This is an accelerated course for beginners with little or no knowledge of Spanish. Students learn the fundamentals of the Spanish language through speaking, listening, reading, and writing. They acquire a wide range of elementary communicative competencies such as using the present, past, and future tenses; expressing likes and dislikes; describing things; and asking questions. They practice conversing and writing about themselves and others, school and leisure activities, time, weather, and shopping. They learn about Spanish and Latin American culture while building their communicative skills.