Faculty Syllabus

AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

FOREIGN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT

SYLLABUS SPANISH 1412

SPRING 2026

01-20-26 to 05-14-26

INSTRUCTOR:  ELSA TAYLOR

CLASS SECTION:  1412-036

SYNONYM:  36658

CLASS TIMES:  T-TH   1:25-3:15 PM

CAMPUS AND ROOM NUMBER:  SAC  1316

INSTRUCTOR:  ELSA TAYLOR

OFFICE HOURS:     T-TH   1:00-1:25 PM

OFFICE LOCATION:  SAC adjunct Office

E-MAIL:    elsataylor1@gmail.com

                   etaylor@austincc.edu

APPOINTMENTS:     As needed

NOTE

If your name is not on the class roster, you are not allowed to remain in this class, including today.  If you are registered, but your name is not on the roster, you must present a receipt showing you are enrolled in this class.  This is a college policy. I can not make exceptions.

The following items are also college policy:

• No food or drinks are allowed in the classroom
• Cell phones must be turned off during class time

COURSE DESCRIPTION Continuation of Span 1411 with more advanced conversation, basic writing, listening and reading comprehension, vocabulary building, grammar, and culture. Credit Hours: 4

PREREQUISITE INFORMATION As stated in the ACC Catalog, to be enrolled in the course, you must have credit for a four or five credit hour college or university course equivalent to, or at a higher level than, ACC Spanish 1411 with a grade of A, B, C.  You can also have equivalent credit by examination. High school, community/continuing education credit, conversation course credit, and previous knowledge are not acceptable substitutes for the required prerequisite. You must present proof of this credit (in the form of a copy of the appropriate transcript or grade report or an ACC printout) to your instructor by the twelfth day of ACC classes or you will be withdrawn from this course and may risk losing any refund.

Please note:

1. If this is the only course for which you are registered and you are withdrawing, this may constitute a withdrawal from the institution (see Catalog).

2) Any student wishing to challenge this course by examination must withdraw by the twelfth class day.* ( See Catalog.)

*This is the twelfth class day from the beginning of the semester for all ACC courses, not the twelfth day of your class. During the summer with 5 week classes the deadline is the third day.

      Required course texts (Valid for SPAN 1411, 1412, 2311, 2312)

Vistas, 7th ed., Blanco and Donley, Vista Higher Learning (textbook, workbook/video manual, lab manual, answer key, Vtext access, and supersite passcode for all online activities in wb/vm/lm) Students may purchase these items in one of two ways:

Students are required to have a copy of the textbook (either the print or the electronic copy) and the Supersite Plus Access Code.

Students may purchase these items in one of two ways, either as directed by the course instructor or by their choice:

Purchase a used Vistas Textbook (ISBN – 978-1-62680-637-5) AND the Vistas Ancillaries Package (ISBN – 978-1-68004-199-6) which includes all the print ancillaries and the Supersite Plus Access Code (includes Vtext)

OR

Purchase a Vistas Bundle (ISBN – 978-1-68004-198-9) which includes the print textbook, an electronic textbook, all the print ancillaries and the Supersite Plus Access Code. The second option (Vistas Bundle) includes everything students will need plus an electronic version of the textbook. The first option may be less expensive if students purchase a used textbook, it also contains the virtual textbook.

All of these items are available at the ACC bookstore and many other local college bookstores and all of them except the used textbook are available online at: http://vistahigherlearning.com/store/austincc.htm/.

STUDENTS MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO LOSE THE SUPERSITE PLUS ACCESS CODE. The code is valid for 36 months. Students use the code to access your online materials at vhlcentral.com. NOTE: Although complete audio access is provided on the Vistas supersite, there are also a limited number of DVD sets (Fotonovela, Panorama Cultural, Flash cultural ) as well as sets of both the SAM (student activities manual) and the Text Audios available for 2-hour use or 24-hour checkout at the ACC libraries at CYP, EVC, NRG, PIN, RGC, RRC, RVS, and SAC.

NEW STUDENTS

If you are new to Vista Higher Learning, complete these steps:

Step 1 – Go to VHL Central

To begin, go to vhlcentral.com (the link will open in a new window)

Step 2 – Create an Account

In the “Login Information” section of the account creation page, enter a username of your choice.

Enter the email address you would like to associate with your account.

Enter and confirm a password of your choice.

In the “Personal Profile” section, enter your first and last name as you wish them to appear in your Instructor’s roster.

Select the year of your birth from the drop down list.

Enter a student ID  (Optional)

In the “Security Information” section, you will provide the answer to a secret question, which may later be used to help you access your account if you forget your password.

After you enter all of the information, click  “Create an account”

Click  “agree” (Before your account is created, you must agree to the terms and conditions of use policy.)

Step 3 - Activate Code

On the code activation screen, enter your Supersite code.

Click “Activate code” to continue.

Look for a flash alert confirming that the code was successfully redeemed.

Step 4 - Select a School

Locate your school by typing your school’s name.  To narrow the search results, include the city and state (or country, if outside of the USA) in which your school is located.

Click  “find” If the terms you entered did not result in a successful search, follow the on screen tips to revise your search.

Select your school from the list by clicking the radio button next to the school name.

Click “select school” to add the school to your account.

Look for a flash alert confirming you successfully added the school.

Step 5 – Select a Course/Class

From the list of available classes at your school for your textbook’s Supersite, look for your instructor’s name and the course and section taught between the dates of the current semester.

Click the radio button for the course section  “Span 1512.”  If more than one class is listed for your Instructor, click the information icons in the class listings until you locate the section.

Click Save.  You should see a confirmation that you successfully enrolled in your instructor’s course.

RETURNING STUDENTS

If you have an existing account for VHLCentral, for your textbook’s Supersite, or for another Vista Higher Learning textbook, complete these steps:

Go to VHLCentral (the link will open in a new window):  vhlcentral.com

Log in using your existing account information.

To redeem a new Supersite code, click the “Redeem a code” link.  Then complete the items below in “Step 3 – Activate Code” of the NEW STUDENTS section.

To enroll in your Instructor’s course, click the “Enroll in a course” link.  Then complete the items below in “Step 5 – Select a Course/Class” of the NEW STUDENTS section

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES/LEARNING OBJECTIVES

In addition to offering the fundamentals of the Spanish language, this course is intended to fulfill one semester of the foreign language requirement as needed for Associate Degree plans and transfer credit to four-year institutions. The number of courses required varies from discipline and institution.

Upon completion of the general education component of an associate’s degree, students will demonstrate competence in

Critical Thinking.  Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information

Interpersonal Skills.  Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.

Civic and Cultural Awareness.  Analyzing and critiquing competing perspectives in a democratic society, comparing, contrasting and interpreting differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices.

Personal Responsibility.  Identifying and applying ethical principles and practices, demonstrating effective learning, creative thinking and personal responsibility.

Written, Oral and Visual Communication.  Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience and medium.

COMMON COURSE OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this course is to develop competencies that align with the general education goals of critical thinking, interpersonal skills, civic and cultural awareness, personal responsibility, and written, oral and visual communication, in the Spanish language, at an appropriate level.  The ability to understand and communicate and comprehend Spanish will develop along with the knowledge of the vocabulary, grammatical structures of the language, and exploration of how culture shapes communication.

Two to three hours a day should be dedicated for the study of Spanish (at least two hours outside of class for each hour In class). If you feel you need extra help, you can find a Spanish tutor at the Tutoring Labs on all major campuses.  This service is free to ACC students. 

At the end of one semester of SPAN 1412, students should be able to do the following:

CRITICAL THINKING

• Comprehend a passage in the Spanish language using a variety of reading or listening strategies.
• Answer questions and draw inferences about passages.
• Synopsize and synthesize the information from passages heard or read.
• Make comparisons and find contrasts among the different Hispanic cultures and your own.
• Reflect on what was read or heard and mention some of its implications.
• Evaluate the information.

TEAMWORK (Interpersonal Skills)

• Complete a variety of language-based activities working in pairs and small groups.
• Demonstrate the ability to negotiate meaning to complete language-based activities
• Demonstrate the ability to work in groups to achieve a common goal.
• Demonstrate the ability to consider different points of view and work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (Civic and Cultural Awareness)

• Compare and contrast different perspectives on cultural issues, customs, and traditions after reading or listening to passages in the Spanish language.
• Demonstrate some intercultural competence by correctly using formal and informal speech, changing registers as needed and using gestures.
• Mention some differences among the Spanish-speaking countries.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Show time management skills by successfully complete tasks on time
• Acquire effective study habits for language learning.

COMMUNICATION (Written, Oral and Visual Communication)

• Show effective written and spoken communication in Spanish at the appropriate level using a variety of strategies and adopting the appropriate type of speech.
• Use listening strategies such as listening for the main idea and for specific detail and asking for clarification.
• Exhibit conceptual understanding and control of courtesy expressions and appropriate kinesics when speaking in Spanish.
• Interpret and express ideas through written, oral and visual communication.

Discipline-Level Learning Outcomes for Spanish. At the end of the second semester of Spanish, students should be able to

• apply a variety of reading strategies to increase understanding of written material and state the main idea and some details of a text based on familiar material or authentic literary works;
• use a variety of listening strategies in order to increase understanding of oral speech and state the main idea and some detail when listening to a passage on familiar material or authentic selections;
• maintain simple conversations on a variety of topics (including descriptions, comparisons, recommendations, narrating in the past, expressing likes and preferences, making hypothetical statements; talking about the future) while demonstrating awareness of the sequence of tenses and use of prepositions and articles;
• write organized short compositions on a variety of topics (including descriptions, comparisons, recommendations, narrating in the past, expressing likes and preferences, making hypothetical statements, talking about the future) while using connectors and transitional words;
• perceive and identify cultural contrasts and demonstrate some knowledge of Hispanic writers, painters, movies and literary works.

General Education Students Learning Outcomes.Upon completion of the general education component of an associate’s degree, students will demonstrate competence in:

• Civic Awareness (Analyzing and critiquing competing perspectives in a democratic society.)
• Critical Thinking (Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information.)
• Cultural Awareness (Comparing, contrasting, and interpreting differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices.)
• Ethical Reasoning (Identifying and applying ethical principles and practices.)
• Interpersonal Skills (Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.)
• Life / Personal Skills (Demonstrating effective learning, creative thinking, and personal responsibility.)
• Technology Skills (Using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze, and present information.)
• Written, Oral, and Visual Communication (Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.)

GRADING SYSTEM FOR THIS COURSE. It is highly recommended that students study this grading system carefully to comprehend how the final grade is calculated in this course.

Students must receive a grade of C or better to continue to Spanish 2311.

Grading System - Your grade will be based on the following:

Grade Scale

HOW I ARRIVE AT YOUR GRADE

EXAM POLICY.  Tests will be administered during class time in the classrooms on the dates indicated on the program.  Regular and careful preparation for class is the best way to prepare for the tests. 

No make-up tests will be given.  Only in case of catastrophic event or the most unusual circumstances will allow a make-up of tests.  If you are absent on the day of the test or presentation without advising me of your unusual circumstance, no make up will be permitted and you will receive a 0. To make up a missed exam, you must provide proof of a valid reason for missing it and inform the instructor before the exam that you will not be able to take it.  The only exceptions are for documented and verifiable excuses for health, legal or death in the immediate family.  Vacation travel or over sleeping are not valid excuses.

Use of electronic devices during class. Use of cell phones, texting, and the use of all electronic devices is not allowed during class (except, of course, during emergencies). There are some valid exceptions to this policy.  

COURSE POLICIES

Each student is encouraged to keep a personal notebook or folder for all the handouts and tests.

During class the components of listening and speaking will be emphasized. We will spend most of the time using the language, not talking about it. The grammatical explanations will be kept to a minimum and you will be required to work in pairs and small groups. Your active participation in group work is required for the success of the class. The reading and writing components of the class will be mainly practiced at home. The Workbook and written assignments will be helpful in developing these two skills. The audio activities in the Student Activities Manual (SAM) and the Supersite will aid you in the comprehension and pronunciation of Spanish.

Withdrawal: Regular and timely class participation in the discussions and completion of work is expected of all students. If attendance or compliance with other course polices is unsatisfactory, departmental policy allows instructors to drop students from a course.

If you decide to withdraw from the class, it is your responsibility to fill out the forms to drop the course. If you do not do the paperwork yourself, you risk receiving an F at the end of the semester.

The ACC calendar shows the last day that a student is able to withdraw. If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date and ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls. Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawals from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.

Learning a foreign language requires a substantial amount of time and discipline, and these classes often have high drop rates.  Therefore, it is extremely important that you carefully consider whether you have the time and dedication to successfully complete this course this semester.  Otherwise, make sure that you drop it before the end of the add/drop period.

Incomplete: Incompletes are strongly discouraged. ACC policy states that if there is a documented extenuating circumstance after the last day to withdraw, then the student may be eligible for an incomplete. To qualify for an incomplete, a student must have completed 90% of the work for the course, meet the minimum requirements for satisfactory progress, and have a grade of C or better. The student must consult with the instructor and the final decision will be at the instructor’s discretion. If a grade of I is given the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student and professor. This date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the following semester. A grade of I also requires completion and submission of the Incomplete Grade Form to be signed by the faculty member (and student if possible) and submitted to the department chair. If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F”. Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.

Copyright violations. By college policy, there shall be no copying of or from copyrighted works intended to be “consumable” in the course of study or of teaching. These include workbooks, exercises, standardized tests and test booklets and answer sheets and like consumable material. Copying shall not substitute for the purchase of books, publishers’ reprints or periodicals. Please view the Department 's Generative AI policy included in the syllabus. Also view the ACC guidelines on Scholastics Dishonesty and Academic Misconduct. 

Scholastic Dishonesty: A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution.  Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression.  Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents.  Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college. 

Freedom of Expression: Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Student Rights and Responsibilities: Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.  See also “Student Rights and Responsibilities” at http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow.

Student Discipline: All students are expected to respect others in class and behave in a non-disruptive manner. Please refer to the section on student discipline in the ACC Student Handbook for student discipline guidelines. The Student Handbook is available at http://www.austincc.edu/handbook.

Students with Disabilities: Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Student Accessibility Services Department (SAS). Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.   

Safety: Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.

Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

Use of ACC Email: All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account.  Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/index.php.

ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course. The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at http://www.austincc.edu/tutor/.

For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.

Testing Center Policy

Under certain circumstances, an instructor may have students take an examination in a testing center. Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam. To request an exam, one must have:

• ACC Photo ID
• Course Abbreviation (e.g. ENGL)
• Course Number (e.g. 1301)
• Course Synonym (e.g. 10123)
• Course Section (e.g. 005)
• Instructor’s name

Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center. Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the remainder of the semester. ACC Testing Center policies can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/

Lost and Found Please contact the Campus Police – 512-223-2008