Spanish Language Home Page
Spanish español or Castillian castellano
Is a Romance language spoken by more than 250 million people in Spain, the Americas, and Africa. Outside the Iberian Peninsula, Spanish is spoken in all of Central and South America except Brazil, as well as in the Canary Islands, parts of Morocco, and the Philippines.
Latin-American Spanish has a number of regional dialects; all are derived from Castilian but differ in several points of phonology from European Spanish.
Faculty
Marc Accornero, Instructor
Degree(s) / Institutions
M.A.: UC Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley, CA, PhD Candidate
B.A.: UCLA, CA
Major: Hispanic Studies
Major: Romance Languages and Literatures
Classes taught at WVC: Spanish 1A, 1B; 50A Telecourse; Italian 1A, 1B: Music 1 and 2
Experience: taught at various Universities and Colleges in California. Worked as translator and editor, as well as tour director for cultural tours.
Message to prospective students:
Personal interests: Cinema, Cuisine, Theater, Music, Tennis, Skiing
Research: Dulcinea in Don Quijote; The Songs of García Lorca
Educational Biography (new window)
( PDF 41 KB )
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Musical Biography (new window)
( PDF 41 KB )
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Dr. Ana María de Barling, PhD, Instructor, Department Chair
Instructor: Spanish
Department Chair of Foreign Languages
Telephone: 408 741-2489
Office: Language Arts Building #04
Courses Taught:
Beginning Spanish: Spanish 1A, Spanish 1B
Intermediate Spanish: Spanish 2B
Advanced Spanish: Spanish 3A, Spanish 3B
Directed/or Independent Studies in Spanish
Academic Background
Ed.D. University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA - Curriculum and Instruction
MA University of San Diego, University of Guadalajara, México. - Mexican
Literature and Culture
MA San José State University, San José, CA - Latin American Literature
BA San José State University, San José, CA -Spanish Language
Undergraduate course work at the University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
College Committees
Coalition for Student Success
Global Education
Minority Advocacy Committee
Experience:
25 years High School
1 year Private School
11 years Community College
Personal interests or areas of research:
Language Immersion Program in Lepotzlan, Morelos, Mexico - Intermediate Spanish
Language Institute offers programs in English for Spanish Speakers, Spanish for English Speakers, French, Italian
Areas of research:
History of Mexican women
History of Pre-Hispanic Civilizations Aztecs, Mayas, Incas
InterSpan Language Immersion Program in Tepotzlán , Morelos, México.
The InterSpan Language Institute offers programs in English for Spanish speakers,
Spanish for English speakers, French, and Italian.
Robert Joseph Chavez, Instructor
Highest degree/ Institutions: M.A. Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas
Major: Spanish, French, Mexican-American Studies
Classes at WVC: All levels of Spanish
Experience: International Purser for trans World Airlines, High School-College Instructor
Personal message: The importance of foreign languages becomes more apparent every day. The world is smaller and we need to understand ourselves better as well as our neighbors. Foreign languages help do this.
Personal interests or areas of research: Pre-Columbian history
Foreign languages and cultures
Cristina DeRuiter, Instructor
Highest degree /Institutions: MA San Jose State in Spanish Univesity, San Jose CA
BA UC Berkeley, Berkeley CA
Major or minors: Major in Spanish
Minor in French
Classes at WVC: Spanish 1A
Experience: 10 years Spanish at High School
1995 till present Spanish at WVC
Personal message: The most necessary tool in learning is the desire to learn. Learning a language is a life long process that requires constant practice.
Personal interests or areas of research: Spanish literature and culture
Mario Leonardo D'Onofrio, PhD, Instructor
Classes taught at WVC: Spanish 1A, 1B, 50A
Degrees/Institutions:
PhD in Romance languages. Case Western Reserve University, 1978.
Dissertation: La constructions de la narrativa indigenista andina: Ciro Alegria indeginista.
M.A. Ohio State University Spanish Literature
B.A. Kent State University, Major: Spanish Minor: French
Major and minors: Spanish Literature - Novela Peninsular siglos XIX & XX. Novela
latinoamericana siglo XX-Periodo; Modernismo - author Ciro Alegria.
Related fields: French and Italian with concentration Medieval Literature.
Experience:
35 years College teaching
15 years University, Chair of Modern Language
Personal message to prospective students:
"Dreams come true through perseverance."
Anything is possible once you create the possibility. Don't let anyone steal your dream, no matter what.
"Education is essential in life."
Personal interests or areas of research:
I love to perform in opera and to read and research in my indigenous literary field.
Alpha Mu Gamma:
On April 22, 2005, after 30 some years a chapter of Alpha Mu Gamma, the national Collegiate Foreign
Language Honor Society, was started. We were able to initiate 11 students into the chapter of Zeta Kappa.
Alpha Mu Gamma has as its primary purpose honoring of students for their outstanding academic
achievement during their first year of foreign language study. Currently holding position as Chapter advisor.
Sandra Plyler, Instructor
Degrees / Institutions M.A. La Sorbonne, Paris, France
Majors / Minors; French Literature, French
Spanish, Drama
Classes at WVC: Spanish 1A, 1B Medical Spanish
Experience: 26 years teaching literature and advanced Spanish and French classes
Consultant for Metro University, Denver, CO
Personal message to prospective students:
Learning a foreign language is a great tool to allow you to communicate and understand people from other cultures.
Personal interests or areas of research:
Reading, rock climbing, hiking, tennis, spending time with family
Irene Upson, Instructor
Highest degree/ Institution: M.A.San Jose State University in Spanish, San Jose CA
B.A. Latin American Studies
San Jose State University, CA
Classes at WVC: Spanish 1A, 1B, 2A, 2b
Experience: 27 years teaching a variety of classes in Spanish at the College level
Personal message: Take foreign languages and you will develop different perspectives and
enjoy life!
Personal interest or areas of research: Reading and writing childrens books from around
the world.
• last updated: November 19, 2007 •