Destinos

Overview of "Destinos" by Bill Van Patten, Martha A. Marks, and Richard V. Teschner

Plot Summary: "Destinos" is a television program and educational resource designed to teach Spanish as a second language. The story follows Raquel Rodríguez, a lawyer from Los Angeles, who is hired by Don Fernando Castillo to investigate the mysterious letter he received from Señora Teresa Suárez in Spain. The letter claims that Don Fernando's first wife, Rosario, did not die in the Spanish Civil War as he believed, but instead survived and had a child named Angel. Raquel's investigation takes her to various Spanish-speaking locations, including Seville, Madrid, Buenos Aires, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, where she encounters a series of adventures, mishaps, and melodramatic conflicts.

Key Themes:

1. Cultural Diversity: The series explores the cultural diversity of Spanish-speaking countries, providing learners with a rich cultural context.
2. Human Emotions: The story is full of human emotions, including love, family secrets, and the force of the human spirit.
3. Investigation and Discovery: Raquel's journey is a metaphor for the process of learning a new language, where she uncovers secrets and pieces together clues.
4. Family and Relationships: The series delves into complex family relationships and the consequences of past actions.

Critical Reception: "Destinos" was innovative in its approach to teaching Spanish, using a comprehension-based method that allowed students to develop listening comprehension skills through a compelling narrative. The series was designed to be accessible to beginners, with two types of Spanish: comprehensible language for acquisition and more rapid conversational Spanish.

Educational Features:

1. Visual Tour: Each lesson begins with an image from the video that captures a key moment from that episode. This visual aid helps students understand the story and its context.
2. Preparación and ¿Tienes buena memoria?: These sections help students prepare for upcoming episodes by reviewing vocabulary, grammar, and cultural themes. They also test students' understanding of previous episodes and encourage discussion about the story and characters.
3. Vocabulario del tema: This section reviews and offers opportunities for using vocabulary related to the topic, helping students to see and hear language used before being asked to produce it.

Educational Impact: "Destinos" has been widely used in educational settings to teach Spanish. Its innovative approach and engaging storyline make it an effective tool for language learners. The series provides abundant reading materials and encourages students to develop speaking and writing skills while focusing on listening comprehension.

In summary, "Destinos" is a comprehensive educational resource that combines a compelling narrative with effective language learning strategies, making it a valuable tool for teaching Spanish as a second language.