Intermediate Spanish II

Student Eligibility

Grades: 11, 12

One of the following:

• Prerequisite: C- or better in SPAN 1003
• Approval: Instructor

Grades: 9, 10

Both of the following:

• Prerequisite: C- or better in SPAN 1003
• Approval: Instructor 

Instructor Qualifications

Instructors apply and are selected by faculty in accordance with the UMN policy governing Academic Appointments with Teaching Functions. Once approved, an instructor is appointed as a Teaching Specialist 9754 (University Job Title and Code) in the College of Continuing and Professional Studies. Instructor qualifications are determined by the sponsoring University department.

Applications are only being accepted at this time to replace current instructors.

Visit the Apply to Teach a Course page for course-specific qualifications and application steps.

Textbooks

1. Conexiones: Comunicación y cultura, 6th Edition [abbreviated CT (Conexiones Textbook)]. By Eduardo Zayas-Bazán, Susan M. Bacon and Dulce García. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Available at Coffman Bookstore.
2. MySpanishLab Online Student Activities Manual/Workbook (abbreviated MSL). By Manuel Martinez and Mónica Ayala.
3. OPTIONAL: For those not using MySpanishLab, you can use either the paper or digital copy of CRISOL, SPANPORT's online workbook.

Spanish 1003/1004 Textbook Cycle

• 2021−2026: CIS Conexiones, 5th & 6th editions
• 2025–2026: Experiencias, 2nd edition
• 2025-2027: Program-wide adoption of Experiencias, 2nd edition

Note: SPANPORT completed a curricular redesign and began using a new textbook during academic year 2024–2025. As of fall 2025, eight CIS instructors at five partner schools have begun teaching the new curriculum with Experiencias, 2nd edition. In fall 2026, other partner schools will begin teaching the new curriculum with Experiencias.

Minnesota public schools are responsible for the cost of required textbooks and course materials.

If you have questions about textbook use, please contact Jan Erickson at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the texts and readings specified or mandated by the University of Minnesota? If not, what are some of the choices?
Students in CIS sections of the course use the same textbooks and materials as those in the on-campus sections of the course. In some cases, high schools may be using a different edition of the texts. (Starting in 2020, the fourth edition may no longer be used.)

Do teachers have a choice in assignments? Are there required assignments?
CIS teachers work from a common syllabus developed by the UMN second-year language coordinators; therefore all assignments should be the same for CIS teachers as for instructors at the University. In some cases, we approve modified versions of the UMN syllabus. For example, some high school teachers have a longer semester than the one at the University, and so some plan courses at a slower pace. All CIS teachers work with the following types of assignments: reading, listening, writing, culture, and grammar activities from the textbook and the workbook and class projects according to level.

It is highly recommended that classroom activities in CIS courses align with SPANPORT Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and SPANPORT classroom best practices. To do so, high schools should offer opportunities for students to interact with authentic texts, which may include listening to music and audio texts (podcasts, radio broadcasts, etc.) and watching videos, films, and YouTube texts that enrich the students’ understanding of the themes and cultures taught in the course.  Additionally, students should regularly complete listening, reading, writing, speaking, and grammar activities both in the classroom and online using either MySpanishLab, the textbook-produced online workbook, or CRISOL, SPANPORT's in-house digital workbook. We realize, however, that each school has different facilities, and some of these activities are optional for CIS Spanish classes and vary among the teachers. The 1004 syllabus includes formal writing assessments, a formal speaking assessment, biweekly debates that culminate in a final debate group project, two unit exams, a written proficiency exam, the listening and reading parts of the LPE as a final exam, and an optional oral interview to complete the entire Language Proficiency Test, if the student so desires.

It should be noted that all the policies for the course should be in English on the syllabus.

Who creates the exams?

The University Spanish language coordinators work with on-campus teaching specialists to create exams that are used in all sections of SPAN 1003 and 1004. At times, the CIS SPANPORT team will work with high school teachers to create exams based on need by the CIS cohort. We ask that the CIS teachers use the same exams that are used on campus. Exams have the same components: listening comprehension, grammar and vocabulary, reading comprehension, culture, and composition. We ask that all CIS teachers use the exams that are provided by the CIS SPANPORT team.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to satisfy the College of Liberal Arts language requirement, a student must receive a C- or better in 1004. As mentioned above, three sections of the Language Proficiency Exam are required as part of SPAN 1004. The Writing Test is a component of the course grade, while the computer-delivered Listening and Reading Proficiency Tests serve as the final exam for SPAN 1004. By completing the optional Oral Proficiency Interview, students can earn a line on their UMN transcript stating their Intermediate-Level Proficiency in Spanish. By successfully passing all parts of the test, students will receive an official letter from the Department of Spanish & Portuguese Studies along with a statement on their official University of Minnesota transcript declaring they have passed the test. Passing this test is especially useful for students who plan to attend the University of Minnesota. It can also be a gratifying experience for students.

Is there a training and mentoring system for new CIS Spanish teachers?
The SPAN 1003 and 1004 coordinators, Joanne Peltonen, assistants to the faculty coordinator, and the faculty coordinator serve as mentors to the CIS Spanish teachers. We have also established a listserv to help all teachers mentor each other. In addition, new teachers benefit from workshops that focus on both course content and University processes, as well as an orientation to College in the Schools that will familiarize them with the support available through CIS and prepare them for administrative tasks such as registering students and posting grades.

All CIS teachers have access to an online archive of activities that have been created by University instructors of SPAN 1003 and 1004, as well as participant instructors in the CIS program. It is hoped that all CIS instructors continuously contribute activities to this valuable resource.

High school class schedules vary: can a teacher in the block system teach UMN Spanish?
All courses offered through CIS have the same minimum number of contact hours as the on-campus sections. Teachers wishing to teach a UMN Spanish course on the block schedule should consult with the faculty coordinator (contact information above) to make sure this arrangement will work.

What happens at typical teacher workshops?
Typical activities at CIS workshops include meeting University faculty and hearing about their recent research in the discipline; reviewing and/or developing student assessment tools; sharing instructional materials; discussing particular content, pedagogy, or assessment of the University course; and receiving updates on CIS program policies and practices.

In addition to activities focused directly on the CIS course, teacher workshops will include presentations intended to further the teachers’ own learning and professional development. These are offered by the program faculty or guest speakers and may relate to Spanish language, Spanish cultures, or second language acquisition and pedagogy.

What happens at typical student field days?
Student field days provide an opportunity for CIS students to meet their peers, practice skills they have learned in class, and explore the Twin Cities campus. Past field days have included activities such as

• a campus-wide scavenger hunt conducted in Spanish
• visits to select Spanish classes
• interactive demonstrations including music and dance
• talks by UMN professors or graduate students from the Spanish Department
• a visit to the Weisman Art Museum
• mixers with other CIS students
• panel discussions with current UMN Spanish students