The required textbook is listed below, in addition to all required course materials. To purchase the textbook and any related course materials, please follow the instructions listed below under Acquiring Textbooks and Course Materials.
Portales 2.0 website provides all the lessons, tutorials, practice, videos, quizzes, exams, etc. that you'll need to complete this course. You can print all the Portales web pages.
NOTE: If you have purchased a Portales 1 code and it is still active, you do not need to purchase Portales 2.0. Please notify your instructor so they can upgrade your active Portales 1 account for free.
You must activate your Portales account on vhlcentral.com (Links to an external site.) in order to access the assignments for this course.
Vista Higher Learning offers a two-week grace period that allows you to access Portales for two weeks free of charge. This is a helpful way to keep up with your assignments while you wait for the funds needed to purchase the text. See Student Grace Period Instructions to begin your free access to Portales.
If you experience technical problems accessing the Portales website call 1-800-248-2813 or email Vista Higher Learning Support.
Conversifi is a virtual language exchange that pairs English speaking students with native Spanish speakers for 15-minute conversation sessions. Throughout the semester, you will need to complete 8 sessions as a “learner” (speaking Spanish) on the dates assigned on the class calendar. Each due date has an assigned topic, and your conversation partner will have questions for you related to that topic.
Tokens are required to complete your learner sessions. You may purchase tokens or earn them by coaching students in English.
- If you are using financial aid, you can purchase a semester-long subscription and 8 tokens from the NOVA bookstore. (No coaching sessions required.)
- If you are not using financial aid, you may purchase your subscription or subscription plus 8 tokens from the NOVA bookstore or directly from Conversifi at www.conversifi.com using most common credit/debit cards or your PayPal account. If you purchase a subscription only, you will need to earn tokens by coaching in English.
You will need to register for an account on Conversifi at http://app.conversifi.com/register and follow the registration prompts. When you register, you will need the section code associated with your class, which you can find in the Conversifi: Virtual Language Exchange module here in Canvas.
Prior to your first Conversifi session, you should watch this short video that explains how Conversifi works. You might also want to watch a sample session so that you can see how other students use the platform, or access Conversifi’s FAQs site. Conversifi has live technical support available during drop-in hours. Otherwise, you can contact support@conversifi.com outside of those hours.
Conversifi automatically records your sessions. Your instructor will have access to a log of all the sessions you completed, including how long each one lasted.
You can log on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday for fully supported drop-in hours from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm Eastern Time without scheduling your sessions in advance. During drop-in hours, coaches are usually available immediately, but you may need to wait for a partner on unusually busy days, so please leave yourself a little time to connect.
Coaches will also be available (without live customer service) for scheduled sessions outside of drop-hours by clicking the calendar icon at the top of your screen. For scheduled sessions, please give at least 24 hours notice of any changes so your coach can plan accordingly. After that time, your account will be charged a token to compensate your coach.