Spanish 1
Spanish 1
Grades 9 & up
Course Description+
Spanish 1 focuses on the development of a student's communicative competence in Spanish and their understanding of the culture(s) of Spanish-speaking countries. Communicative competence is divided into three areas:
1. speaking and writing as an interactive process in which students learn to communicate with other speakers
2. reading and listening as a receptive process in which comprehension of Spanish texts is developed
3. speaking and writing in a presentational context in which students are focused on the organization of thoughts and awareness of their audience in delivering information
Students learn to communicate in real-life contexts about topics that are relevant and useful. In order to develop the three areas of communicative competence, students are encouraged to use the Spanish language as much as possible. Rather than having grammar isolated as a separate strand, it is integrated into instruction according to the vocabulary and structures needed in the various situations in which students are required to function. Through the language learning process, students develop an understanding of how their own language is structured and how their own culture has unique aspects. An important component of Spanish classes is the use of the Spanish language beyond the classroom in order to apply knowledge of the language in the real world.
This 6-week course is offered for first time credit, for credit grade replacement, or for non-credit enrichment in preparation for taking the course in the future. Please check with your school regarding credit from outside institutions.
Session 1A: 6/09/25 - 6/27/25 (8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) (EST) - 0.50 credit- In person Broward or Online
Session 2A: 6/30/25 - 7/18/25 (8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) (EST) - 0.50 credit - In person Broward or Online - Closed 7/04/25
For full 1.00 credit the student MUST complete both 'A' or 'B' sessions (6-weeks)
For 0.50 credit or audit the student may take first session only '1B' (first 3 weeks)
Meet Jeanina Gould+
Jeanina Gould holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Universidad Federada, Costa Rica. Mrs. Gould worked as a journalist for the press office at Legislature Assembly in Costa Rica, her home country, for 15 years. Mrs. Gould holds a teaching certificate in World Languages Spanish K-12 from the Florida Department of Education and has been an educator for the past eight years in Miami. She has experience teaching Spanish and working with high school students to help them succeed in the Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 accelerated courses. She is currently an Upper School Spanish teacher at American Heritage Schools.
Meet Marysol Swett+
Marysol Swett, a graduate of the University of Chile with a Bachelor of Science in Business and a postgraduate degree in Computerized Auditing, has been teaching for 23 years. She has taught junior high, high school, and college classes. She has been a part of the American Heritage School faculty for 15 years, teaching high school Spanish and tutoring in math (Algebra1, Algebra 2, and Geometry).
Meet Erin Alderfer+
Erin Alderfer, proud mother of two boys and 10 year veteran Spanish teacher, is a Pennsylvania native who studied at Temple University. At Temple she earned her Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master's in Education. Erin lived in Costa Rica for two years, learning more of the language and culture before returning to Pennsylvania to teach. Recently, she relocated to Florida and started teaching Spanish 2 and Spanish 3 at American Heritage School.
Additional Course Information+
A class may be canceled if fewer than 6 students enroll, and a specific teacher is not guaranteed. It is the parents’ responsibility to check with their child's school when seeking credit for a course. For online courses, the students’ cameras MUST be turned on at all times, and attendance is mandatory. To protect the privacy rights of all, there is absolutely no videotaping or recording by students during the course. Students must be age appropriate for the course, and all students must adhere to proper online etiquette. For online courses, young children must be supervised by a parent at all times.