Spanish

Studying a language other than one's native tongue can improve your ability to communicate, to develop cultural awareness and sensitivity, to expand general knowledge, and to promote a deeper appreciation for other cultures.

Completing the baccalaureate degree or graduate work will give you an advantage in today's competitive global market. You will be able to demonstrate ability to work in a culturally diverse environment and possess strong communication skills in more than one language.

Proficiency in more than one language also enhances your occupational opportunities in government, business, education, law, health care, technology, the military, communications, and public service.

Anyone can acquire a new language. If you already have experience with the language or if you are a native speaker, you can also brush up or boost your language skills.

• The first way to assess your course placement is by reviewing the prerequisites needed for the course you are interested in taking.
• If you are a native speaker or grew up speaking and reading Spanish at home, or have had significant life experience with Spanish, the best fit for you might be SPN 210.
• If you are unsure about your placement, feel free to contact Profesora Velázquez directly: vvelazquez@mendocino.edu, or your instructor. We are always glad to assist you.

SPN 200
Yo y mi familia. Describing yourself and your family; talking about school life; telling time; talking about the weather, favorite activities, hobbies, sports, travel, and shopping. (No prerequisites)

SPN 201

Yo y mi comunidad. Talking about yourself and your community; routines, food, celebrations, traditions, health, technology, your home, and more food. (2+ years of high school Spanish or equivalent)

SPN 202

Yo y la sociedad. Talking about yourself and society; interpersonal and social issues, the environment, culture, music, and (social) media, urban life, intro to literature (short and sweet). (3+ years of high school Spanish or equivalent)

SPN 210

Nuestra lengua, nuestra herencia. Being Latinx in the US; Diego Rivera y sus murales en México, la Cholita Luchadora en Bolivia, el Día de los Muertos en Ecuador, un viaje virtual a Machu Picchu, la música folclórica de Chile, las tiras cómicas de Mafalda en Argentina; leyendas, refranes y adivinanzas; los acentos. This course is equivalent to SPN 202. (Perfect for heritage and native Speakers)

¿Ya hablas español? Our Spanish for Spanish Speakers pathway will help you develop further your reading and writing skills in Spanish. Boost your grammar and spelling (including accents!), practice your oral and written expression, and increase your vocabulary.

¿Sabes quiénes fueron Sor Juana, César Chávez, Pablo Neruda, Celia Cruz y Salvador Dalí? Plus, enhance your cultural knowledge of Spanish-speaking cultures: Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Spain, and Latinxs in the U.S.

Join us if you are interested in receiving an associate degree (A.A.) in Spanish, getting units in Spanish for transfer, or as a personal goal.

We can help you develop these useful marketable skills:

• Ability to communicate (orally and in writing) in Spanish at academic and professional levels.
• Advanced oral and written comprehension.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Broader and more nuanced cultural knowledge of the Spanish-speaking world.
• Confidence in your linguistic abilities.

• Degrees offered through our Native Speakers Pathway

  A.A. in Spanish for Transfer

  A.A. in Spanish for Native Speakers

  Native Speakers Pathway Courses

  SPN 210 Spanish for Native Speakers: Level I

  SPN 211 Spanish for Native Speakers: Level II

  SPN 212 Introduction to Latin American Literature and Film

Anyone can learn a language. To become successful in your path toward language proficiency, consistency and perseverance are your best bet.

• Stay informed
  • Read the course syllabus. A syllabus is a summary of the course requirements you need to be successful in your course. It will help you understand how the class works, the assignments your need to complete, and it also can be helpful in planning your time.
  • Check your emails and your Canvas announcements at least once a week.
  • Check what’s for homework every week. Write it down on your planner at the beginning of the week.
  • Use MyMendo to check your grades and other essential information.
     
• Stay connected
  • Reach out to your instructor if you need help. Email them or go to office hours. They are here to assist you.
  • Go to tutoring. It is available every week and it is free.
  • Download the Canvas/Supersite Student app.
     
• Stay engaged
  • Come to class each week.
  • Do a little bit everyday! Enjoy the process and avoid getting behind.
  • Practice weekly with a conversation partner, even 5 minutes helps.
  • Make it a habit! Make Spanish language part of your daily routine.
     
• Avoid
  • ​Missing class or assignments. Participation and practice are essential for learning a new language.
  • Speaking in English during class. Class time is a perfect opportunity to practice your Spanish. Do your best!
  • Using Google Translate or other automatic translation tools and services. Practice makes perfect.
  • Relying on your dictionary. It might prevent you from speaking fluently. Instead, try experimenting with the vocabulary at your disposal.
  • Focusing only on your grade. Grades are NOT a reflection of who you are or your abilities. Instead, focus on your progress to measure your success.
  • Enrollment in the wrong class. To make the most out of your language experience, we recommend finding the best fit for you. We can help!

Spanish Tutoring

If you consider that you need extra support with the class materials, or if you would like additional conversation practice, you can attend free online tutoring. Tutoring is offered for this class both through the Mendocino College Learning Center (using Pisces) and through NetTutor. We encourage you to take full advantage of this resource. Both tutoring sites can be accessed using the Navigation Menu in Canvas.

There are two options for Spanish tutoring:

1. Learning Center

We are very fortunate to be able to count on Carmen Gallegos' assistance for Spanish tutoring. Carmen has been tutoring for our department for a year now through the Learning Center. We are very excited to announce that she will continue working with us this semester. Tutoring offered by the Learning Center will be online and there is no cost to our students.

Times: Mondays 4-6 pm

Where: Click on Learning Center Tutoring in the Navigation Menu.

Or contact Ms. Gallegos: carmen.gallegos@student.mendocino.edu

2. NetTutor

Spanish tutoring is also available through NetTutor. NetTutor offers drop-in hours (posted in the website) and you can drop off a question too. As with the Learning Center tutoring, there is no cost for tutoring through NetTutor.

Where: Click on NetTutor in the Navigation Menu in Canvas.

Times:

Monday 5 AM - 10:30 AM

Wednesday 5 AM - 10:30 AM

Thursday 5 AM - 10:30 AM

Friday 5 AM - 10:30 AM

Times might shift during the semester.

Student Resources

MyMendo. MyMendo: is your one-stop student portal at Mendocino College. Your MyMendo personalized student account will provide you with access to everything you need to be a Mendocino College student, like access to your email, financial aid, to plan and register for classes, view your academic records, check your grades, see billing information, and more. To access MyMendo, visit: my.mendocino.edu and log in using your college login credentials.

New Student Orientation. The online New Student Orientation is designed to facilitate your transition and integration into the college learning environment. It contains valuable information about the academic resources and student support services that are available to you. You will need to log in to access the New Student Orientation.

Mendocino College Academic Calendar 2021-2022. The academic calendar includes important information about our instructional start and end dates, holidays, breaks, commencement, add and drop deadlines.

Canvas. Whether you are taking online (Distance Education) or on-ground courses, chances are your instructors will direct you to their Canvas course. This is a very useful platform as it contains important information for your courses, it allows you to communicate with your instructors and classmates, and it serves as your instructional platform.

Online Resources. Mendocino College offers several student support services online in order to help you succeed with your educational goals. Some of these services include technology support, equipment (Chrome Books and hotspots), Food Pantry services, among others.