Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to a new school year! I hope it will be a particularly successful one for our students. The study of foreign languages can sometimes seem daunting and presently I would like to provide an overview of how we will proceed in class and recommend that you contact me if you have any questions. My e-mail address in castroc@xavierhs.org or you can call the school at 212-924-7900, ext. 1308 and leave a message on voicemail.  Below is some information on classroom procedures, course requirements and grading systems.

All students are required to bring to class a pen, loose-leaf, textbook and notebook and to take notes on a daily basis. The work in level I includes intensive oral practice and drills.  Written exercises reinforce grammar concepts.   In level II students are asked not only to complete exercises and do reading assignments, but also in-depth grammar work.   Please be aware that the computer translation programs available through the internet can help when used as a dictionary but when the program does the actual translation assignment, the student has been cheated of valuable practice. These programs are useful for teaching computer skills--not foreign language skills. I strongly discourage their use.

Homework is assigned every night and is to be completed in an acceptable manner (neatly, thoughtfully and with an appropriate heading). Students must do their own homework as this will help them to understand the material. An assignment copied from another student results in a grade of zero. If it happens more than once I will refer the student to the Dean of Students. Homework is worth approximately 100 points per quarter and can make a significant impact on a student's grade.

Quizzes are given daily. They can be either written or oral or both. The material is based on the previous lesson or on specific vocabulary or grammar points. These quizzes usually add up to 100 points per quarter.
Each exam is worth 100 points and is usually based on an entire chapter.  

Projects may be assigned periodically. These can be essays, museum outings, maps, internet assignments, group projects or presentations. Students will receive advance notice regarding due dates and preparation time. I cannot overstate the importance of handing in assignments on time.


Exam dates, project information and homework assignments will be posted on the web. Therefore, if a student is absent, he will have access to the assignments and the lessons missed.

I would just like to add a final word on participation and classroom demeanor. I expect students to participate fully in the target language as it is the best way to learn. Participation also allows the entire class to benefit from each student. Students should be respectful to each other and to the teacher at all times and should strive to maintain a positive and supportive attitude towards each other. Any student experiencing difficulty should feel free to speak to me after class or in the foreign language office. I thank you in advance for your efforts and I look forward to working with you and your sons.
 

Spanish1

Spanish 2

Information for Parents

Prayers

Home

About Mrs. Castro

E-mail Mrs. Castro