Description
** This is a full year class. Both semesters need to be completed to receive credit **
Are you having trouble fitting in your language class into your schedule? Do you only have time to do your language class at odd hours? Or you simply do not want to be running around from one location to another? Then this class could be for you.
This is a high school level Spanish 1 class. Students will be introduced to Spanish grammar combined with conversation, video clips, and music. Cultural aspects will also be discussed. Course work includes video instruction, online games, and exercises, vocabulary and grammar quizzes.
To achieve conversation practice, students will have regular one hour online discussions with course-mates and instructor. There will be a few times available for conferences on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Times will be set on week one of classes based on student and teacher availability. Students will need a webcam to be able to participate.
This will be a two-semester course with 16 weeks per semester. To enhance their experience with the language, students will be required to choose from a few projects like reading children’s books, watching movies in Spanish, taking a Latin dance lesson, making a comic strip, and much more. The students who live in the Knoxville area or surroundings will also have the option of joining our Spanish club, which is not online, where they can practice learned skills without pressure/grades.
** There is an honors option in this class **
For more info view our blog post about this class.
Instructor: Suzette Laporte-Ayo (Native Spanish speaker and a teacher for over 20 years) – suzette@fundafunda.com
For: Grades 9-11
Hours: 4 – 5 hours each week
Credit Hours: 1 High School Credit on completion of both semesters – – students can elect to take the class at an Honors level.
Syllabus: Available here
Fall Dates: August 19 – Dec 13 (with a week’s break over Thanksgiving)
Spring Dates: January 10 – May 2 (any week in March can be taken for Spring break)
View One Module Here
cin87ken –
I’m going to be honest, before taking this class I was stressed about how hard it would be and if I could understand it, but very quickly my thoughts changed. Ms. Suzette is a great teacher who really cares about her students. It’s also very clear how passionate she is as a teacher and is really rooting for you. Yeah, this class can be a little challenging but nothing overwhelming as long as you keep up with the homework. I would definitely recommend this class to anyone who is interested in learning Spanish!
Danielle Kurschner –
I have both enjoyed and learned A LOT from Mrs. Suzette this year. Not only have I learned how to speak Spanish but have also learned much about the Hispanic culture, which has been a blast! In my experience as a student of Mrs. Suzette, I can confidently HIGHLY recommend her to anyone who wants a kind, patient, understanding Spanish teacher who cares about her students and gets the job done well!
Thank you so much Mrs. Suzette!!!
Eliana Smith –
This was an amazing class and a wonderful experience!! Ms. Suzette is an excellent teacher and she equipped us with so much in this class. (I am confident I can hold a somewhat decent conversation with a native Spanish speaker!!!) I have learned an unbelievable amount through writing, culture, speaking, and grammar! All you have to do is stay up on the homework, make sure you know the content, and you will have no problem! Ms. Suzette is also right there and so quick to respond when you need her and she has been such a blessing. She pushes you a bit to learn and retain more but no more than you can handle. I definitely plan on taking Spanish 2 and I am totally looking forward to it!!!
Gabe Hyden –
Miss Suzette is a 10/10 teacher. She is very pacient, understanding and fun. She also is lighting fast about replying to questions via texts. Many times I had questions and she would text me back in minutes, even whan she was on vacation. My favorite part of the class was the conferences. To be truthful, in the beginning, I wasn’t sure I would like the conferences, but they are very relaxing and so vital in order to become a good Spanish speaker. The conferences were so fun and easy going, the only downside of them is that they are only an hour long. This class was also good for me because it was the first class that I have that wasn’t just recorded video with no live teacher to ask questions or my parents teaching me. It gave more pressure to get things on time. I am planning to take Spanish next school year and hopefully throughout all highschool.
Emma Southerland –
This was such a fun class!! I learned so much this year!(speaking and writing mostly) I thought the culture stuff was very interesting to learn. The homework wasn’t bad. You just gotta keep on top of it and it will go smoothly. Thank you, Ms. Suzette for teaching me and having me in your class! It’s been a fun semester!
Bailey Mueller –
I enjoyed this class so much!! It was very informative, as well as fun. The work was challenging, but in a good way. The weekly conferences helped too. Ms. Suzette is a great teacher and I’m looking forward to taking Spanish 2 with her next year. I would definitely recommend this class to other people. I’m excited to put my new knowledge of Spanish to use in a few weeks when I go to Honduras. It’ll be cool to see the difference in how I’m able to communicate with the people better.
Hannah Gregg –
This class was a lot of work, but I learned so much. I also felt very much a part of the class even though it is an online. The weekly conferences helped me feel more a part of things. I learned a lot more in the first year than I expected!
Additionally, I am a blind student, and while some components were a little tricky for me, Ms. Suzette was very willing to accommodate my needs and learn more ways she could help me be successful in her class.
Madison Rack –
Mrs. Suzette’s Spanish 1 helped me improve in my understanding of Spanish grammar and tripled my Spanish vocabulary. I highly recommend this class to people just trying out Spanish and to those who already have a bit of Spanish under their belt.
Alyssa Witte –
The class was VERY informational, Ms. Suzette was VERY patient when I was struggling with a concept or understanding something. The homework given was a lot at times and sometimes, one type of homework would be with another type of homework making it a bit more difficult then it should have been. However in the end; I learned a ton and don’t regret a second of it! I plan on taking Spanish 2 with Ms. Suzette, she’s a wonderful teacher worth giving a shot! The effort she puts into all her lesson plans is worth the money paid to take the class! You won’t regret a single thing I promise you! Thank you Ms. Suzette! Disfruto de esta clase!
Andrew Rack –
This class has been an excellent intro to the Spanish language, filled with challenging, engaging activities and rigorous homework meant to build one’s vocabulary and broaden their knowledge of Spanish. It was tough, but I am so thankful I took it, seeing how it deepened my understanding of Spanish!
Grace –
This class really made me feel that I could become fluent in Spanish one day. It taught me in a way that I could retain the most information. I appreciated that I could see the reason behind all the assignments, everything had a reason. I also felt very comfortable since she put an emphasis on the fact that it’s alright to make mistakes. I would highly recommend this class.
Hope W –
This class was amazing, I learned so much and enjoyed it a lot. That said there was a LOT of homework, instead of 5 hours a week I would say 7, and when I fell behind, it was really hard to recover. But overall I learned so much more than a normal Spanish 1 student, and the curriculum was very well laid out. Thank you so much!
Ryan Reynolds –
Ms. Suzette made this class to where I could feel comfortable speaking Spanish, without having to worry about being judged. She made the learning fun, and it was well worth the time spent. Ms. Suzette did a great job teaching, and I am able to say that she is one of the best teachers I’ve had. Thanks you Ms. Suzette!
Grace Klepatz –
Miss Suzette’s class has taught me more than I ever could have trying to do it myself! Some weeks can be harder than others, and the workload can be difficult, but it’s all worth it in the end. I have greatly improved my Spanish speaking, writing, and comprehension abilities with this class!
Sarah Wingfeather –
I loved this class so much! It was by far my favorite class all year and I was so sad during break because I didn’t have Spanish class. Everything was so interactive and very consistent. I cannot suggest this class enough. I learned so much
John Griffin –
This class is challenging but you learn so much from it!
Isabella C. –
Miss Suzette has done an amazing job of teaching Spanish! The workload is what you’d expect for a high school course, with some weeks having a heavier workload than others, but she doesn’t give us anything she knows we can’t handle. You can tell that she really cares that her students succeed. One thing that really helps with the learning process is the weekly conferences we have, a one hour call where we go over what we learned throughout the week and practice our Spanish. This class has really helped me with my Spanish-speaking capabilities, and I owe it all to Miss Suzette.
Bridget Ebbert –
This class was seriously awesome! I learned so many more things than I thought I would ever know in the Spanish language. I learned how to conjugate verbs, ask and answer questions in Spanish, and I learned about many incredible artists that had never been introduced to me before. Even though this class was challenging at times, it taught me to work hard, set goals, and to have a better understanding of the language. Mrs. Suzette has been an amazing teacher, and I can’t wait for Spanish 2!
Sierra Flores –
The class is amazing. Even though it’s hard at times I have learned a ton. Mrs. Suzette is very nice and she really cares about her students. I have enjoyed learning under her. She knows how to help when I can’t figure something out. Lots of homework in my opinion but the teachers are very kind and ready to help. I would highly recommend this class.
Joshua Gregg –
She is an amazing teacher and this class is really worth it. As a student, it was a little challenging, but we takes it a an acceptable pace. Not only does she teach about the language, but she also dives into the culture of Mexico and Spain. It is an amazing class and I strongly recommend this for anyone interested in learning the language.
Aedan Berkheimer –
I absolutely loved this class. Ms. Suzette is a perfect teacher. This course was challenging of course but not too challenging. Once you were able to remember the words and use them it felt extremely satisfying and amazing. This was my favorite class I took this year. Overall this class was just so awesome and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
Henry Humble –
Great class. The class was entertaining and fun. The class taught you plenty of Spanish and I can’t wait for Spanish 2.
Matthew Scrugham –
If you want to learn how to speak Spanish, actually speak Spanish and not just check the box to get your high school diploma, take this class. This class is challenging and might push you a little bit, but it’s all in an effort to make sure the language actually sticks with you. After a while, you get the hang of things and end up really enjoying the class. Mrs. Suzette is the best teacher I could have asked for to teach this class. She is kind, very easy to understand, and keeps you focused. Also, she’s from Mexico, so she knows Spanish better than she knows English. Overall, this is a wonderful class if you want to learn and remember Spanish.
Isaac Flores –
This was challenging and fun! It sparked my mind to think of different cultures and how things were done differently than in the United States. Each Spanish country is unique in it’s own way, and even in some countries (like Mexico) the regions are set apart from each other because of the difference in culture. As for my knowledge of the Spanish language….. boy has it grown! A year ago, I understood the “basic” words of Spanish (AKA Hola y Adios) Now, on the other hand, I have learned ways to play around with the language and experiment with it. The verb Gustar is especially fun to play around with. I can now say, “¡se como jugar con el idioma espanol!” Thanks to Mrs. Suzette and Mrs. Claudia for teaching me all I know so far. Many blessings for both ( :
jahara ray –
i have always loved spanish i have been taking classes from Ms. suzette for 6 years this is the second semester i have done in high school it is a super hard class but worth it if you put in the effort
Abigail Hendrick –
I would recommend this class because Mrs. Suzette does a very good job at being available and helping to clear up any questions or misunderstandings. She creates a very inviting setting and place to learn a new language. She is also a kind and enjoyable teacher to have! I REALLY enjoyed this class and would recommend it to anyone who wants to become a fluent Spanish speaker!
Nick Taube –
Mrs. Suzette was the BEST Spanish Teacher anyone can ask for EVER. While the Spanish course was, at times, VERY challenging I learned ALOT. Mrs. Suzette was VERY patient when I struggled and took the time to explain. Most teachers these day wont do what Mrs. Suzette did, which was take her own time to help her students. “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” “Happiness is not the absence of problems; it’s the ability to deal with them.” “Be the kind of person who dares to face life’s challenges and overcome them rather than dodging them.” “Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.” Mrs. Suzette has not only taught me how to speak Spanish or how to make sure I turn my homework in time, She has taught me a valuable and lifetime lesson, which is, to take up challenges even if there hard and even if you struggle. life throws you challenges and Mrs. Suzette has taught be to over come challenges. Thanks for the fun times Mrs Suzette!! look forward to Spanish 2!!
Katie Hall –
I loved this class and Ms. Suzette! I learned so much thought out the class about speaking Spanish and Hispanic culture. The work load is very doable if you stay on top of the work. There is very little busy work, and most of the assignments were really fun! Even after just one year with Ms. Suzette, I find myself able to understand a lot of Spanish conversation. Ms. Suzette is a great teacher. I felt that she always was there for me if I was struggling, and that she just wanted me to do my best learning Spanish.
Leon –
Great class! You’ll learn a lot, and you’ll practice it all during the live sessions every week. The class generally wasn’t hard, but a few weeks were a bit challenging, but if you push through and don’t fall behind, you’ll learn a lot.
Lucy Mayfield –
Mrs. Suzette does a great job planning her classes and challenges you without overwhelming you. You will learn way more than you would in your traditional Spanish class or app. You also get to practice conversations which really helpful. Along with words and conjugations you will learn about Spanish culture which is super fun. I really enjoyed taking Spanish even though it was challenging at times, it was still really fun!
Natalie Throckmorton –
This was a great class and I learned a lot and had fun taking it! Mrs. Suzette is a great teacher and I would definitely recommend taking this class.
Robert Throckmorton –
Mrs. Suzzete is a wonderful teacher, and her class is an excellent one. This was my first year with her, and I doubt it will be my last. The assignments can be challenging, but a focused student with a love to learn will thrive.
Sidney Huxley –
My first thought of this class was to panic and stress out. Having two older siblings who have taken Miss Suzette, they assured me that I would like this class, but I was worried that I would feel overwhelmed and stressed by the amount of work in this class being a first year Spanish student. Soon, my view of that changed; Miss Suzette is an amazing teacher; you can tell she puts every amount of effort into teaching her students Spanish not only grammatically, but culturally as well. Sure, she can be strict and very challenging, but she also has a great system of making Spanish achievable. Being someone who doesn’t do well under pressure, Miss Suzette and this class has taught me how to keep trying and to not give up so easily.Even though it can be hard and a lot of work at times, no matter how much pressure or stress I was under; Spanish 1 was one of my favorite classes this year and one I was always looking forward to. I would definitely recommend taking Spanish with Miss Suzette.
Carson Balka –
Amazing teaching
Grace Wessel –
Although the workload was challenging at times, I really loved this class. I have been in Mrs. Suzette’s classes since I was in 3rd grade, although this past year was the first high school class I have taken with her. She is such a good teacher and I can’t imagine learning Spanish without her. I liked how she made the classes exciting by having us play games to learn Spanish. I have learned a lot in this class and am really looking forward to Spanish 2 with Mrs. Suzette!
Lauren Barton –
This class is a lot of work, but it’s worth it. The material is explained well and the way it is presented makes it fun to learn. Suzette is a great teacher. I definitely recommend this class.
Paul Cooke –
One of the best classes I’ve ever had the pleasure of taking. There’s a ton of work of course, but it’s all a great learning experience. Miss. Suzette is an amazing teacher and I’d recommend her to anyone who wanted to learn Spanish. I had tons of fun, and look forward to taking her more advanced classes.
Maria Bakke –
I took this class at Thursday Connection, and for the most part, enjoyed it. It was challenging at times, but some things were really fun. I would definitely recommend this class, I would just be prepared for the work.
Tyler Ebbert –
This class was absolutely amazing. Yes, it was challenging at times, but if a class isn’t challenging you in any way, then you probably aren’t learning very much. There’s no growth in the comfort zone, but there’s no comfort in the growth zone. Before this class I knew what hola meant. Pretty much nothing else. Now at the end of the year, I can say so many more things, can conjugate Spanish verbs, and know about artists that I’d never even heard of before. I’m so excited to be in Mrs. Suzette’s Spanish 2 class next year!
Chance Jones –
Ok, so… imagine a Spanish class, but it’s like, super great. That’s this one. Not only does it serve as an introduction into the Spanish language, but it also teaches about cultures, authors, artists, and locations that all revolve around Español. In the beginning of each class at Señora Suzette Laporte-Ayo asks everyone their name, how they are doing, and why. It may not seem like much, but these quick little conversations in Spanish gradually help students become more comfortable with the language. We also sometimes do classes where we have to speak only Spanish for a certain period of time, which was one of my favorite things in class. While it may seem like throwing students into the deep-end while they only know how to move their hands, it actually helps students think on their feet, and over-all increased my Spanish speaking capabilities. This covers just a bit of what we did, but I hope someone found this review helpful. Would definitely recommend.
Adriana Baniecki –
Señora Suzette does an amazing job of making the class interesting by emphasizing conversation. My favorite part of the course were the 20-minute “Spanish-only” sessions, where the students held conversations with each other in Spanish. I definitely think that this is the most useful (and interesting!) part of learning any new language. I am so thankful to have had such an immersive Spanish introduction!
Elijah –
I really enjoyed this class. It was very challenging, but the best learning experience. I like the way Ms. Suzzette handles her teaching. She makes it where the students actually have to study and they can not cheat themselves. It is one of the best classes I have been apart of.
Cale –
I had a lot of fun in class and i learned a lot from this class. Ms. Suzette works really hard on all of the classes that she does for spanish. I really recommend you take this course.
Brandon Duty –
I took the class this year at Thursday Connection. I really enjoyed it and I know that I have learned a lot more Spanish. I was surprised that we not only learned the language, but we also learned about the Spanish cultures and their holidays. I really like that this is an online class too with deadlines only once a week. It can work around my schedule which is really nice. I liked this course so much I decided to take Spanish 2 with Suzette next semester! Great class!
Hope –
Mrs. Suzette does a fantastic job of keeping a positive momentum on learning and progressing through the Spanish language. You learn so much and quickly find yourself comprehending and speaking Spanish. It’s truly a rewarding, thorough course. Not only do you learn the language but Spanish culture as well. It was challenging but fun. I highly recommend!
Natalie Vaughn –
This is definitely a challenging course, but it is so worth it in the end. Mrs. Suzette is a wonderful teacher and does a great job with coming up with unique and interesting assignments to help you practice what you’re learning. She is very easily accessible outside of class if you have questions and is always willing to go the extra mile to help you understand the material. This course really focuses on helping you learn the language and gain conversation skills rather than just memorizing some vocabulary to pass a quiz. Thanks to this class I know how to order food in Spanish, give directions, hold simple conversation, follow a recipe written in Spanish, and I have gained a lot of knowledge and appreciation for Spanish culture. If you’re looking to be challenged, learn Spanish, and have fun, I would highly recommend this course!
Emily Ellis –
This was a great Spanish class not only does Ms. Suzette focus on teaching Spanish, but she also focuses on Spanish holidays, dances, art, and music. Super interesting class!
Andrew Schultz –
The class was challenging, but I learned a lot! The teacher was the best!!! Thank you Mrs. Suzette!!!!
Josiah Mustaleski –
This class was so much fun! I came into it not wanting to study Spanish at all, but I’m glad that I did! I really learned a lot this semester, and had fun doing it. It was challenging at some points, but if a class isn’t challenging, then you usually don’t learn much. I am very thankful for Ms. Suzette and this class.
Anika –
My first impression of this class was feeling overwhelmed & stressed about the workload, but that quickly changed. Mrs, Suzette’s system is very easy to understand once you get use to it, & if you do your homework & turn it in on time, a good grade is quite achievable. My absolute favorite part of this class was the discussion time, & not only that, but this was my favorite class I took this year! She makes the class fun & interesting, & she clearly puts a lot of time into her students & classes. Overall, this class was an amazing experience for me, from learning the language grammatically, culturally, verbally, & interactively.
Robert Burns –
I don’t think I would really have any interest in learning Spanish if I had taken form someone other than Mrs. Suzette. This class was one of the more challenging ones I had this year, but it was also my favorite. I highly recommend taking Spanish under Mrs. Suzette.
Micah –
This class increased my knowledge of Spanish very much so that I can now answer questions in Spanish easily as well as talk and write in Spanish
Taylor Breeden –
I am a student of Suzette Laporte-Ayo. I love Mrs.Suzette and, while the class is challenging, it is super fun. I can order food in Spanish now and can have simple conversations. Mrs.Suzette is one of my favorite teachers. She’s very sweet and funny and has been a role model to me since she started teaching me.
Callie Fulghum –
This Spanish 1 class was very fun! It is extremely challenging but as I finish the class I realize I learned so much more then I ever thought I would. I learned not only how to speak Spanish but all about cultures and Spanish speaking countries. I highly recommend it.
Jacob Page –
It was really challenging at some points, but as it went on and I understood more Spanish I found it easier. Most of our activities I loved and they helped make learning Spanish a little more fun. After this class I now realize that the challenging helped me learn the language a little better and not only the language but about the different cultures also.
Rosie Abrams –
Ms. Suzette has been an inspired educator since her teens, when she tutored fellow students. She has taught my children Spanish at the Elementary and Middle School levels. Her methods are entertaining and engaging. She provides many avenues for participating, so that students with all different learning styles will have the opportunity to gain confidence and excel. Having earned a degree in Spanish from the University of Tennessee, I have experienced many instructors whose first language was Spanish. I can attest that her teaching abilities are a gift. Suzette is exceptional in her abilities to connect with students and help them truly own the Spanish language in a real and usable format. While I have not been part of her high school offering, I have every confidence that her Funda Funda Academy online course will be of the highest quality, meeting her usual standard of excellence.
Katherine Killian –
I was a student in this class last year and I greatly enjoyed it. The work load is sufficient but not overwhelming and the material is explained very well. I also enjoyed all the things we learned regarding Spanish culture. I was able to learn a lot in this class and would definitely recommend it.
Amy Warwick –
This was a challenging and enjoyable Spanish I class with Suzette Laporte-Ayo. My daughter learned so much through the weekly assignments and various projects. The class exceeded our expectations and I would highly recommend this online course.