¡Cine con clase! is a project developed by the Spanish Department of University of Virginia, involving a group of Virgina Spanish teachers led by Prof. David T. Gies. This site incorporates the sights and sounds of Spain and Latin America into classroom activities. It is a selection of short scenes from several Spanish movies together with script (where applicable), vocabulary in English and in Spanish, pictures, follow-up activities and links to cultural, bibliographical, and historical data. It follows Virginias SOLs for Foreign Language based on the national standards: Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons and Communities. The short clips in Spanish are coupled with optional scripts, Spanish/English vocabulary, practice activities, and links to additional information.
Type of Material:
Quick Time video clips, ancilliary practice activities that are Adobe reader files, and additional reference material. Short movie scenes followed by meaningful and engaging activities and cultural, bibliographical, and historical information pertinent to the movie.
Recommended Uses:
The clips and follow-up activities could be used in class, laboratory, or as homework assignments, depending on the activity and level of the activity.This valuable material will greatly benefit both High School and college students.
Technical Requirements:
The site has the following technical requirements: high speed Internet access, Quick Time version 7, a web browser, and Adobe reader. One must also register to use the site and the username and password are e-mailed to the user.These technical requirements appear on the Welcome page and all are free downloads.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The goals are to improve Spanish listening comprehension and to present authentic spoken Spanish within realistic cultural and historical contexts. The site specifically states that the clips and activities are to aid students in achieving the future Virginia Standards of Learning requirements and are in line with the ACTFL's 1999 "Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century."
The learning goals are to enhance listening skills in order to improve speaking and writing in Spanish, to enhance reading skills in authentic contexts, and to promote cultural understanding of Spain and Hispanic countries through contemporary films.
Target Student Population:
Intermediate and advanced students of Spanish, although there are a few activities that are appropriate for beginners.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
First year college-level Spanish or two years of high school Spanish.The user has to register to the site. Registration is free of charge. Users will benefit from a basic familiarity with the Spanish language. Vocabulary and activities for different levels are already provided.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The site contains clips from popular and accessible feature films in Spanish. Professors can approach these clips by topics from a pull-down menu or use them in a context that they decide upon. Great care has been given to appropriate pre-viewing and expansion activities with the help of teachers from various parts of the state. There is ample flexibility in the possible uses of these materials, making them extremely usable at a variety of levels.
Concerns:
I found at least one broken link in the site. I went to the film ACTRICES, then clicked on RECURSOS PARA ESTA PELÍCULA, and it took me to this link: http://hitchcock.itc.virginia.edu/SpanishFilm/secure/filmresources/200106120000.html where I received the HTTP 404 NOT FOUND error page.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The use of this material will definitely engage student learning and, therefore, it is extremely useful as a teaching resource. It is relevant, very complete and updated. It is easy to use in the classroom or as an assignment to students for work outside of class. It has great potential for use by the self-directed learner who seeks reinforcement of listening and reading skills. It can be integrated readily into any Spanish program as it clearly adheres to Virginias SOLs for language teaching and learning. It provides opportunities for further collaboration by adding activities or sending suggestions. The page named Busqueda (search) is extremely useful. The user can look up movies and/ or activities of his or her choice; the options being culture, structure, and vocabulary.
Concerns:
It would be good to see more films added on a regular basis andto have Latin American ones included as well.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Very clear and functional design. It is easy to navigate with a clear menu on the left and clearly stated background information, learning objectives, list of films, scenes, and activities. The directions for the exercises are extremely clear and easy to follow. The quality of the video and audio are optimal. The information is presented in ways that are familiar and attractive to teachers and students alike.
Concerns:
On the page where the movies are listed (Las peliculas), a reference to the origin of the movie would be useful.
Other Issues and Comments:
I think this is one of the best Spanish learning sites I have seen. It is purposeful and organized.
Creative Commons:
Search by ISBN?
It looks like you have entered an ISBN number. Would you like to search using what you have
entered as an ISBN number?
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
