Dear Students and Parents:  

I am excited that you have decided to study Spanish this semester!  Each of you needs to read your syllabus carefully and keep it throughout the year for reference.  It is your guide to my rules, grading scale, classroom procedures, and other information that will be important to you as the semester progresses.  

Learning a second language is not always easy, but with nearly 40 million Hispanic people in the United States, if you apply yourself, it will most definitely be worthwhile.  We will work hard in this class, but we will have fun in the process.  Much, if not most of our class time will be spent using the Spanish language, not simply talking about it.  You will not comprehend every word, so learn to rely on contextual and non-verbal clues for the general idea.  Of co urse, if you have a question – ask!  I also expect  you  to use Spanish as much as possible in class.  Remember: making mistakes will be an unavoidable, integral, and  important  part of this process!  Not only will we learn from each other’s mistakes, but your own mistakes will help you gain confidence in yourself and your ability to speak Spanish.  

Most importantly, “mi casa es su casa”—my door is always open!  

Hasta pronto,

Miss Berg