Online courses

Welcome to online language courses at ACC! I currently teach Spanish I and II online.

*These classes fill fast! If a class is full, I cannot add you. Really. The registrar handles registration matters.

If you are considering an online course, you should first determine if such a course is right for you. ACC's Distance Learning division can provide you with some guidance. Taking a foreign language course online demands considerably more time than an in-person class so they are not recommended for students whose time is limited.

Both courses are five credit hours, not the usual three you may be accustomed to. You should expect to dedicate the time needed to fulfill five credit hours worth of work.

If you have a dialup connection, you may find the courses excruciating. Broadband access is highly recommended. Distance learning is not for you if you classify yourself as "computer illiterate" or do not have regular and reliable access to the interent, especially from your own computer. The courses are designed to work on a PC. Although courses may work on a Mac, there is no guarantee and no tech support for this platform.

These online courses are best for self-motivated students with a high level of time management skills. It helps if you have had Spanish before, but it’s not necessary for Spanish I. Distance learning courses are recommended for individuals who can (and will) dedicate significant daily time to the study of Spanish.

A few other things to know:

• In order to take the tests, you have to go to an ACC testing center. Tests can't be taken anywhere else unfortunately.
• Login to the class on the first day! There are important activities to take care of right away.

System requirements:

· Microphone, built-in or external

· Sound card

· Speakers (built-in or external)

· Shockwave software

· Headphones that plug into your computer

· Skype software

· Flash software

· Web camera (required for Spanish II, suggested for Spanish I)

Blackboard is the platform for these courses. All other information, announcements, assignments, etc., are there. You can access Blackboard when the semester starts, or maybe a few days before. If you try to login before that, the system will not recognize you, so please be patient. I know you want to get started!

To get started using Blackboard just click here.

If you need a little help or orientation to Blackboard first, contact Distance Learning.