Puntos de encuentro: A Cross-Cultural Approach to Advanced Spanish

María J. de la Fuente, professor of Spanish, rethinks Advanced Spanish collegiate instruction by combining task- and content-based language pedagogy. Based on current research on Instructed Second Language Acquisition, this program emphasizes the analysis of spoken and written texts drawn from real-world sources, selected to introduce students to relevant and engaging issues in the Spanish-speaking world, such as the environment, human rights, indigenism, immigration and bilingualism. Students analyse complex, contemporary issues as a means to achieve advanced proficiency in Spanish, which results in more language production, increased multicultural understanding and enhanced critical thinking skills. This groundbreaking approach makes Puntos de encuentro unique among advanced Spanish textbooks.