SPAN 2010

I enrolled in Sarah’s class after reading reviews that made it seem like it would be enjoyable and similar to 1060. While the content itself is not particularly difficult, the main issue is the classroom environment she creates. Sarah is very difficult to work with and often comes across as though she wants her students to fail rather than succeed.
Although she does provide ample resources, her lectures feel disorganized and scattered. In-class activities are also not very collaborative. We are allowed to use our computers, but much of the class time is spent typing answers into PowerPoint or Microsoft Office rather than engaging in meaningful conversation practice. Personally, I would much rather spend that time speaking Spanish with classmates instead of struggling with formatting or figuring out how to type accents correctly.
On the few occasions when we do have speaking activities, she comes around to each group. Instead of listening and allowing students to practice, she frequently interrupts, speaks over us to correct mistakes, and does so in a way that feels unnecessarily harsh. It can feel discouraging rather than helpful. Additionally, she often avoids eye contact when students are speaking or when addressing them, which makes interactions feel rushed and insincere.
Additionally, her grading is very subjective and she follows a rubric more harshly than needed. When approached about scores she gets very defensive and does not acknowledge opinions that falter from her own.
Overall, her attitude can come across as dismissive and condescending. Rather than fostering a supportive learning environment, the atmosphere often feels tense and uncomfortable. I was hoping for a more engaging and encouraging experience, but unfortunately, that has not been the case.

Professor Young has been one of the most engaging and supportive professors I’ve had. She creates a classroom environment that is both welcoming and encouraging, which makes it much easier to participate and practice speaking Spanish without feeling intimidated. It’s clear that she genuinely cares about her students’ learning and success.
Her teaching style is honestly very organized and thoughtful. Lessons are well-structured and do a great job of explaining grammar concepts in a clear, manageable way. At the same time, the class is interactive and engaging, which makes the material feel practical rather than just memorization. What I appreciated most is how approachable and patient Professor Young is. She takes the time to answer questions, provide helpful feedback, and make sure students understand the material. You can tell she is passionate about teaching and about helping students improve their language skills.
Overall, I would highly recommend Professor Young to anyone taking Spanish 2010 at UVA. She makes the learning experience enjoyable, supportive, and genuinely rewarding.

Professor Young gives us all of the materials needed to succeed in her class. There are a few daily assignments that allow you to stay sharp in your Spanish abilities and are relatively easy. Professor Young is very communicative about what is expected during the course and provides ample information for every assignment and project she gives you. She is very willing to help students improve their Spanish speaking when asked, and is very engaging in her teaching style!