Fuentes: Conversacion y gramatica

FUENTES, the successful two volume intermediate Spanish program presents an integrated skills approach to intermediate Spanish that develops both receptive and productive skills simultaneously. Fuentes is made up of FUENTES: CONVERSACIÓN Y GRAMÁTICA (FCG) and FUENTES: LECTURA Y REDACCIÓN (FLR). Although FUENTES: CONVERSACIÓN Y GRAMÁTICA and FUENTES: LECTURA Y REDACCIÓN are designed to be used together, they can also be used independently of each other. FUENTES: CONVERSACIÓN Y GRAMÁTICA, Fourth Edition, is organized by chapter theme, grammar, functions, and vocabulary. Fuentes program approach and philosophy: We learn by doing. By using the language to communicate original thoughts, in oral and written form, and by interacting with written texts and recorded conversations, students will acquire a high degree of proficiency Skill integration promotes language development. Each skill reinforces the others; therefore, students learn to comprehend and produce language while practicing specific strategies for listening, reading, and writing. Many activities combine skills to better reflect real-life language use. Language is culture, and culture is reflected in language. By being exposed to real-life situations and by comparing the new cultures with their own, students acquire an awareness of and respect for other peoples. Spiraling of material is essential to move students from learning to acquisition. Continuous and systematic reentry of previously studied material while learning about new topics leads students to acquisition of language needed to carry out specific functions. Learning is enhanced when it is enjoyable. If the material presented places students in a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere, and if students enjoy class activities, their rate of success increases.

Recognizing the knowledge and skills gained in first-year Spanish, the Fuentes program builds students' language proficiency by systematically refining receptive and productive skills while encouraging students to compare, contrast, and develop an appreciation of Spanish-speaking cultures. Students gain confidence through a wealth of integrated-skills practice that not only promotes recycling of previously learned materials, but also motivates them to express, infer, and negotiate meaning in the context of real-life situations.The two volumes of this program are linked by language functions, vocabulary, and high-interest, relevant themes that serve to promote critical thinking and classroom discussion. Conversación y gram'tica focuses on the development of listening and speaking skills while building on first-year grammar concepts. Lectura y redacción concentrates on the development of students' reading and writing skills through systematic practice and the presentation of a variety of cultural and literary selections. The two volumes may be used together or independently to meet course objectives.

Debbie Rusch has been the coordinator of Elementary Spanish at Boston College since 1990. She is the author of Imégenes, ?Claro que s?!, Fuentes: Conversación y gram'tica, and En parejas 1, 2, 3 y 4. At Boston College she teaches pedagogy courses. She has been an instructor of Spanish for more than a quarter of a century and has also taught English as a Foreign Language in Spain where she lived for more than six years. She is a frequent presenter at state, regional, and national conferences and conducts workshops for school districts.

Marcela Domónguez is from Argentina and was most recently a Lecturer at the University of Southern California. She was also a lecturer and coordinator at Pepperdine University for seven and three years respectively. She is the author of Imégenes, ?Claro que s?!, Fuentes: Conversación y gram'tica, and En parejas 1, 2, 3 y 4. Her training is in Teaching English as a Foreign and Second Language and in Applied Linguistics. She is a frequent presenter at national conferences on language pedagogy and teaching techniques.

Luc-a Caycedo Garner is from Colombia. She taught language and pedagogy courses for more than 30 years at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and is the author of Imégenes, ?Claro que s?!, Fuentes: Conversación y gram'tica, Fuentes: Literatura y redacción and En parejas 1, 2, 3 y 4. She was an ACTFL OPI tester and trainer. She was a frequent presenter at the local, state, and national levels. She was also a contributor to the University of Wisconsin Spanish Placement Exam.