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SMALL GROUP SPANISH COURSESSpanish Course Description Class Schedules Fee Structure Additional Courses Additional Group Activities ABOUT OUR SPANISH CLASSESUnlike more traditional academic institutions, at Castalia Language Center students do not struggle through never-ending lists of verb conjugations or fine grammar points; instead, from the beginning of each course, class activities and homework are centered on authentic materials from the Spanish-speaking world and real-life situations. In other words, learning about Spanish does not take precedence over acquiring the ability to use Spanish. Classes are taught in small groups of up to eight students to encourage active participation. The Spanish language is introduced in a comfortable, relaxed environment, and a sense of humor, intuition and risk-taking are considered valuable tools in the learning process. SPANISH COURSE DESCRIPTIONSBeginners Spanish I Beginners Spanish II Intermediate Spanish I Intermediate Spanish II Intermediate Spanish III Advanced Spanish Note: After Beginners Spanish I, each level includes a review of topics covered in previous classes. Discussion Series: ¡Latinoamérica Total! Immerse yourself in Latin American cultures in this discussion series. Enjoy music, do online research, read articles and short stories, see movies, listen to radio programs and podcasts, watch videos and TV programs—all in Spanish. This dynamic course is aimed at those with good oral proficiency—at least at an intermediate level—who want to keep their Spanish sharp while learning more about Latin America. Students will receive in advance a list of materials they will work with at home (e.g., a movie to watch), so they can prepare beforehand for class discussions. Classes will consist of conversations guided by a Latin American teacher with occasional short individual presentations. The last class will be held at a local Hispanic restaurant. As usual at Castalia, classes are taught in small groups of up to eight students to encourage active participation. Beginners Spanish I Recommended for those with little or no previous experience with Spanish. Topics covered: . Greetings . Present tense basics . Question words (e.g., "Who?," "Where?," "How?") . Family members . Gender basics (feminine and masculine words in Spanish) . Time, days and months . Basic vocabulary . Numbers . Pronunciation basics By the end of the course you will be able to: . Ask and answer basic questions . Handle typical travel interactions . Understand the main idea when reading . Order at a restaurant . Shop . Talk about daily routines . Describe places . Listen to and understand the theme of songs Beginners Spanish II Recommended for those who have completed Spanish for Beginners I or studied Spanish before and have a good grasp of the basics (see topics covered in Spanish for Beginners I as a reference). Topics covered: . Introduction to the future tense . Describing activities (e.g., "He is looking at the painting") . Expressing desires, needs and obligations . Introduction to the past tense . Making comparisons . Expanding vocabulary: The 100 most important verbs . Difference between "ser" and "estar" . Pronouns: Reflexive and direct object (e.g., "I dress myself," "They help her") . Formal and informal "you" . Pronunciation: Beyond the basics By the end of the course you will be able to: . Re-tell fictional stories in the present tense . Talk about differences between individuals, groups and places . Describe organizations and processes . Listen to and understand song lyrics . Read and understand articles Intermediate Spanish I Recommended for those who have completed Spanish for Beginners II or studied Spanish before and have a good grasp of the topics covered in it (see topics covered in Spanish for Beginners II as a reference). Topics covered: . Past tense: Introduction to differences between the preterit and the imperfect tenses . Introduction to vocabulary of physical actions . Commands (informal "you") . Introduction to irregular verbs in the preterit . Gender in depth (special rules, exceptions, etc.) . Pronouns: Indirect objects . Primary uses of "se" . Pronunciation: Stress and accent marks By the end of the course you will be able to: . Read and write simple fictional texts . Narrate simple stories and events . Follow and give directions Intermediate Spanish II Recommended for those who have completed Intermediate I or studied Spanish before and have a good grasp of the topics covered in it (see topics covered in Intermediate Spanish I as a reference). Topics covered: . Past tense: Intensive practice of the preterit and imperfect tenses . Conditional mood . Intensive practice of irregular verbs in the preterit . Use of "para" and "por" . Commands (formal "you") . Talking about emotions . Irregular verbs "ser," "estar" and "ir" in different tenses . The verb "haber" in simple tenses . Pronouns: Intensive practice of reflexive, direct and indirect objects By the end of the course you will be able to: . Better narrate stories and events . Talk about hypothetical situations . Better read fictional texts . Express emotions . Follow and give directions using different levels of formality Intermediate Spanish III Recommended for those who have completed Intermediate II or studied Spanish before and have a good grasp of the topics covered in it (see topics covered in Intermediate Spanish II as a reference). Topics covered: . Compound tenses . "True" future tense . Pronouns: Introduction to pronominal verbs . The verb "haber" in compound tenses . Intensive practice of vocabulary of physical actions By the end of the course you will be able to: . Narrate stories and events (highly complex, varying point of view) . Communicate at different levels of formality . Read longer, complex texts (e.g., nonfiction books, novels) . Transcribe stories spoken in Spanish Advanced Spanish Recommended for those who have completed Intermediate II or studied Spanish before and have a good grasp of the topics covered in it (see topics covered in Intermediate Spanish III as a reference). Topics covered: . Subjunctive mood (present and past, simple and compound tenses) . Other uses of "se" . Referred dialogues (e.g., "He told me that she had died in 2006.") . Location of prepositions . The verb "haber" in the subjunctive mood . In-depth analysis of grammar "odds and ends" . Idiomatic expressions By the end of the course you will be able to: . Carry out natural dialogue on and debate complex topics . Analyze literature, history and current events . Acquire deeper understanding of art, culture and history of Spanish-speaking countries SCHEDULEGroups meet once a week for 10 consecutive weeks (excluding major holidays). Each class is divided in two 55-minute blocks, with a five-minute recess between blocks and a five-minute closing time after the second block. Early Winter Later Courses Late Fall Starting September 29th, 2008 Discussion Series: ¡Latinoamérica Total! Monday 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Dates: September 29th - December 1st, 2008 Beginners Spanish I Tuesday 10:00 - 12:00 noon - Dates: September 30th - December 2nd, 2008 Wednesday 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Dates: October 8th - December 10th, 2008 Beginners Spanish II Thursday 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Dates: October 2nd - December 11th, 2008 (No class November 27th.) Wednesday 10:00 - 12:00 noon - Dates: October 8th - December 10th, 2008 Intermediate Spanish I Tuesday 10:00 - 12:00 noon - Dates: September 30th - December 2nd,, 2008 Tuesday 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Dates: October 7th - December 9th, 2008 Intermediate Spanish II Classes forming. Contact us for more information. Intermediate Spanish III Classes forming. Contact us for more information. Advanced Spanish Classes forming. Contact us for more information. Early Winter Starting November 17th, 2008 All Early Winter courses break December 22nd - January 4th for the holidays. Beginners Spanish I Thursday 10:00 - 12:00 noon - Dates: November 20th - February 12th, 2009 (No class November 27th.) Early Bird Special Thursday 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Dates: November 20th - February 12th, 2009 (No class November 27th.) Early Bird Special Beginners Spanish II Monday 10:00 - 12:00 noon - Dates: November 24th - February 9th, 2009 Early Bird Special Monday 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Dates: November 24th - February 9th, 2009 Early Bird Special Intermediate Spanish I Tuesday 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Dates: November 18th - February 3rd, 2009 Early Bird Special Intermediate Spanish II Wednesday 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Dates: November 19th - February 9th, 2009 Early Bird Special Intermediate Spanish III Classes forming. Contact us for more information. Advanced Spanish Classes forming. Contact us for more information. Later Courses Late Winter term starts January 12th, 2009. FEE STRUCTUREBring-a-friend Special!If a student brings a friend who is registering for the first time for a 10-week/20-hour Spanish group course, she will receive 50% off her tuition (a $125.00 value). Discount can only be applied to group classes and cannot be combined with other offers.Early Bird Special!10% discount (a $25.00 value) if the $50 deposit is sent by November 4th for Early Winter courses. Discount cannot be combined with other offers.The total cost of the course, including materials, is $250 per person. To secure a place, a $50 non-refundable deposit is required. The remaining balance is due on the first day of class. If you must cancel, contact us as soon as possible. Deposits are non-refundable, and the remainder is refundable up to 48 hours before the first class. If due to unforeseen circumstances—or in the unlikely event there are not enough registrations—a course has to be canceled, students will be notified prior to the starting date and their payment refunded in full. Please send an e-mail to verify that space is still available. Checks made out to Castalia Language Center should be sent to: Castalia Language Center 519 SW Park Ave., Suite 321 Portland, OR 97205 We accept credit and debit cards via PayPal, as well as cash or checks. All returned checks are subject to a $25 fee. Gift certificates available. ADDITIONAL SPANISH COURSES
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