Spanish 3 is my favorite year... it's sometimes challenging, often fun... but always rewarding. At the end of this year you will be able to understand much of what is said in natural Spanish as long as you make and keep a commitment to listen to real-world Spanish outside the classroom on a regular basis.

 

Getting ready to start Spanish 3? Congratulations!

 

First, go back and read the Spanish 2 page. The concepts of listening, hard work, and playing with the team hold true for all of your years of language study. Let's assume that you did those things in Spanish 2 and received a good grade, indicating that you're ready for Spanish 3.

 

How does Spanish 3 differ from the first two years of Spanish?

 

It's the year that bridges "sheltered" Spanish with "real-world" Spanish. That's a big jump! Start the year with a good foundation, study regularly, and listen to real-world Spanish outside the classroom on a regular basis.

 

For example, this year you will read selections of literature that are not watered down for a Spanish textbook. Do you have basic reading skills in Spanish? Will you labor to learn the necessary strategies both in class and outside that will enable you to understand the literary selections?

 

Likewise, the textbook produced listening activities that you remember from Spanish 1 and 2 will be replaced with natural activities taken from authentic sources (podcasts, YouTube, guest speakers, etc.). It's essential in Spanish 3 that you make and keep a commitment to listen to real-world Spanish outside the classroom on a regular basis.

 

Every year a handful of students cuts corners and doesn't really learn how to read and/or listen to real-world Spanish throughout the year. Unfortunately, grades that have been kept artificially high by participation and homework points can easily be lowered at the end of the semester by a final exam that comes with reading and listening challenges... but without cuttable corners!

 

Finally, students who earn strong A's in Spanish 3 will be qualified to apply for AP Spanish 5 in the following year. That course will merge you with the native Spanish speakers, los que lo hablan en casa. Después de AP5, vas a hablar el idioma por toda la vida. ¡No puedes imaginar cuánto te va a cambiar la vida!