This book uses a content-based approach, stressing vocabulary and functional use of language. The programme is designed as a sequenced set of materials for the first two years of instruction in college Spanish. Certain concepts that have been traditionally taught as first-year grammar are either presented here as vocabulary or have been moved to the second-year text. Units, organized like individual "magazines" within the text, focus on topics that relate to students' lives and that they will want to read about and discuss: human behaviour, fitness and health, animals and so on. Grammar topics are interspersed throughout the text, presented in manageable bits or steps that provide for continual review and re-entry of topics. Exercises to master structures are found in the students' workbook/lab manual. Tapes, software and instructor's manuals are also available.
'SABÍAS QUE... ? is organized into 6 units, each with its own theme: Ourselves, Our families, Food, Health, The Human Animal, and the Future.
Each unit contains 3 lessons for a total of 18
lecciónes. The first two lessons of each unit concentrate on oral proficiency while the third lesson incorporates oral work with reading and writing practice.
In addition to providing students with authentic content, 'SABÍAS QUE... ? gives them authentic cooperative tasks to complete. When they are communicating to complete such interactive tasks as interviewing one another to create family trees, students have both a context and a purpose for using their new language skills.
The cumulative task at the end of each lesson Intercambio acts as a clearly defined proficiency goal; if a student can complete the task, then she/he has learned the necessary material for that lesson.
'SABÍAS QUE... ? presents grammar in the context of the content areas of the book. It contains no purely mechanical exercises but offers instead meaningful practice and communicative activities making the text more interesting to teachers and students alike.
'SABÍAS QUE... ? contains somewhat fewer grammar topics than most first year texts so that both teachers and students can concentrate on the structures that are most important for beginning students to learn.
'SABÍAS QUE... ? is designed so that the main sections of each Lección, called Ideas para explorar, can be completed in one class meeting which makes planning lessons and constructing syllabi easier. In addition, the authors of 'SABÍAS QUE... ? have constructed their program in such a way that homework assignments follow up material presented in class, rather than expecting students to prepare new material before class.
The complete grammar explanations and verb paradigms have been moved from the workbook to the textbook.
Unit III (Food) has been thoroughly revised and is now more engaging and student-focused. Unit IV includes a new lesson on travel plans, traveling, and other survival skills.
Grammar summaries are provided at the end of each unit so that students can review at a glance the material presented in the unit.
Three new features have been added to the second edition:
ASÍ SE DICE boxes offer special information on grammar and "watch out" asides to students. Many contrast English and Spanish to help students "think" in Spanish.
The CONSEJO PRÁCTICO feature provides study hints, reading and writing tips, and so on.
NOTAS COMMUNICATIVAS are suggestions for managing conversations, colloquialisms, conversational gambits, and the like.
Sections called LOS HISPANOS HABLAN introduce students to Spanish speakers from all over the world to expose them to cultural and language differences. Each LOS HISPANOS HABLAN section is now accompanied by its own follow-up activity and many are included on the new student listening comprehension tape.
Lively VISTAZOS sections at the ends of the lessons include short literary selections with interactive activities.
Every student copy of the text is packaged with a listening comprehension tape for students. The student tape contains voices of some of the people quoted in the LOS HISPANOS HABLAN sections of the text and readings from the VISTAZOS feature along with additional material.
The two Workbook/Lab Manuals now include self-quizzes at the end of each lesson that focus on both proficiency and comprehension.
