Para tus ojos is a short cultural video relating to the chapter’s regional focus. The characters and content of this video activate vocabulary and preview grammar concepts.
En tu medio also includes five critically recognized short films, Cortometrajes, produced for Spanish-speaking audiences. These films provide authentic, higher-level input; support vocabulary, grammar, and cultural activities; and spark discussion of relevant social, historical, personal, or cultural issues.
The integration of these video components provides the opportunity for students to view the videos multiple times for different purposes. This maximizes students’ comprehension and cross-cultural understanding.
En tu medio presents both vocabulary and grammar with contextualized paragraphs, blogs, ads, media, etc. to model and clarify usage. By teaching forms in relation to function, students deduce and infer lexical meaning and grammatical patterns prior to their formal presentation, understand better what they read, grasp cultural and sociolinguistic subtexts, write more effectively, and apply grammar rules for meaningful communication.
Related concepts are grouped together in each chapter of En tu medio to provide an overview and emphasize usage. Each concept builds upon prior knowledge, as boxes marked with a recycling icon remind learners of related concepts previously studied. Brief culturally contextualized input readings model the use of new forms prior to simple, yet precise explanations. Explanations start with guiding questions and a sample text to further critical thinking skills by observing language in context.
En tu medio integrates cultural information and authentic materials specific to the target region throughout the chapter so that students explore language in context even while learning vocabulary or grammar.
In addition to the videos, other cultural highlights include:
These monthly links with scaffolded activities for students are available on the Supersite. They provide real-world connection to language and culture via carefully curated articles and videos from across the Spanish-speaking world. Instructors can enhance their classroom with authentic and culturally relevant resources focusing on the three modes of communication (interpretative, interpersonal, and presentational).
