Viajes desde Appalachia Nivel I is a beginning Spanish textbook intended for use in the classroom, however independent learners will also find it to be useful. Through a scaffolded proficiency-based approach, Viajes Nivel I takes students from "no measurable proficiency" to at least Novice-High performance by the end of Spanish I. Tasks and assessments are proficiency-based. Proficiency-based instruction leaves students with skills that they can actually use in the future. The "end result" is that students can function in a variety of real-world scenarios to accomplish meaningful tasks. The authors grew up in and now teach in Appalachia, and understand the unique needs of rural language educators. Viajes approaches language learning through real-life scenarios and authentic materials that are relevant to rural students. Viajes and accompanying online resources (www.appviaj.es) can be used as a primary curriculum or to support already-existing language programs. Viajes task-based activities can be used for proficiency-based assessment of language skills acquired through a comprehensible input (CI) approach. Viajes follows a proficiency-based approach. Each unit includes authentic interpretive reading and listening activities. Interpersonal conversations and realistic presentational speaking and writing activities provide productive skills practice. Intercultural competencies are connected throughout the text.