Punto y aparte uniquely synthesizes the lessons learned in first-year Spanish by focusing on seven core communicative functions (called out with icons throughout the program) and the grammatical structures that support them. These functions are constantly recycled throughout the program to reflect the real-life use of language. Grammar review may be found at the back of the program, reserving the main chapters for setting up engaging real-world uses of language and rich cultural presentation. Punto y aparte offers meaningful communicative practice through writing and speaking activities that help put students on a successful path to progress from simple utterances to more extensive discourse, and from sentence-level to paragraph length expression.

"Supplementary Materials to accompany Puntos de partida, 8e, " by Sharon Foerster and Jean Miller (University of Texas, Austin) is comprised of worksheets and a teacher's guide. These two supplements are a compilation of materials that include short pronunciation practice, listening exercises, grammar worksheets, integrative communication-building activities, comprehensive chapter reviews, and language games.