¡Con brío! - PROGRAM SAMPLER

PREFACE xvii • ¡Diálogos en acción! uses short audio recordings of unscripted, spontaneous conversations between native speakers from various Spanish speaking countries, thus, providing students with the opportunity to hear differences in the vocabulary used in each country and a variety of different accents. The dialogs incorporate both vocabulary and/or grammar structures from the chapter. The conversations are based on one or more linguistic functions crucial for basic communicative competence such as issuing and accepting or declining an invitation. • ¡Lectura en acción! features authentic readings with activities designed to develop students’ comprehension skills and awareness of culture and current events. • ¡A conversar! offers specific strategies for comprehension and self-expression. • ¡A escribir! presents theme-based writing activities that provide students with corresponding strategies and process writing steps using the vocabulary and structures learned in the chapter. • ¡A investigar! encourages students to explore the Spanish- speaking world around them through research tasks related to chapter themes and paired with strategies for finding and using appropriate sources. It develops digital literacy, encourages collaboration, and provides opportunities for presentational speaking and writing. 5. Gets students thinking about culture. Each chapter grabs students’ attentionwith video right fromthe beginning to introduce its theme, encourage predictions about its content, and motivate cultural discussions. Students can access the videos on the ¡Con brío! Supersite . The integration of culture continues throughout the chapter: • Tu mundo cultural An attractive two-page spread at the end of each Escena , or module, provides insights into representative aspects of day-to-day life from varied Hispanic perspectives. There is special emphasis on traditions originating in Spanish-speaking countries that are also found in ever-growing Hispanic communities across the United States. Cultural topics selected are tightly tied to the Escena theme, thus extending the opportunity for students to use the new language they’re learning as they explore the cultures of its speakers. Tu mundo cultural sections include instructors’ annotations indicating the ACTFL standards met through the readings, realia, and activities. • ¿Sabes que…? Brief culture notes throughout each chapter provide insights and information relevant to surrounding presentations or activities. • Tu mundo en vivo Culturally authentic language use and the exploration of culture and connections through the ¡Videos en acción!, ¡Diálogos en acción!, and ¡Lectura en acción! sections. THE NEW ¡CON BRÍO! SUPERSITE Each section of the textbook comes with resources and activities on the ¡Con brío! Supersite , many of which are auto- graded with immediate feedback. Plus, the Supersite can be accessed on the go! Visit vhlcentral.com to explore this wealth of exciting resources. VOCABULARIO • Audio of the vocabulary • Textbook and extra practice activities • Partner Chat activities for increased oral practice GRAMÁTICA • Animated grammar tutorials • Textbook and extra practice activities • Partner Chat activities for increased oral practice • Audio-synced Historietas TU MUNDO CULTURAL • Textbook and extra practice activities • Partner Chat activities for increased oral practice • Streaming video thematically related clips TU MUNDO EN VIVO • Textbook activities • Partner Chat activities for increased oral practice • Streaming video thematically related clips VOCABULARIO • Vocabulary list with audio • Vocabulary Tools: customizable word lists, flashcards with audio Plus! Also found on the Supersite: • Lab audio MP3 files • Forums for oral assignments, group presentations, and projects • Live Chat to connect with students in real time, without leaving your browser (instant messaging, audio chat, video chat) • Communication center for instructor notifications and feedback • A single gradebook for all Supersite activities • WebSAM online Student Activities Manual (Workbook, Lab Manual) • online, interactive student edition with access to Supersite activities, audio, and video.