Students helping students
In Experiencias Intermediate, real students share tips on what has worked for them as they learn Spanish. This video features the student Catherine Sholtis from the Xavier University.
A GPS for Learning
Using backward design as a GPS for learning, the authors of Experiencias have created a learning experience that focuses on what your students will be able to accomplish with the language. Starting with a guiding question and a sequence of activities to help students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the desired learning outcomes, Experiencias Intermediate provides clear direction and purpose for the lessons, assures alignment between activities and outcomes, and increases engagement and motivation as students see progress toward a meaningful use of their language skills.
Understandable Content for Effective Communication
Language acquisition takes place when learners are exposed to language that is slightly above their current level of proficiency. In Experiencias Intermediate, students are exposed to multiple instances of comprehensible input through vocabulary and grammar, as well as through cultural readings, videos, and podcasts. The revised content and sequence of the activities provide opportunities for students to practice and reinforce their language skills in context. When students engage in meaningful interaction, the result is more natural language acquisition and a deeper understanding of the language.
Fostering a Language-Learning Mindset
Metacognitive strategies are essential tools that language learners can use to enhance their understanding of the learning process. In Experiencias Intermediate, these strategies, carefully placed at different points throughout each chapter, offer intercultural learning strategies and aim to foster an “intercultural mindset.” This helps students become active learners and promotes student engagement. Students can also find reading strategies and learning tips from real students. Together, all of these strategies leads to better language acquisition and proficiency levels.
Moving beyond Cultural Self-Awareness and Building Interculturality
Experiencias places a strong focus on interculturality from beginning to end. Students develop intercultural competency by reflecting critically on their own values and practices to increase their cultural self-awareness. Many of the readings and videos in Experiencias Intermediate focus on social justice and on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). They present stories that break down stereotypes, amplify underrepresented voices, and offer a more nuanced view of the culture. Developing intercultural competency fosters empathy, tolerance, and mutual respect.
Experience Learning in Real-World Tasks and Contexts
Authentic tasks and projects at the end of each chapter prompt students to produce new language independently and creatively. Proyectos offers two culminating tasks per chapter, including an oral task that connects to the chapter themes. The projects promote self-expression, personalization, and creativity, while providing practical opportunities to use Spanish in real-world tasks. Specifically designed for the intermediate level, the projects in Experiencias profesionales focus on career readiness, allowing students to explore the use of Spanish in their own fields of study and to see for themselves the relevance of learning Spanish. The accompanying editable online project rubrics make assessment simple for instructors of all course modalities.
