Synopsis "Puntos de encuentro: A Cross-Cultural Approach to Advanced Spanish"
Puntos de encuentro: A Cross-Cultural Approach to Advanced Spanish is an innovative, content-based language learning textbook that rethinks advanced Spanish instruction. Based on classroom second language learning research, it utilizes learner-centered pedagogies (collaborative, task- and problem-based learning) for advanced language development of Spanish. The Spanish language is both the goal and the medium through which students are introduced to relevant and engaging issues in the Spanish-speaking world, such as the environment, human rights, indigenism, immigration, and bilingualism. This text uses spoken and written texts drawn from real-world sources-journalism, history, literature, documentary, or film. The activities allow students to reflect on language forms and functions in context while promoting critical, higher-order thinking skills such as distinguishing opinions from facts, drawing comparisons, reporting and synthesizing information, making decisions to solve problems, and debating points of view. The third edition expands its interdisciplinary approach by including nine new learning units focused on social and environmental sustainability in Spanish-speaking countries, based on the United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Groundbreaking in approach and designed to support higher levels of language production, multicultural understanding, and critical thinking, Puntos de encuentro is an exemplary textbook for advanced Spanish courses and programs.
