MICHIGAN
TEST OBJECTIVES
FIELD 628: SPANISH

Listening
Reading
Language Structures and Vocabulary
Culture
Writing
Speaking

Texts presented on the examination will be examples of language used by native speakers in authentic situations to serve standard communicative functions (e.g., to socialize, to obtain or impart information, to express opinions, to persuade, to entertain).

LISTENING

Understand spoken messages and information dealing with everyday topics.

Includes understanding a question or comment likely to be encountered in a social situation, understanding a request for information, organizing and summarizing information, and following spoken instructions or directions.

Derive essential information from oral messages in real-life situations.

Includes understanding the main idea or details in a spoken passage (e.g., telephone message, radio or television broadcast, speech or lecture, public address announcement), understanding a sequence of steps described in a set of oral directions, and understanding a stated cause or effect of a situation described in an oral message.

Infer meaning from oral communications.

Includes inferring the tone, mood, or point of view of one or more speakers; analyzing a relationship (e.g., cause-and-effect) implied but not stated in an oral communication; and analyzing the social context of a spoken exchange or the relationship between speakers.

Understand how nonverbal cues relate to verbal messages.

Includes comprehending how gestures, facial expressions, and other types of body language relate to a verbal message.

READING

Understand the literal content of a variety of authentic materials.

Includes determining the stated main idea; summarizing; identifying character, setting, or events described in a selection; and determining the sequence of events.

Apply skills of inference in a variety of authentic materials.

Includes inferring theme, assumptions, point of view, or purpose; discerning implied cause-and-effect relations; making inferences about setting or character; and understanding figurative language (e.g., metaphors, imagery, symbols).

Apply skills of analysis and interpretation to authentic materials.

Includes analyzing, interpreting, and comprehending figurative language, tone, and style; and demonstrating an understanding of how cultural values, institutions, and mores are reflected in authentic texts, including literature.

Understand written information dealing with everyday topics.

Includes organizing and summarizing information; following written instructions or directions; and interpreting information included in maps, charts, graphs, or tables.

Extract meaning and knowledge from authentic written texts dealing with topics of general interest.

Includes understanding the main idea and relevant details from authentic texts in areas of general interest across the curriculum.

LANGUAGE STRUCTURES AND VOCABULARY

Select appropriate words, phrases, or sentences, including idiomatic expressions, to complete passages.

Includes determining appropriate language for travel situations (e.g., arranging for lodging, booking tickets for a group); social situations (e.g., canceling an appointment, expressing a compliment); everyday transactions (e.g., shopping, dining); and expressing attitudes, opinions, and judgments.

Transform sentences or passages in context according to given instructions.

Includes transforming a positive statement, question, or command to a negative one, or vice versa; transforming the tense or mood of a sentence or passage; transforming a sentence or passage from direct to indirect discourse, or vice versa; paraphrasing one or more sentences; and combining two or more sentences into one sentence that preserves the meaning of the original sentences.

Determine grammatically correct words or phrases to complete given sentences.

Includes using the correct words or form of words for a given context; using verb forms or phrases as appropriate for a given context; and using the appropriate modifying word, phrase, or subordinate clause to complete a sentence.

Identify and revise errors in structure and syntax.

Includes identifying errors in usage and selecting revisions to correct inappropriate use of tenses, forms, or constructions.

Identify culturally appropriate versions of language.

Includes using and identifying errors in formal and informal language, salutations and leave takings, and business and personal correspondence.

CULTURE

Understand major developments in the history of Spanish-speaking cultures and the cultural significance of these developments in the world community.

Includes identifying major historical persons and events in the development of Spanish-speaking cultures; understanding major political, economic, social, and cultural trends and developments that have shaped these cultures and analyzing their historical and contemporary significance; and analyzing the nature and significance of historical interactions among these and other cultures.

Understand key features and processes that interconnect geographic features, economic systems, political and religious institutions, and daily life in Spanish-speaking nations and cultures.

Includes understanding characteristic features of daily life, relating natural geographic features (e.g., climate, location, natural resources) of nations using Spanish to the economies of these nations (e.g., mineral and agricultural products, commercial relations with other nations), identifying key features of the economic systems of these nations, and understanding key political and religious institutions and their historical significance.

Identify Hispanic contributions in literature, nonliterary arts, science, and technology.

Includes recognizing movements, writers, and works in Spanish-language literatures; recognizing movements, artists, and works of the visual and performing arts; and recognizing scientific and technological achievements.

Understand key aspects of daily life in Spanish-speaking nations and cultures.

Includes recognizing and understanding the roles of representative aspects of daily living (e.g., food, jobs, attire, shelter, religion, festivals, life-cycle events, sports, leisure activities).

Identify Hispanic contributions to the world community.

Includes understanding the importance of Spanish and Spanish-speaking cultures in a variety of professions throughout the world and recognizing the influence of Spanish-speaking cultures as integral parts of the culture of the world community.

WRITING

In response to a given prompt, write a well-organized, cohesive passage of several paragraphs (approximately 200—250 words) that narrates an event appropriately and effectively using the past tense(s).

Includes using language that is appropriate for a given audience, purpose, occasion, and context; using a range of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions; demonstrating a command of conventions of written Spanish; and using simple and complex sentences.

SPEAKING

In response to a given prompt, communicate a message appropriately and effectively in Spanish.

Includes using language that is appropriate for a given audience, purpose, occasion, and context; using a range of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions; demonstrating a command of correct intonation and pronunciation; and using simple and complex sentences.