Noticias: an Advanced Intermediate Content-Based Course

Les Bell

Noticias, which means “News” in English, is an exciting new advanced intermediate level program, developed to serve as a gateway to upper division courses. It is perfectly suited for fourth and fifth semester courses (and other third year courses) that wish to incorporate interesting content into the curriculum. Authentic readings culled from sources from around the Spanish-speaking world, in conjunction with integrated authentic video segments, provide rich, engaging content for students that portray Hispanic culture in a fresh light.

As described by the authors, the goals of Noticias include: 1) to engage students in interesting and motivating content that reflects the material studied in other academic disciplines; 2) to shift the focus from grammar learning to learning grammar through communication, by viewing grammar as the mechanism that enables us to communicate meaning through listening, reading, speaking, and writing; 3) to help students begin to analyze and understand other cultures’ perspectives on issues that affect them in their personal and professional lives.