Foreign language students are often significantly challenged by their first class in literature or civilization, partly because of inadequate practice with some very specific skills essential to success at the new level. By identifying a series of these often neglected micro skills and introducing them earlier in the curriculum, we can pave the way for a more confident transition to advanced classes. The presentation will include examples of activities based on the movie La misma luna to demonstrate strategies that have helped students proceed with greater confidence into the content courses.
Debra Ames is an Associate Professor of Spanish at Valparaiso University with a dual appointment in the International Studies Department where she heads the program in International Economics and Cultural Affairs. She teaches at all levels of the Spanish curriculum but particularly enjoys the 4th semester language and introduction to literature classes. Her research centers on human rights violations under Latin American dictatorships and the ways in which memorials, art and social media are being used in the ongoing search for justice. She frequently contributes pedagogy sessions at meetings of the AATSP and was honored last year by the Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association as Spanish Teacher of the Year, University Level.
This talk is sponsored by the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, and will be given in English.