Instructor: Norma López-Burton, Department of Spanish and Classics, College of Letters and Science
Description: How do little kids pick up English, Spanish, Chinese, so easily on the playground? Why's it so hard for us adults? What happens—to our mind, our intellect, our feelings, our place in the world—when we learn a new language? And has language teaching through the years made any of this any easier?
These questions and more will be explored in this one unit Freshman Seminar. Emphasis will be on the mechanics of learning a second language and how learning styles, teaching strategies, and. motivation all determine whether learning another language will be satisfying or frustrating. This seminar will be especially instructive for any student thinking about living abroad or contemplating a career in education.
Format: One hour per week for lecture and discussion. Discussions are based on short readings posted on the My.ucdavls.edu website. Before each class, students will be expected to have read that class's selection, taken an online quiz and be ready to speak out in class. Grading: 9 quizzes based on the readings (Readings will be short, two- or three-page excerpts from academic published articles or from current internet postings)- 40%; class participation - 30%; and three final reports. These reports will require the student to observe three language classes and fill out an instructor supplied one-page report - 30%.
About the Instructor: Norma López-Burton has been an instructor at DC Davis for over twenty years, and has supervised the First Year Spanish Program for nine Years. She teaches Spanish 1 II, III and 8 and the graduate course Spanish 390. She has introduced ways to measure the cultural awareness of students and has made cultural understanding proficiency as part of the grade.