Spanish 601: Methods of teaching Spanish & Portuguese

Prof. Harry Howard
howard at tulane dot edu
862-3417 (voice mail 24 hours a day)
Newcomb Hall 322-D: MW 11-12 pm, T 1-2 pm & by appointment
Dr. Howard's schedule on Google calendars

Place & time: 1 - 3:30, NWCB 208
Homepage: policies and assignments
Blackboard: grades and additional readings
Facebook: SPAN601 group for course notifications

Goals: The overall goal of this course is to give you an overview of communicative task-based language instruction. This overview consists of theory, research, and practical application. In particular, you will …

• gain a working knowledge of theory and research that explains how adults acquire a second language,
• be able to critically evaluate existing teaching practices and materials based on your understanding of theory and research, and
• develop teaching materials for the classroom which are informed by theory and research in second language acquisition.

Objectives: In order to demonstrate your attainment of the goals of the course, you will:

• take a quiz almost every week: 9 * 7.22% = 65%. The quiz is given during the first fifteen minutes of class. No make-ups are allowed, but your lowest grade will be dropped.
• turn in two reports on the observation of a basic language class: 2 * 5% = 10%. You will be told what to look for. Be sure to ask permission from the instructor before you attend.
• turn in one report that compares the presentation of a topic across several textbooks: 1 * 5% = 5%.
• prepare a teaching portfolio: 15%. The portfolio materials are drawn from the portfolio activities at the end of each chapter of the textbook. It is due on or before the final exam period.
• participate in class: 5%.

Textbook: Lee, J.F. & VanPatten, B. (2003) Making Communicative Language Teaching Happen. New York: McGraw-Hill. 2^nd Edition. You should come to class having read and mulled over the readings scheduled for that particular day.

Academic Honor Code

“The integrity of Newcomb College and Tulane College is based on the absolute honesty of the entire community in all academic endeavors. As part of the community, students have certain responsibilities regarding all independent work that forms the basis for the evaluation of their academic achievement. Students are expected to familiarize themselves in a manner that complies with it at all times. The scholarly community of the university depends on the willingness of both faculty and students to uphold the honor code. When a violation of the honor code is observed it is the duty of every member of the academic community who has evidence of the violation to take action. Students should take steps to uphold the honor code by reporting any possible offense to the instructor or the honor board. Students should under no circumstances tolerate any form of academic dishonesty.” For further information, point your browser at   http://www.tulane.edu/%7Ejruscher/dept/Honor.Code.html .

Violations of the Academic Honor Code will not be tolerated in this class. I will rigorously investigate and pursue any such transgression.

Students with disabilities who need academic accommodation should:

• Contact and register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS). For more information, visit the ODS website at http://erc.tulane.edu/disability/.
• Bring official notice to me from the ODS indicating that you need academic accommodation. This should be done within the first week of class.