Servitecsa - EL CURSO DE ESPAÃOL

FAQs

1. General Questions

What is Hola, ¿qué tal?
Hola, ¿qué tal? is an online course in which students build their Spanish language learning experience from materials specially designed to study Spanish online and make a difference from other web-based language learning courses.

The Spanish course online Hola, ¿qué tal? uses technology to teach a language in the most effective way. Once logged in the web you can interact with other students and participate in social networks where you can share your interest in the Hispanic world.

What is the meaning of Hola, ¿qué tal?
It is a very common form of greeting in Spanish. It can be used both in personal relationships and in professional if you have a close relationship between speakers.

Hola, ¿qué tal? is also one of the first phrases you learn in Spanish.

Why learn Spanish?
Latest reports place Spanish as the second most spoken language in the world and the third language with more Internet presence.

It is also known its functionality as a language for international communication, one of the official languages at the United Nations and the European Union.

Spanish have a crucial place in the international arena and opens the doors to your professional future.

Millions of people ever closer to Spanish, attracted by its utility, wealth and cultural diversity of the more than 20 countries where it is spoken.

What variety of Spanish am I going to learn?
The users of the Hola, ¿qué tal? Spanish course are taught a standard model of a neutral and pan-Hispanic nature in terms of the features that are exclusive or specific to the different versions of the Spanish language. As part of the sought-after unity of the model set out for the purposes of learning, a plural sample of the linguistic peculiarities of Spanish from around the world is progressively included. These peculiarities are included in a meaningful order in accordance with the contents of the course and levels of command of the language.

In Hola, ¿qué tal? a balance is struck between the common standard model and versions of Spanish, since these share features within the model itself (as described and used). All of this guarantees the usefulness and wide-ranging value of the language being taught, which is just one: Spanish. The idea that Spanish is plural and diverse does not detract from the basic principle that its unity fosters and enables understanding between its speakers, and that it can be taught and learnt in such a way as to enable satisfactory communication with any of them. The variations are present in Hola, ¿qué tal? in its characteristics and appear through the work of its personalities and presenters, and the characters in the comic series Casandra Publicidad.

When characteristics different to those found in the standard general model are presented or commented upon, they are also consistently linked to their geo-linguistic areas. The pre-selection of these characteristics responds to their generality (the size of the area and extensive use), clarity for the user (they do not require special training to recognize them) and their beneficial nature (they are current characteristics and provide useful information for skills and understanding).

Hola, ¿qué tal? does not aim to exhaustively describe any particular version of Spanish, but rather to represent them all through the shared characteristics of the common model. To this end, the particular way of speaking of a region, country or province is not described in detail; special characteristics are presented within a coherent linguistic context. We could therefore see a range of characters using tú, vos, usted, vosotros or ustedes depending on standard use in the linguistic area in question and their suitability to the communication situation.

There are speakers in Hola, ¿qué tal? (educated to a greater and lesser extent) of the different versions of Spanish, who provide oral and/or written texts regardless of whether the differentiating characteristics stand out or not, and their origin is always identified. The texts are therefore produced by native speakers and are consistent with their corresponding linguistic version. The language or text samples do not have an exclusively linguistic objective; they are also vehicles carrying socio-linguistic, cultural and geographical information.

When selecting the versions of Spanish to appear in Hola, ¿qué tal? the idea was for different linguistic areas to be represented in a balanced way. The frequency of texts or samples of different versions of Spanish rises in conjunction with increases in the level of command of the language in the programme of the course and prepares the user for communicational interchange with native speakers of Spanish across the broad spectrum of Spanish speaking countries.

2. What gives you Hola, ¿qué tal?

What are the learning materials of Hola, ¿qué tal?
The online Spanish course consists of the following components:

1. Lengua en acción (Language in action)
It is the interactive material with which you will learn the more formal aspects of language in an active and fun way. More than 8,000 multimedia activities created especially to make learning easier.

2. HQT TV
207 television shows 14 minutes long each with subtitles will teach you the language and cultural issues divided into three sections: the TV series Cassandra Advertising, which will introduce you in a work setting where they know the real use of Spanish, Lengua viva (language alive), interviews in different cities and environments related to Spanish where you can distinguish the diversity of the Hispanic world, Documentales (documentary), discover all the cultural aspects of Spanish speaking countries.

3. Punto de encuentro (Meeting point)
Multimedia and interactive activities that exploit HQT TV programs didactically, focusing on pragmatic and cultural content, with the aim not only know the language, but also how to communicate in Spanish in all circumstances.

Which standard lever covers the course?
Hola, ¿qué tal? is intended both for those who have no knowledge of Spanish and for those who want to improve what they already know.

This online Spanish course covers levels A1, A2 and B1, conform to the first three levels of Common European Framework of Reference for the learning of the Council of Europe.

HQT 1 / Level A1 / Introductory: you will be able to understand and use common everyday expressions and simple sentences which will enable you to meet your immediate needs. You will be able to have a basic conversation provided that the person you are speaking to speaks slowly and clearly.

HQT 2 / Nivel A2 / Basic: : you will be able to cope in most situations which could arise in a trip to a country where Spanish is spoken. You will be able to describe events, experiences, hopes and aspirations, justify your decisions and explain your plans in Spanish.

HQT 3 / Nivel B1 / Intermediate: the Course has three levels: HQT 1, HQT 2 & HQT 3. Each level, in turn, has three modules and each module, 11 units.
Within each unit you will find nine working sessions as a maximum: the first includes various activities with which you learn to communicate in Spanish, the last two are resources (with reference material on aspects of grammar, vocabulary, phonetics, spelling, etc..) and an evaluation test with automatic correction enabled to run as many times as you want (the system stores the first and final qualification in order to check your progress).

What is the structure of the Course?
The Course has three levels: HQT 1, HQT 2 & HQT 3. Each level, in turn, has three modules and each module, 11 units.

Within each unit you will find nine working sessions as a maximum: the first includes various activities with which you learn to communicate in Spanish, the last two are resources (with reference material on aspects of grammar, vocabulary, phonetics, spelling, etc..) and an evaluation test with automatic correction enabled to run as many times as you want (the system stores the first and final qualification in order to check your progress).

How long does the Course last?
The course as Premium or Premium Plus student, can be hired on a monthly basis (with automatic renewals), quarterly (with automatic renewals) and annual. This system allows you to stop the study cancelling the automatic renewal and re-subscribe at any time you want.

Each Level takes about 110 hours of study to complete in the case of Premium students and about 120 hours of study to complete in the case of Premium Plus students; that is, a total of about 330 hours of study in the case of Premium students and about 360 hours of study in the case of Premium Plus students (Conversations classes time included) to complete all three levels. The flexibility that provides Hola, ¿qué tal? enables you to distribute these hours of study as you want or need. You have no time limit to complete each level, but if you want to finish in a year, you have to complete each unit between 7 and 10 days.

Remember that in Hola, ¿qué tal? you set the pace of study.

Am I prepared in Hola, ¿qué tal? to obtain the DELE?
Yes, Hola, ¿qué tal? prepares you to obtain the Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE), the most prestigious Spanish official title issued by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Ministry of Education of Spain. This diploma certifies the competence and mastery of Spanish in the levels A1, A2 and B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Language Learning (A1, A2 and B1).

You can also receive a certificate in Spanish to prove you have spent time and effort to learn Spanish. At each level Hola, ¿qué tal? issue a certificate of their own that you can download online or receive by mail at your home. This certificate is not official but you can demonstrate your level of Spanish.

Those who study as Premium Plus subscribers will also have the possibility to obtain a certificate attesting to their oral communication skills in Spanish.

To get these certificates you must perform 80% of the materials and get at least 60% correct on each evaluation test. In the case of certificate of competency in Spanish orally, Premium Plus students will attend at least 80% of conversation classes.

3.Studying with Hola, ¿qué tal?

Am I going to study alone?
In Hola, ¿qué tal? we promote the collaborative study because it is easier to learn Spanish in such a way. Each student has the possibility to publish the activities (text and audio) that performed during the course as a social activity blog. Publishing the first you start a blog to collect all your activities and will allow other students and teachers (in the case of Premium Plus) can help you to improve your Spanish. You can also use this blog to create your own content, regardless of the course activities and share them with others.

How I can know my level of Spanish?
If you do not know the level to start, when you register you have the option of taking the test. If you do not want it at that time it will be always accessible on the home page.

I have knowledge of Spanish, should I start with the Level A1 (introductory)?
No. You can start at any level. Hiring the Premium or Premium Plus service you have access to the full course and, therefore, begin with level 1, 2 or 3 of your choice.

However, for the best use of the course we recommend you perform the test which will guide you on the level that best fits your skills.

Can I skip lessons and study on my own?
One of the advantages of Hola, ¿qué tal? is that you can study at your own pace but if you want to learn in the most effective way we recommend you follow a route and the logical sequence of the units.

I'm a student of the course, why teachers do not correct my activities?
Please remember that individual correction made by Hola, ¿qué tal? teachers are only for Premium Plus. If you're Premium, you will have general comments on the forums, but no individualized correction of your activities.

If you are Premium Plus and receive no correction of your activities, please send an email to info@holaquetal.com and we will solve the problem as soon as possible.

Why can not I see the teachers' comments?
Teachers' comments are only visible to the Premium Plus students. Please send an email to info@holaquetal.com and we will solve this problem as soon as possible.

4. Payment Options

How much does the Course cost?
The online Spanish course Hola, ¿qué tal? offers Premium or Premium Plus subscription on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.

From 24.95 per month you can learn Spanish with quality materials and the system that best fits your lifestyle.

Hola, ¿qué tal? also offers a free mode (Gratis), which only gives you access to limited material (7 units per level, ie about 20 study hours per level). However, the first seven days of your registration, you will have access to all Premium services.

How I can buy the course?
You can hire Premium or Premium Plus on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis. Payment is by credit card. Only allowed payment by bank transfer to the annual subscription.

If you choose monthly payment each month your subscription will be renewed automatically and will charge your account the next day to meet the contract months. Renewal is automatic for up to 24 months. To view the details of your renewal, just go to the My Products section.

If you choose to pay quarterly, every four months your subscription will be renewed automatically and will charge your account the next day to meet the contract months . Renewal is automatic for up to 6 times. To view the details of your renewal, just go to the My Products section.

If you prefer to pay annual subscription the renewal is not automatic but each user must activate the renewal on his/her personal page of My products.

Can I cancel my course?
Monthly and quarterly subscriptions can be cancelled at any time before the next renewal date. Check all these details on My products.

When you sign up Hola, ¿qué tal? you enjoy 7 Premium days at no cost with all the course materials. The cancellation of this service does not involve a refund of the amount paid and you can continue to enjoy the Premium course until the end of that period. The only effect of the cancellation is that the expiration of the license is not renewed.

The annual subscription does not offer possibility of cancellation since it is automatically renewed when the year contract is fulfilled.

Can I return my course?

You can return your course, provided that the request fall within the first 15 days.

5. Technical issues

Minimum Computer Requirements
Processor: 300 mhz Celeron / Pentium 233 mhz
Memory: 128 MB RAM
Disk Space: 180 MB (minimum for a course)
Connection: 56k modem (not Winmoden)
Screen: 14 inches. Color 16 bits. 800x600
Graphics Card: 8mb memory
Sound Card: 16 bits
Microphone and speakers / headphones, standard
Operating System: Windows XP or higher, Mac OS X, Linux
Browser: Internet Explorer 6 or higher, Netscape v7.1 or higher, Mozilla v1.4 or Supeior Mozilla, Mozilla Firefox 1.0 or higher
Internet Connection: Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) Analogue
Email Client: Web Mail Server

Recommended Computer Requirements
Email Client: Web Mail Server
Processor: Pentium III 800 MHz / AMD Athlon 800 MHz or higher
Memory: 256 MB RAM
Disk Space: 180 MB minimum free course. 350 MB free for a level
Connection: Modem CABLE / DSL / ISDN
Screen: 15 inches. Color 24 bits. Resolution of 1024x768
Graphics Card: 32 MB of memory
Sound card: 16 bits or higher
Microphone and speakers / headphones: standard (headset recommended)
Operating System: Windows XP or higher, Mac OS X, Linux
Browser: Internet Explorer 6 or higher, Netscape v7.1 or higher, Mozilla Mozilla v1.4 or higher, Mozilla Firefox 1.0 or higher
Internet connection: cable or digital phone
Email Client: standard (POP 3 or IMAP)
 

What type of Internet connection do I require for using the Course?
Minimum connection requirements
Connection: 56k modem (not Win modem)
Internet connection: analogue Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

Recommended connection requirements
Connection: Modem CABLE / ADSL / ISDN
Internet connection: cable or digital telephony

Technical requirements for conversation classes
The general computer requirements are the same for conversation classes and we recommend the use of microphone and audio headset system, although not essential.

For conversation classes it is essential to use Windows Operating Systems PC or Mac (does not work with Linux or Mac OS X) and the supported browsers are Internet Explorer 6 or higher, Mozilla 2 or lower.

I have questions on how to learn Spanish with Hola, ¿qué tal?, can I ask for more information?
Sure, send us an email with your questions info@holaquetal.com