Online Lecture Requirement

Language Laboratory requirement

Online workbook & textbook homework requirements

Things to note about the online homework assignments

Grading & homework Policies

Course Outline


Handy Phrases for those first few days!

How to make Spanish letters and accents

Helpful reference books

The Grammar Notes page


Spanish 101A homepage

The drlemon homepage

Ohlone College

Email me!

Participation refers to your activities when in class.  Your participation grade is based on:
  • During class activities you are on task, not working on other assignments or interests.
  • You are speaking Spanish (or trying to) as much as possible.  I am listening for how you speak, how you use the material we are working on, and your pronunciation. I will assist with any question you may have. Please be aware that consistently speaking in English will not only negatively affect your grade, but also that of your partner.
  • You volunteer for exercises and activities.

  • You are courteous and encouraging to your fellow students. Any disrespectful behavior (as I define it) will result in your being dropped immediately from the course.

Attendance

I take attendance daily. Since 40% of your grade is based on participation in class activities (in Spanish), attendance is vital. So here is the dictator stuff:

  • This class grade is negatively affected after two absences in classes which meet 2 days a week and 3 absences in classes which meet 3 days a week.
      • For 2-day a week classes, after two absences, your overall final grade drops 3 points per absence.  After 4 total absences, you will be dropped from the course or receive an F if the total occurs after the Withdraw date.
      • For 3-day a week classes, after three absences, your final overall grade drops 3 points per absence.  After total 6 absences, you will be dropped from the course or receive an F if the total occurs after the Withdraw date.
  • There is an increased demand for Spanish 101A courses. As a result, students who
    • do not attend the first class, or the second class, or the third class, or who are absent two or more consecutive days during the first month of class, or who miss 4/6 classes throughout the semester, may be dropped.

  • College classes have no excused absences: it is like going to an hourly-paid job. If you take a day off work, you don't get paid. If you take off too much time, you will get fired. Save your absences for real emergencies that come up in life.

Since late arrivals are disruptive, please make every effort to arrive a few minutes early: Three (3) late arrivals count as one absence.

  • Disruptive behavior (which can include playing with computers, cell phones, iPods, sleeping, texting, chatting (especially in English), working on another class's work and any other non-Spanish 101A class-related activites at any time during class) also constitutes an absence. Such activities may also result in your being dropped from the course or receiving an F.
  • Failure to have a textbook by the second class will count as an Absence. You will be dropped if you fail to have the text by the end of the second week of classes.
  • If you have a possible emergency situation, clear it with me first, then keep your phone on vibrate in your pocket. If you must answer, please leave the class.
  • Cell phones MUST be turned OFF during projects and exams, no exceptions. Failure to do so will result in an F on all work to date of incident and you may be dropped.