To Learn Spanish By

The basic rule of thumb is "respect".
Respect yourself and others.
Choose* appropriate behaviors and make good decisions.

With that to guide you, we don't have to have a rule for every little issue.
For example, I don't have to explicitly say, "NO CELL PHONES"
since receiving a call or checking your phone during class would be disrespectful (downright rude, actually).

If this still isn't clear, keep reading . . .

 

Do attend every class! Don't cut !

This is not a correspondence class. You must be here to learn and to contribute. Incurring an "unexcused" absence has serious and long-term consequences. I take it very personally that a student would choose to miss Spanish class.

Trust me: Whatever "better offer" you might entertain instead of coming to class will not be worth it. Choose* wisely.

Don't arrive late! Do arrive on time!

Arriving late disrupts the class, the lesson, and results in missed instruction. (Plus: It's just plain rude.)

Do have assignments completed on time! Don't (try to) hand in late work!

Homework must already be completed by the time it is checked.
It won't be much use once we've already gone over it, and therefore it won't be accepted.

Don't cheat! Do complete your own work!

This is, or should be, a clear choice*.

If you choose to cheat you are not being fair to yourself (you will not be able to evaluate your mastery of the material). You will also not be respecting your classmates (who have chosen to study and earn their grades the old fashioned way). Of course, it is also deeply disrespectful of the instructor as well.

ALSO: If the above explanation doesn't bring out your ethical behavior gene, remember the following: If you are discovered to have engaged in cheating (behavior which includes, but is not limited to, copying another's work or using inappropriate aides during an exam) you will:

• earn a grade of ZERO for the assignment
• your parents will be notified
• your assistant principal will be informed

Do NOT choose* to give your hard-earned work to someone else to copy. Helping someone else to cheat doesn't exactly count as ethical behavior. This choice* will land you in the same position as the recipient of your work. Ask yourself if it's worth the risk.

Do participate positively and actively! Don't distract or discourage others!

Your grade will be partly determined by how much you contribute to class.

Keep in mind that learning a second language means taking risks.

"What if I say it wrong?", "I'll be so embarrassed!", "She sounds better than me"

None of these statements will make you a better Spanish speaker. Try things out, make mistakes. That's how learning takes place.

Remember it's tough enough for everyone - Make it easier and more fun for everyone!

Don't eat or drink in class! Do eat/drink beforehand!

With over 150 students in and out of our little classroom each day, things can get just too darned messy. It's not a cafeteria and there isn't anyone there (but good old Señor) to clean up, and, what with all the teaching Spanish and stuff, there's just no time to mop and shine. Let's respect the other students and teachers who also use the class and leave them a space without smelly crumbs or mysterious carpet stains.

* ¡Hola! Have you picked up on a theme here?! That's right. The CHOICE is yours. We're talking FREE WILL here, muchachos. CHOOSE those actions which will result in POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES (such as increased knowledge and an unblemished reputation). Why go to the DARK SIDE?