Encuentros is a lively introductory Spanish program that teaches students to create with the language within the cultural context of day-to-day "encounters" in the Hispanic world. This thematic and situational approach, that is interactive and communicative, will show students how culture influences behavior and language. Interactive exercises simulate the listening, speaking, reading, and writing tasks performed by native speakers. The solid pedagogy of this program supports students as they learn strategies for managing each of the four skills, and they complete the course with a basic ability to communicate and function within the Hispanic culture.