Middlebury

SPAN 6715

Intro to Spanish Phonetics

Phonetics for Spanish Teachers
This course introduces students to fundamental notions of Spanish phonetics. It has two main components:
(1) the first component zeroes in on the theoretical aspects of articulatory phonetics (how are sounds produced? why and how do English/Spanish sounds differ, what is the phonological system of Spanish, etc.);
(2) the second component is of a dual practical nature, and has as its goals (a) the elimination of foreign accent in one’s own Spanish (non-native speakers), and (b) the elimination of foreign accent in someone else’s Spanish (meant for teachers of Spanish as an L2).
Starting around 1/3 into the course, each student (non-natives) will record his/her own spoken Spanish on an almost daily basis. These recordings will then be corrected and commented upon by the professor as well as fellow students in the class. Participants in this class are thus given highly individualized attention. The grading of these recordings is solely based on progress, not on actual “mistakes” made.
The theoretical and practical insights thus gained during the initial two to three weeks of the course will then be applied in “the real world” of Middlebury College, as each student in the course will “adopt” several non-native Spanish speakers and so as to become their pronunciation coach. Students will thus work in tandem with participants in Middlebury’s optional CLÍNICA DE PRONUNCIACIÓN, which has been offered successfully for several summers in a row.
There are 2 exams plus a comprehensive final exam (these exams concern mostly the theoretical aspects of the course). The lectures are predominantly in PowerPoint. In the past, students have found this Intro to Spanish Phonetics to be a most practical and useful course — one that greatly reduces their foreign accent (and, especially for native or near native speakers) gives them a thorough understanding of how “Spanish works” on an articulatory level. No papers are required. Course is taught (almost) entirely in Spanish.
(1 unit)
Required text: Armin Schwegler, Juergen Kempff, A. Ameal-Guerra, Fonética y fonología españolas (Wiley & Sons, 4th ed.). The professor will provide students with electronic copies of all reading materials, textbook included. Students may of course purchase the hard copy book if they prefer but it will not be available as a hard copy at Middlebury.
This course is cross-listed with Professional Preparation for Teachers.
Subject:
Spanish
Department:
Spanish (& Portuguese UG)
Division:
Language School
Requirements Fulfilled:
Linguistics Pedagogy

Sections

Summer 2022 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session

SPAN6715A-L22 Lecture (Schwegler)

Summer 2019 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session

SPAN6715A-L19 Lecture (Kirschen)

Summer 2018 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session

SPAN6715A-L18 Lecture (Schwegler)

Summer 2016 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session

SPAN6715A-L16 Lecture (Gomez Asencio)

Summer 2015 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session

SPAN6715A-L15 Lecture (Schwegler)

Summer 2014 Language Schools, LS 6 Week Session

SPAN6715A-L14 Lecture (Gomez Asencio)

Summer 2013, LS 6 Week Session

SPAN6715A-L13 Lecture (Schwegler)

Summer 2012, LS 6 Week Session

SPAN6715A-L12 Lecture (Ortiz)

Summer 2011, LS 6 Week Session

SPAN6715A-L11 Lecture (Schwegler)

Summer 2010, LS 6 Week Session

SPAN6715A-L10 Lecture (Schwegler)