| 1. |
Raise your hand and participate! In this class you can get points
for participating. Most of the time your answer does not have to be right
in order for you to earn a point. |
| 2. |
Ask questions when you need clarification. You can be sure there
are other students who need the same clarification. If you would like to,
you could also e-mail me at jurbina@pausd.palo-alto.ca.us.
My website displays up-to-date assignments and upcoming tests and can be
found at http://www.paly.net/~jurbina/. |
| 3. |
See me before or after school for help. You can make an appointment
or just drop by class. |
| 4. |
Form a study group. Set a schedule to meet. Three or four people
can give you varied resources for help. |
| 5. |
Listen to the radio and watch the TV in Spanish. There are four
local TV stations and six local radio stations. Try a soap opera, the news,
talk shows, musical variety, or anything else that interests you. |
| 6. |
Explain what you learned in class each day to a friend, parent,
or sibling. If you can explain something fully, you show that you understand
it. If you can't, you'll know where you need more clarification. This practice
will help prepare you for a possible pop quiz on the following day. |
| 7. |
Write a note to a friend in Spanish. Try to show off the Spanish
you know. |
| 8. |
Find a native speaker to talk to in Spanish. Mabye at work?
A neigbor? A friend's grandmother? Just a few words now and then can be
very helpful. |
| 9. |
Look at the local newspapers in Spanish. Get them at the local
supermarket checkout stand. |
| 10. |
Do all your homework. Ask me for help if you need to. You can
earn extra credit points this way. Conscientiouslly doing the homework
assignments helps you prepare for pop quizzes and practice what you're
learning. |
| 11. |
Speak only Spanish while in class. Try using Spanish
on campus as well. You will be grading yourself every five weeks on how
much Spanish you use during class. |
| 12. |
Order in Spanish in a Mexican restaurant. It's terrific when
the waiter understands you in Spanish. |
| 13. |
Memorize a short poem or song in Spanish. Improving basic memorization
skills will help you in every class, and you'll be beginning the road to
fluency in Spanish. |
| 14. |
Arrange for a student tutor in the ARC. There are a number of
qualified advanced students who are available. |
| 15. |
Attend class everyday. When you are absent, you miss valuable
instruction, drill, and listening and speaking practice. |
| 16. |
Listen in class. Listening (actively) is an important skill
to develop and will help you to understand the material. |
| 17. |
Follow directions. In addition to verbal directions, be aware
of written directions in textbooks, on the blackboard, on tests and around
the classroom. |
| 18. |
Have fun, take risks, and enjoy yourself in class. Get involved
in activities (even if they seem silly) and enjoy yourself whenever possible. |