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Welcome to a conversational program designed to develop fluency in the following languages:

French  1000 (Tuesday nights at 6:30 / 3 credit hours)

Italian   1000 (Wednesday nights at 6:30 / 3 credit hours)

Spanish 1010 (Monday nights at 6:30 / 3 credit hours)

Spanish 1200 (Thursday nights at 6:30 / 3 credit hours)

The above classes are designed for beginners, and do not have prerequisites.

My European and American educational background has exposed me to various systems of instruction. For my conversational program, I have chosen the traditional format.

Specifically, students will meet with me once a week with their required textbook and instructor's material. We will work together on correct pronunciation, basic grammar, writing and reading. All of the above are necessary components for the development of excellent conversational skills in the target language.

Various lab activities are available to all students enrolled in a foreign language class, and I strongly encourage participation. Electronic media can be used as a supplement to the core curriculum. However, I do not make it a requirement for successful completion of the conversational program, relying instead upon face to face interpersonal communication.

In general, my conversational classes are small groups of students, joined together by their common desire to develop conversational skills. My traditional approach avoids "one format fits all" by offering flexibility, since I can make arrangements for independent work and self-paced studies with each of my students.

By the end of the semester the expected goals are:

1. Perfecting pronunciation with regular practice.
2. Writing and reading at a desirable level for beginners.
3. Developing conversational skills which allow students to express themselves in the context of their chosen areas of emphasis in the present, past, and future tenses.

Desired attitudes toward the course:

1.  A willingness to share ideas with others.
2.  A desire to converse with others.
3.  To appreciate the classroom as an active environment of intellectual challenge and exchange.

Units to be covered during the term:

1. Introduction to the basics of the target language, with emphasis on communication.
2. Presentation of basic grammar, syntax, and conversational patterns.
3. Selection of supplementary materials necessary for communication  - dialogue prototypes are fully integrated with their corresponding grammar foundation.

Assessment measures: 200 possible points achievable with 2 exams (50 points each), class participation (50 points), oral and written assignments (50 points).

Conversational classes are offered in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. Feel free to visit with me in my office (A-319, hours by appointment - 224-0229) to discuss your needs in foreign languages, and the time available to achieve your goals.

For intermediate and advanced classes in French and Italian, students will proceed with an in-depth presentation and practice of all verbal tenses. Also, I will introduce various aspects of the civilization associated with the target language, including literary works, to enhance and reinforce conversational skills.

Contact me for advanced classes in Spanish and before purchasing textbooks for intermediate and advanced classes in the above languages, in order for me to establish your level of proficiency and to decide how you should proceed.

Thank you for your interest!

Atti Padoan

August 2007   /  With all rights reserved

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