This course is designed to build mastery of practical spoken Spanish in its cultural context. The language will be used strategically – to accomplish objectives and resolve conflicts – in situations that relate to everyday life. Linguistic and cultural topics include travel, relationships, food, health, education, sports, entertainment, housing, and jobs. An array of proven language-learning methodologies will be used to build competence. These include role-playing activities, vocabulary expansion, cultural readings, films, oral reports, Internet research, listening activities, pronunciation practice, grammar repair and review, short compositions, and an individual final project. The Honors section features additional mastery activities inside and outside the classroom.