This accelerated course is 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 range of basic communicative competencies, such as the ability to use present, past, and future tenses; to express likes and dislikes; to describe things; and to ask questions. They practice by conversing and writing about themselves and others, school and leisure activities, time, weather, and shopping. They learn about Spanish and Latin American cultures while developing communication skills.