T
he use of video in the classroom can be a wonderful asset to the World Languages teacher and a most beneficial learning tool for the language student. Video enables students to experience whatever it is they are learning in their textbook in a real-life setting. With each lesson, they are able to take a vicarious field trip. They see people interacting at home, at school, at the market, etc., in an authentic milieu. Students sitting in a classroom can see real people going about their real life in real places. They may experience the target culture in many countries. The cultural benefits are limitless.
Developing listening and viewing skills In addition to its tremendous cultural value, video, when properly used, gives students much needed practice in developing good listening and viewing skills. Video allows students to look for numerous clues that are evident in a tone of voice, facial expressions, and gestures. Through video students can see and hear the diversity of the target culture and, as discerning viewers and listeners, compare and contrast the Spanish-speaking cultures to each other and to their own culture. Video introduces a dimension into classroom instruction that no other medium—teachers, overhead, text, audio CDs—can provide.
Reinforcing learned language Video that is properly developed for classroom use has speakers reincorporate the language students have learned in a given lesson. In keeping with reality, however, speakers introduce some new words, expressions, and structures because students functioning in a real-life situation would not know every word native speakers use with them in a live conversation. The lively and interactive nature of video allows students to use their listening and viewing skills to comprehend new language in addition to seeing and hearing the language they have learned come to life.
Getting the most out of video The intrinsic benefit of video is often lost when students are allowed to read the scripted material before viewing. In many cases, students will have come to understand language used by the speakers in the video by means of reading comprehension, thus negating the inherent benefits of video as a tool to develop listening and viewing skills. Because today’s students are so accustomed to the medium of video as a tool for entertainment and learning, a well-written and well-produced video program will help them develop real-life language skills and confidence in those skills in an enjoyable way.
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478
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cuatrocientos setenta y ocho
Episodio Episodio Episodio Episodio Episodio Episodio Episodio
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Soy Francisco. Soy español. Soy de Madrid, España.
Soy Alberto. Soy colombiano. Soy de Bogota, Colombia. Soy Alejandra. Soy mexicana. Soy de la Ciudad de México.
Soy Vicky. Soy argentina. Soy de Buenos Aires.
Soy Claudia. Soy argentina. Soy de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Soy Julián. Soy venezolano. Soy de Caracas, Venezuela.
LITERARY COMPANION
cuatrocientos noventa y uno
479
Episodio 1
«Una mujer misteriosa» en la estación de ferrocarril
Francisco y Claudia leen un libro.
¿Qué piensan ustedes? Inventen algo. 1. ¿Dónde están Francisco y Claudia? 2. ¿Qué tipo de libro leen? 3. ¿Hacen un viaje? 4. ¿Adónde van?
Expansión As you can see from the video, train travel is very popular in some Spanish-speaking countries. Do you think it is as popular where you live? What is your favorite means of transportation for long trips? Why? Survey your friends to find out their preferred means of travel. Share your results with the class.
5. ¿Quién es el otro señor con «la mujer misteriosa»?
480
cuatrocientos ochenta
VIDEO COMPANION
Episodio 2
Vicky y Alberto con cara de sorpresa
Alberto en el restaurante de su tío
¿Qué ven ustedes? 1. un camarero 2. un cliente 3. las papas 4. una propina 5. un vaso de agua
VIDEO COMPANION
Expansión Are there many Hispanic restaurants in your community? Are they representative of a variety of different Spanish-speaking countries? Which ones are they? Do you have a favorite? Look at the menus of the different restaurants in your community or do research on the Internet to find some menus of Hispanic restaurants in this country. Are the foods very different? If any of the Hispanic restaurants in your community are run by a family, speak with one of the family members about the history of their business. Try to do this in Spanish if possible.
cuatrocientos ochenta y uno
481
Episodio 3
Julián trata de ayudar a Alejandra.
Alejandra y Julián están en el café Internet.
¡Adivinen! 1. ¿Qué hacen Alejandra y Julián en el café Internet? 2. ¿De qué hablan Alejandra y Julián? 3. ¿Qué hace la otra gente en el café Internet
482
cuatrocientos ochenta y dos
Expansión You are going to participate in a contest to appear in People en español with your favorite latino actor or musician. You have to send a photograph of yourself and a letter explaining why you admire the artist of your choice. Write the letter. Then explain how you are going to send the letter and the photograph. Think about ways you can do this with modern tecnology.
VIDEO COMPANION
Episodio 4
Francisco y Julián están muy guapos.
Julián y Francisco van de compras.
¿Qué ven ustedes? 1. flores 2. unos carritos 3. una caja 4. el pasillo 5. dos amigos muy bien vestidos
VIDEO COMPANION
Expansión You see in the video that a fifteenth birthday is an important occasion for a young Hispanic girl. What is considered one of the most important birthdays for a young female in the United States? Do some research on the Internet to find out more information about a quinceañera and tell how it compares to a Sweet Sixteen celebration. Give similarities and differences.
cuatrocientos ochenta y tres
483
Episodio 5
Una aventura nueva para Francisco
Francisco y Alejandra van en bicicleta.
¿Sí o no? 1. Alejandra y Francisco están en el parque. 2. Hay un payaso en el parque. 3. Francisco está contento porque va a subir la pared de escala. 4. Alejandra va a subir también.
484
cuatrocientos ochenta y cuatro
Expansión What are some leisure activities that you saw in the video? Are any of them leisure activities that you might enjoy? Do you and your friends go often to the beach or to the park? How do you spend your free time? Do you think Alejandra y Francisco would enjoy doing some of the things you enjoy doing in your free time?
VIDEO COMPANION
Episodio 6
Francisco está en el cuarto del hotel.
Francisco habla con el recepcionista en el hotel.
¡Usen su imaginación! The name of the hotel that Francisco is going to stay in is El Hotel Casa Cucharacha. Try to think of what kind of a night he is going to have. In groups, act out what you think might happen if you were to stay in a hotel with that name. Then watch the video to find out what really happens.
VIDEO COMPANION
Expansión In the video you visited La Recoleta, a cemetery in Buenos Aires. Do some research to find out more about this famous cemetery and some of the people who are buried there. Write a report about one of these people.
cuatrocientos ochenta y cinco
485
Episodio 7
¿Qué hacen los amigos?
Los amigos discuten algo importante.
¡Usen su imaginación! 1. ¿Qué hacen los amigos? 2. ¿De qué hablan? 3. ¿Qué hace Julián? 4. ¿Qué ropa lleva Alberto? ¿Qué es?
486
cuatrocientos ochenta y seis
Expansión In the Major Leagues in the United States, there are many Hispanic baseball players that have come from many of the Spanishspeaking countries, especially those in the Caribbean. Do some research on the Internet to find out some information about them. Have you ever seen any of them play either at a stadium or on television? Choose one whom you admire and give some information about his life.
VIDEO COMPANION
Episodio 8
El doctor Ernesto ayuda a Vicky.
Alberto y Vicky hablan con un chico.
¡Usen su imaginación! Completen el diálogo. Vicky: Hola, chico. Chico: ¿Qué tal?
VIDEO COMPANION
Expansión Good health is associated with physical activity. Describe a routine of exercise or a sport that could keep you fit. Describe how the sport you play or the exercise you do helps different parts of your body. Describe a weekly schedule that you follow to keep physically fit. If you do not exercise regularly, discuss what type of schedule you would maintain if you were to begin.
cuatrocientos ochenta y siete
487
Episodio 9
Claudia está en el campo.
Julián está en la ciudad.
Contesten. 1. ¿Dónde están Julián y Claudia?
Expansión ¿Prefieres la ciudad o el campo? ¿Por qué? ¿Qué te gusta hacer allí?
2. Describe el lugar donde está Julián. 3. Describe el lugar donde está Claudia. 4. ¿Son muy distintos los dos lugares?
488
cuatrocientos ochenta y ocho
VIDEO COMPANION
Episodio 10
Julián y Alberto llegan con una sorpresa.
Vicky y Alejandra preparan una comida.
Contesten. 1. ¿Dónde están Vicky y Alejandra? 2. Escribe una lista de ingredientes que están en la mesa.
Expansión Encuentra en el Internet una receta para una comida hispana que te gusta. Prepara una lista de compras y si es posible prepara la comida para tu familia.
3. ¿Qué preparan ellas? 4. ¿Quiénes llegan a la puerta? 5. ¿Qué lleva Julián?
VIDEO COMPANION
cuatrocientos ochenta y nueve
489
Episodio 11
Las dos amigas hablan con un policía.
Alejandra y Claudia viajan por el campo.
¡Usen su imaginación! 1. ¿Adónde van Claudia y Alejandra? 2. ¿Por qué hablan con un policía?
490
cuatrocientos noventa
Expansión In the video you see some interesting things about transportation in Peru. Have you ever seen a llama? Is there a farm near you with llamas? Do some research on the Internet to find out more about how useful these animals were and still are in many parts of the Spanish-speaking world. Compare their use there with the way they might be used where you live. Are there many similarities?
VIDEO COMPANION
Episodio 12
Chiquitín hace su «mágico».
Francisco y Claudia están en una peluquería.
Contesten. 1. ¿Qué miran Francisco y Claudia?
Expansión Find in a magazine a hairstyle that you like. Describe to the hairdresser the new haircut or hairstyle that you would like.
2. Describe la peluquería que ves en la foto. 3. ¿Está muy contento Francisco?
VIDEO COMPANION
cuatrocientos noventa y uno
491
Episodio 13
Vicky escucha atentamenta a sus clientes.
Vicky trabaja con dos clientes.
Contesten. 1. Mira bien la foto. ¿Dónde trabaja Vicky? 2. ¿Qué hace Vicky en su trabajo?
Expansión Look for a photograph of a fiesta—a wedding, a birthday, or any other celebration. The photograph can be of your family or from a magazine. Make up a story about the fiesta.
3. Describe a los clientes. 4. Describe la oficina.
492
cuatrocientos noventa y dos
VIDEO COMPANION
Episodio 14
Alejandra acepta un premio.
Los amigos están en el parque.
¡Usen su imaginación! 1. ¿Qué hacen los amigos en el parque? 2. ¿De qué hablan? 3. ¿Qué premio acepta Alejandra?
VIDEO COMPANION
Expansión Do you ever think about what you would like to do when you have finished with your education? How are you preparing yourself for this work? Where is it that you would like to work? Will you be famous? Do you know anyone who does the kind of work you are interested in? If so, interview him or her about the work.
cuatrocientos noventa y tres
493
