Spanish 1, an entry-level course at Elkton, is designed to introduce students to the language, culture, and history of Spanish-speaking peoples. The course is intended to be 1 year-long, although a student may choose to opt out of class at the end of the fall semester and still receive 1/2 credit. One full credit of Spanish 1 is prerequisite to Spanish 2. 

Any high school student is encouraged to take this course. Many out-of-state colleges require study of a second language for admittance to their programs. 

Students will succeed if they learn the fundamentals of grammar and usage, including idiomatic expressions, verbs and their conjugations, general vocabulary and basic conversational skills, as practiced in class.
Students are expected to learn approximately 10 words each day. Ten minutes every evening at home helps retention. 

- Nueva Vista, a variety of other textbooks
- Primero Año workbook
- games, puzzles, literature, CD-Rom, Internet, music, food,  costumes
- Film: 'Sweet 15'
- Documentaries: Bullfighting video, other cultural videos