FL 133 Basic Spanish for Hospitality Management

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Fall 2002

COURSE INFORMATION

Credit hours:                                  2

Location and  time:                        GEB 242       W 6:00- 7:50 p.m.                                           

Textbooks required:                        Casado, Matt A.  Conversational Spanish for Hospitality

Managers and Supervisors. Wiley, 1995

Recommended:                         Spanish- English Dictionary

                                                      English Grammar for Students of Spanish, Spinelli

Supplies:                                   3-ring binder for class notes/homework/handouts/

worksheets

paper, pencils, red pen for homework correction

COURSE DESCRIPTION:      

In this basic course, students will be introduced to terminology related to the Hospitality industry, basic Spanish grammar, and phrases related to work.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completing this course, the student will:

1.      Express oneself orally in basic sentences and memorized phrases related to the hospitality industry.

2.      Demonstrate the ability to manage simple conversations related to work in hotels, restaurants, and kitchens.

3.      Give instructions related to daily tasks.

4.      Master vocabulary related to hospitality management.

CONTENT OUTLINE AND COMPETENCIES:

1.      Express oneself orally in basic sentences and memorized phrases related to the hospitality industry.

1. Use common courtesy expressions appropriately.
2. Introduce oneself and his/her position in the business.
3. Create sentences relating to personal information and job functions.
4. Reproduce  personal pronouns.

2.      Demonstrate the ability to manage simple conversations related to work in hotels, restaurants and kitchens.

1. Use memorized questions to learn personal information related to the field.
2. Create sentences relating to work procedures and immediate needs.
3. Inform employees about procedures related to food preparation, room maintenance, and restaurant service.
4. Answer questions about locations of related objects.
5. Conjugate verbs related to the work environment.
6. Use memorized phrases to create questions to check if tasks were done.

3.      Give instructions related to daily tasks.

1. Produce the command form of verbs derived from the infinitive form of the verb.
2. Use verbs that imply an order or request for action.
3. List a series of requests or commands in sequence using sentence connectors, e.g. cooking recipes.

4.       Master vocabulary related to hospitality management.

1. Use topical vocabulary in simple sentences.
2. Read simple text dealing with learned material, such as hotel and restaurant ads.
3. Recite lists of vocabulary related to hotel rooms, restaurants, food preparation, and kitchen furnishings.

METHODS OF EVALUATION:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods.

Written / oral quizzes on vocabulary and grammar topics       20%

Class participation and attendance,                                           20%

Homework                                                                                  20%

Mid term (oral)                                                                20%

Final (oral)                                                                                 20%

Grading will be based on the following level of mastery of stated competencies:

            90 – 100 %              A

            80 – 89 %                     B

            70 – 79 %                     C

            60 – 69 %                     D

            0  -  59 %                     F

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

The study of a foreign language includes these four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening.  In this course, we will put more emphasis in speaking and listening, but some reading and writing will also be addressed and sometimes required.  Read the following guidelines on class expectations.

a)       Classroom and class participation- Emphasis of classroom time will be on developing listening and speaking skills.  Participation and preparation are key to a successful mastery of these skills.  We will practice using individual, pair and group activities.   We will also use audio and video tapes for listening comprehension practice from actual television or radio programs.  Most activities will be done in Spanish.  I will try to use as much Spanish as possible to train your ear.

To successfully complete this course, regular classroom attendance is imperative to master the two skills mentioned above.  Your grade includes attendance, arriving on time and staying the entire time, active class participation (in Spanish especially) in pair and group activities in Spanish, and preparedness.  If you cannot make to class because of illness of work related matters, please contact me to make arrangements on homework and assignments.  Be aware that your class participation grade will be affected because you are not participating in the classroom activities.

b)      Written and  oral assignments. (20% of total grade) You will have oral/written homework every time we meet,  and it will be checked and/or collected at the beginning of class.  Have it ready everyday.   Bring your workbook  to class every time we meet.  Late work will only be accepted if you have an excused absence (see below for what I consider an excused absence). The workbook provides mechanical writing practice  and  communicative writing activities.

Important: Please, do not wait until an hour before class to complete assignments.  Practice your vocabulary and your verbs every night for 20 –40 minutes every night.  Since we only meet once a week, the amount of work to do will be considerable, and it is not a good idea to forget what we went over in class for six days and go back to the material a week later. You will forget what we did.  Be consistent with the times that you dedicate to Spanish every day.

c)       Exams. You will have a mid-term, and a  final oral exams. Do not miss any of these evaluations since they represent 40% of your grade(20%each).  If you have a valid excuse – work related or sickness- you will need to get in touch with me as soon as possible.  Make-up tests will only be given in extreme cases and have to be taken in my office during office hours or during morning hours.  You might also be asked to present some documentation in order to make up any test or quiz.  In order to prepare for oral quizzes and exams, I encourage you to visit our JCCC Spanish tutors, Mirelia and Viviana, free of charge and always willing to help you.  You’ll be getting a bookmark with the times and location where they’ll be available this semester.

d)       Quizzes.  Short written and oral quizzes will be given every one or two weeks just to keep you on  track with your study.  The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.  If you miss a quiz due to an absence, that can be counted as your lowest grade.  Again, only under extreme circumstances make-ups will be allowed. 

e)       Classroom behavior.  Mutual respect and civility is expected during class.   Please avoid  disruptive behavior such as showing up late to class, arriving unprepared, being rude or using profanity, this is not permissible.  As students get to know their peers sometimes they want to socialize in class, leave the conversation for before or after.  Be considerate of others.  IMPORTANT:  TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE OR SIMILAR DEVISE  BEFORE YOU ENTER THE CLASSROOM or a penalty decided by the class will follow.  It is only common courtesy.

Helpful  tips that may help you study Spanish.

-Spanish is an acquired skill,  memorization, everyday study and practice are needed.  Do your homework and dedicate 20 minutes minimum everyday to review and study the material. PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

-  Flashcards are useful to study vocabulary, write the word/s several times to practice spelling.  Use them to quiz yourself;  look at the English and say and rewrite the Spanish, and check your answer.

-         Try to read or study aloud as much as possible: this helps connect your eye-memory to your ear-memory.

-  Always study the gender along with the vocabulary.  This is a major difference between Spanish and English, and most beginning students have problems with it.

-  Get magazines, newspapers, videos in Spanish.  Try to get the main idea of an ad, or paragraph.  Use the internet to go to Spanish websites and try to read them.

-  Do not be afraid of making mistakes when you want to communicate.  You will hear your own pronunciation and your instructor will be able to correct what might become a permanent error.

-  Take advantage of the Tutorial Service at JCCC.  Sign up for a tutor just to talk, listen and practice.  You do not have to have a grammar problem to have a tutor.

Please,  do not hesitate  to come to me with questions.  I am always willing to give extra help, assuming you are attending class and participating regularly, but you need to come see me immediately if you are having problems.