Redesign Introductory Spanish Redesign

The University of Alabama Introductory Spanish Program served 1046 students in the academic year 2003-2004 with 45 sections of three courses: Introductory Spanish I, Introductory Spanish II, and the Intensive Review of Elementary Spanish. These courses are taught primarily by GTAs, who are supervised by Spanish Language Coordinator Dr. Alicia Cipria. Instructional technology assistance is provided to Dr. Cipria, GTAs and undergraduate students by the Language Resource Center, directed by Dr. Gamin Bartle.

The University of Alabama faces an immediate and acute need for more seats in the Introductory Spanish Program courses. We have been turning away large numbers of students. Additionally, the Department of Modern Languages and Classics wishes to continue an enthusiastic shift away from more traditional language teaching and learning to more fully communicative and innovative methodologies. At the same time, the Department desires to employ cost-effective strategies to meet increased demand for Spanish instruction.

Redesign of the Introductory Spanish Program at the University of Alabama aims to provide increased student learning outcomes with cost-effective means. Using the Replacement Model to substitute a portion of class time with pedagogically tested and sound instructional technology components, we will be offering 60 sections of Introductory Spanish courses, an increase of 15 sections over our current offerings. The resulting additional sections will meet more of the actual demand than what has been the case prior to the redesign. Moreover, we will be better prepared to accommodate further increases in demand due to the projected increase in the overall student population at the University of Alabama of 6% per year.

Quality of instruction is of utmost importance as we redesign the Introductory Spanish Program. The quality of teaching and learning will improve significantly through the redesign due to a variety of factors, including adaptation and implementation of materials and ideas already used successfully by the Academic Core Practices in Spanish. Better technology tools will release teachers from mundane tasks both in and outside of the classroom, thereby freeing up valuable time for them to be more creative and effective teachers. Shifting learning responsibilities toward students will enable them to be more active and engaged, which can only increase learning. Finally, more thorough and consistent feedback to students will enhance their experience by targeting and solving both real and potential problems in a more timely manner.

Consistent, thorough and meaningful assessment of student learning will be accomplished through various methods. Automated feedback and computer grading of vocabulary and grammar exercises, as well as self-tests will show students their progress on a continuing basis. The introduction of standardized oral proficiency testing three times per semester will, we hope, display an increase in learning through individual practice and one-on-one work with Spanish tutors. All results of student assessment will be compiled and analyzed throughout the implementation process for comparison with traditional learning outcomes. Since full implementation is not scheduled until the fall semester of 2005, the University of Alabama will have both the time and means to conduct assessments of traditional course learning outcomes for such comparison.

As a result of the replacement of one class hour per week for Introductory Spanish I and Introductory Spanish II, and of 2 hours per week for the Intensive Review of Elementary Spanish, we will significantly reduce the cost per student for each course. Our cost reduction strategy decreases the cost per student for an Introductory Spanish Course from $247 to $185. With the savings we will be able to accommodate 349 more students in Spanish courses per year without increasing spending. This is essential because of an expected increase in student enrollments with a corresponding demand for Spanish at the University of Alabama.