 (The
following text is from the PBS Adult Learning Service website)
Destinos
is a Spanish language telecourse is designed to give students full communicative
proficiency in Spanish listening, speaking, reading and writing. Using
a uniquely Hispanic genre, the "telenovela," the course combines
a dramatic storyline with instruction.
The story
begins with a wealthy Mexican patriarch, nearing the end of his life,
who reveals a secret he has kept from his family for years. Raquel Rodriguez,
a Mexican-American lawyer, is hired to help him learn the answers to some
important questions. Raquel's search takes her to Spain, Argentina, Puerto
Rico, and back to Mexico, exposing students to the rich and diversified
cultural context in which Spanish is spoken worldwide. The situation and
context of each episode introduce students to the basic structures, language
functions and vocabulary groups that are presented in the programs and
resource materials.
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Episodes
used in SPA* 101 (Elementary Spanish I) |
Unit
1: Introduction |
Episode
1: La Carta
2: El Secreto |
Don
Fernando Castillo, an aging and infirm patriarch living in Mexico,
reveals a long-kept secret to his family. He has learned in a letter
from Sevilla, Spain, that his first wife, whom he believed was killed
in the Spanish Civil War, had in fact survived. He hires Raquel Rodriguez,
a lawyer from Southern California, to investigate the claims made
in the letter. |
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Unit
2: A Journey to Seville |
3: El Comienzo
4: Perdido
5: La Despedida
6: Maestra?
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Raquel
travels first to Sevilla in search of Teresa Suarez, the writer of
the disturbing letter to don Fernando. She meets the family of Senora
Suarez and has several adventures with them. Since Sra, Suarez now
lives in Madrid. Raquel takes the train to the capital city. |
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Unit
3: A Journey to Madrid |
7:
La Cartera
8: El Encuentro
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In
Madrid, after a series of mishaps and mistakes, Raquel, is able to
contact Teresa Suarez, who gives her important information about Rosario,
don Fernando's first wife. The information sends Raquel to Argentina. |
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Episodes
used in SPA* 102 (Elementary Spanish II) |
|
Unit
3: A Journey to Madrid (continued) |
9:
Estaciones
10: Cuadros
11: La Demora |
In
Madrid, after a series of mishaps and mistakes, Raquel, is able to
contact Teresa Suarez, who gives her important information about Rosario,
don Fernando's first wife. The information sends Raquel to Argentina. |
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|
Unit
4: A Journey to Argentina |
12:
Revelaciones
13: La Busqueda
14: En El Extranjero
15: Culpable
16: Caras
17: Inolvidable
18: Estimada Sra (not used in SPA* 102)
|
Suarez
In Buenos Aires, Raquel's search for don Fernando's first wife, Rosario,
leads her to the office of Dr. Arturo Iglesias, who gives her information
about Rosario and divulges some startling additional news as well
- news which sends Raquel to Puerto Rico. Arturo decides to help Raquel
in her search and promises to join her in San Juan. |
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Additional
Episodes Beyond the scope of SPA* 101 and SPA* 102 |
|
Unit
5: A Journey to Puerto Rico |
19:
Por Fin
20: Relaciones Estrechas
21: El Paeje
22: Recuerdos
23: Vista Al Mar
24: Reflexiones I
25: El Don Juan |
In
San Juan, Raquel soon finds the answer to one of the pressing questions
of her search and also meets Angela, someone who has much to tell
don Fernando. Raquel persuades Angela to return with her to Mexico.
As they are about to leave San Juan. they learn of an accident outside
Mexico City and are forced to delay their trip to see don Fernando. |
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Unit
6: A Journey to Mexico |
26:
Reflexiones II
27: El Rescate
28: Atrapados
29: Se Derrumbo!
30: Preocupaciones
31: Medidas Drasticas
32: Ha Habido Un Accidente
33: Si Supieras
34: Exito
35: Reunidos
36: Que Estaran Haciendo? |
In
Mexico, Raquel and Angela come to the aid of someone with a surprising
connection to don Fernando. In the meantime, the Castillo family deals
with a number of problems, including the hospitalization of don Fernando.
Arturo arrives from Argentina and meets some members of the Castillo
family. |
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Unit
7: Mexico-In the Capital |
37:
Llevando Cuentas
38: Ocultanso La Verdad
39: La Misma Sonrisa
40: Entre La Espada Y La Pared
41: Algo Inesperaado
42: Yo Invito
43: Seremos Cuatro
44: Una Promesa Y Una Sonrisa
45: Estoy Harta!
46: Las Empanadas
47: Tengo Dudas
48: Asf Fue: I
49: Asf Fue: II
50: Asf Fue: III
51: Asf Fue: IV
52: Siempre Lo Amo |
As
serious problems in the Castillo family reach a crescendo, don Fernando's
health worsens, and he is taken to Guadalajara to see a specialist.
In the meantime, Raquel finds herself in an unexpected situation,
one that involves a difficult decision. In these final episodes, viewers
learn what is to become of don Fernando and how Raquel's investigation
changes her life and the lives of everyone around her forever. |
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