ideal for developing listening comprehension, and to practice conversational skills.
Technical Requirements:
Fast connection for video streaming. Flash and Real Player.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Listening, Reading and Speaking
Target Student Population:
Beginning students of Spanish at the college level or High school. It can be used by language educators as a review for first year Spanish. The modules can also be utilized by travelers or visitors to Hispanic countries.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Basic computers skills
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Spanish Steps is an ideal site for beginning learners because it provides for natural language practice using 24 daily survival situations that include authentic language and cultural content. Each unit provides for basic functional language expressions vital in communication. The series begins with Finding Your Feet with the topics of: Taking a Taxi, Booking into a Hotel, Ordering a snack in a cafeteria, and Finding Your Way Around. The rest of the 20 lessons are categorized within four different themes revolving around the general topics of activities for Being at Home, Going out, Travel within the Country, Shopping and Work and Play.
The dialogues with simple steps are an effective learning strategy. Students could benefit by revisiting the site and working with each module for 20 minutes. Language educators could assign one or two modules related to the theme in the text for homework or to reinforce topics previously covered. This site is also colorful and generally of good quality. The sound is clear and native language speakers are used for the conversations in the dialogues. If students want they could potentially review them at home several times.
Concerns:
Dialogues remain on a basic level. An enhancement would be to include some dialogues on a higher proficiency level.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
: The dialogues with simple steps are an effective learning strategy. Students could benefit by revisiting the site and working with each module for 20 minutes. Language educators could assign one or two modules related to the theme in the text for homework or to reinforce topics previously covered. This site is also colorful and generally of good quality. The sound is clear and native language speakers are used for the conversations in the dialogues. If students want they could potentially review them at home several times.
Concerns:
none
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Spanish Steps is easy to navigate. Students with basic computer skills will find the site usable, entertaining, and easy to learn and understand due to the bilingual nature. If students are unable to understand the content, they will be able to click to English for clarification.
Concerns:
This is mainly a communicative activity, feedback is not provided and written materials are not included
Other Issues and Comments:
no
Creative Commons:
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