Cinema for Spanish Conversation (Fifth Edition)

 Cinema for Spanish Conversation, Fifth Edition, draws on sixteen high-interest films (and related readings) to introduce students to the authentic language and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Each chapter offers a wide variety of activities designed to improve students’ conversational skills as well as opportunities for reading and writing practice. Available for sale only in the US, Canada, and UK.

New to the Fifth Edition:

• Three new critically acclaimed films, including Yuli (set in Cuba), El último verano de la Boyita (Argentina), and Oscar-award-winning film Roma (Mexico), along with readings and activities related to each.
• A section, added to each chapter, offering new and expanded activities related to the films.
• Updated information on each film, and its actors and directors.
• A revised and updated appendix, organized by chapter, offering a list of recent films that can be compared or contrasted to the films in the book.

Additional Resources:

Instructor's Manual (PDF): A PDF-only instructor's manual is available. Please use this form to request the instructor's manual.

The Films:

Films page: Links to purchase/rent/stream the films are available on the Cinema for Spanish Conversation films page.

La misma luna, María llena eres de gracia, Flores de otro mundo, Roma (​NEW!), También la lluvia, Todo sobre mi madre, Como agua para chocolate, Diarios de motocicleta, Mar adentro, Presunto culpable, El último verano de la Boyita ​(NEW!), Volver, El norte, No, Yuli (NEW!), and El viaje de Carol

Reviews:

"Cinema for Spanish Conversation is already a classic pedagogical text, geared for those students seeking to improve their verbal fluency in the Spanish language while exploring complex issues relating to contemporary Spanish-speaking societies and their diaspora through the lenses of the film industry."
     —Asela R. Laguna, Rutgers University, Newark

"Students love watching films in general, and using a series of high-quality films that are very rich in cultural content keeps them interested and actively involved in the class."
     —Ruth Owens, Arkansas State University

"The new exercises challenge students and prompt them to think critically, to learn more about pressing questions in the Spanish-speaking world, and to produce their own ideas in the target language."
     —Elizabeth Guerrero, Bucknell University

About the Authors:

Mary McVey Gill has authored and co-authored many widely adopted Spanish textbooks and language references, including Cultura y cine and ¡De película! (with Deana Smalley) for Focus.

Deana Smalley has taught at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Stanford University, and Santa Clara University, among others, and is the co-author of several Spanish textbooks. She started incorporating film in her Spanish language, culture, and literature courses early in her career.

María-Paz Haro is Professor of Spanish, emerita, at Stanford University, where she has taught courses on Spanish and Spanish American cinema.