VII. Planning a Course Syllabus
A. How to Use Puntos on the Semester System
As a general guideline, it is suggested that colleges and universities on the semester system cover Puntos in the
following manner:
First Term: Capítulos 1–9
Second Term: Capítulos 10–18
The following information will be helpful for planning a detailed course syllabus. Calculations are based on
a 15-week semester. Extra hours can be used for review and hourly exams. In the second semester, extra time
should also be allotted for the review of the first semester’s work before beginning Capítulo 10. The use of an
additional reading text might also be appropriate in the second semester.
1. Classes Meeting 3 Hours per Week
Approximately 45 contact hours are available during the semester. An average of 4 contact hours can be
2. Classes Meeting 4 Hours per Week
Approximately 60 contact hours are available during the semester. An average of 5 contact hours can be
3. Classes Meeting 5 Hours per Week
Approximately 75 contact hours are available during the semester. An average of 7 contact hours can be
spent on each chapter.
Each Semester:
B. How to Use Puntos on the Quarter System
As a general guideline, it is suggested that colleges and universities on the quarter system cover Puntos in the
following manner.
First Term: Capítulos 1–6
Second Term: Capítulos 7–12
Third Term: Capítulos 13–18
The following information will be helpful for planning a detailed course syllabus. Calculations are based on
a 10-week quarter. Extra hours can be used for review and hourly exams. In the second and third quarters,
extra time should also be allotted for the review of the first and second quarter’s work before beginning new
work. The use of an additional reading text might also be appropriate in the third quarter.
1. Classes Meeting 3 Hours per Week
Approximately 30 contact hours are available during the quarter. An average of 4 contact hours can be
2. Classes Meeting 4 Hours per Week
Approximately 40 contact hours are available during the quarter. An average of 5 contact hours can be
3. Classes Meeting 5 Hours per Week
Approximately 50 contact hours are available during the quarter. An average of 6 contact hours can be
spent on each chapter.
Each Quarter:
7 contact hours × 6 chapters = 42 hours
C. How to Use Puntos Over Three Semesters
As a general guideline, it is suggested that colleges and universities on the semester system that wish to use
Puntos over three semesters cover the book in the following manner.
First term: Capítulos 1–6
Second term: Capítulos 7–13
Third term: Capítulos 14–18
The following information will be helpful for planning a detailed course syllabus. Calculations are based on
a 15-week semester. Extra hours can be used for review, hourly exams, and other types of activities, such as
oral presentations. In the second and third semesters, extra time should also be allotted for review of the first
and second semester’s work before beginning new work. The use of an additional reading text is also suggested
for the third semester.
The use of additional supplements, such as our 3-D immersive language game, Practice Spanish: Study
Abroad might also be appropriate for schools that wish to use Puntos over three semesters. Practice Spanish:
Study Abroad is available upon request. Your Learning Technology Representative can provide more
information.
1. Classes Meeting 3 Hours per Week
Approximately 45 contact hours are available during the semester. An average of 6 contact hours can be
2. Classes Meeting 4 Hours per Week
Approximately 60 contact hours are available during the semester. An average of 8 contact hours can be
3. Classes Meeting 5 Hours per Week
Approximately 75 contact hours are available during the semester. An average of 10 contact hours can be