The Intensive Language Program is designed for students who want to study abroad in Buenos Aires and work exclusively on improving their Spanish language proficiency. There are no cultural electives offered within this program. All students complete a placement test prior to departure. Language levels are announced upon arrival in Buenos Aires.
Open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Open to all levels of Spanish speakers
Completed API application
University contact information form
One letter of recommendation
Official transcript
Entry requirement: valid passport with supporting documents
Program Details
What You’ll Study
TOTAL CREDITS - 6 credits per session (up to 21 total)
The Intensive Language Program is designed for students who want to study abroad in Buenos Aires and work exclusively on improving their Spanish language proficiency. There are no cultural electives offered within this program. All students complete a placement test prior to departure. Language levels are announced upon arrival in Buenos Aires.
CREDIT BREAKDOWN
Students complete a total of 108 U.S. contact hours per 4-week summer session.
Forty-five U.S. contact hours generally equate to three semester credits, and the API transcript letter will recommend a total of 7 U.S. semester credits per intensive Spanish course. Students are cautioned, however, that home universities may award fewer credits for each Spanish course than the high number of contact hours may suggest.
NOTE: The Summer 3 option can only be combined with the Summer 1&2 or Summer 2 programs. Summer 3 is not available as a stand-alone option.
Summer 1
120 Argentine contact hours (108 U.S. contact hours)
5 hours of class per day, 4-5 days per week for 4 weeks
Summer 2
120 Argentine contact hours (108 U.S. contact hours)
5 hours of class per day, 4-5 days per week for 4 weeks
Summer 1&2
240 Argentine contact hours (216 U.S. contact hours)
5 hours of class per day, 4-5 days per week for 8 weeks
Summer 1,2, & 3
360 Argentine contact hours (324 U.S. contact hours)
5 hours of class per day, 4-5 days per week for 12 weeks
Summer 2 & 3
240 Argentine contact hours (216 U.S. contact hours)
5 hours of class per day, 4-5 days per week for 8 weeks
TRANSCRIPTS
API students receive a transcript from the Universidad de Belgrano upon completion of their program.
Courses
COURSE OFFERINGS
Students complete one intensive Spanish language course during each summer session. Courses range between 3 and 7 semester credits.
CREDIT INFORMATION
At the Universidad de Belgrano, each contact hour is equivalent to 45 minutes, rather than the standard 50 minutes in the United States. API recommends the number of credit hours to be awarded per course by translating the total number of Argentine contact hours into U.S. contact hours.
Elementary Spanish
Students at the beginning level develop basic language skills. Course objectives include: 1. Integrate knowledge of vocabulary and grammar; 2. Contextualize grammatical elements from the standpoint of real communication; 3. Emphasize the relationship between language and culture, so that the student learns how a language can facilitate access to a culture.
These courses require that students already understand basic grammatical concepts so they can be introduced to a more advanced stage of the study of the language, so as to reach an overall dominance of the Spanish language system in its diverse contexts.
These courses require that students already understand basic grammatical concepts so they can be introduced to a more advanced stage of the study of the language, so as to reach an overall dominance of the Spanish language system in its diverse contexts.
This course consolidates the student’s general knowledge of the language and puts a special emphasis on comprehensive reading and production of texts. It offers students the opportunity to improve writing skills, not only with regard to the use of appropriate forms of grammar but also an adequate organization of texts by different text types. Note: Syllabi are available to further detail the content covered in each Spanish course.
Students at the beginning level develop basic language skills. Course objectives include: 1. Integrate knowledge of vocabulary and grammar; 2. Contextualize grammatical elements from the standpoint of real communication; 3. Emphasize the relationship between language and culture, so that the student learns how a language can facilitate access to a culture.
These courses require that students already understand basic grammatical concepts so they can be introduced to a more advanced stage of the study of the language, so as to reach an overall dominance of the Spanish language system in its diverse contexts.
These courses require that students already understand basic grammatical concepts so they can be introduced to a more advanced stage of the study of the language, so as to reach an overall dominance of the Spanish language system in its diverse contexts.
This course consolidates the student’s general knowledge of the language and puts a special emphasis on comprehensive reading and production of texts. It offers students the opportunity to improve writing skills, not only with regard to the use of appropriate forms of grammar but also an adequate organization of texts by different text types. Note: Syllabi are available to further detail the content covered in each Spanish course.
Students at the beginning level develop basic language skills. Course objectives include: 1. Integrate knowledge of vocabulary and grammar; 2. Contextualize grammatical elements from the standpoint of real communication; 3. Emphasize the relationship between language and culture, so that the student learns how a language can facilitate access to a culture.
These courses require that students already understand basic grammatical concepts so they can be introduced to a more advanced stage of the study of the language, so as to reach an overall dominance of the Spanish language system in its diverse contexts.
These courses require that students already understand basic grammatical concepts so they can be introduced to a more advanced stage of the study of the language, so as to reach an overall dominance of the Spanish language system in its diverse contexts.
This course consolidates the student’s general knowledge of the language and puts a special emphasis on comprehensive reading and production of texts. It offers students the opportunity to improve writing skills, not only with regard to the use of appropriate forms of grammar but also an adequate organization of texts by different text types. Note: Syllabi are available to further detail the content covered in each Spanish course.
API students participate in several excursions per session designed to help familiarize them with areas of their host city, country, and surrounding region. The following is a listing of all excursions for API Buenos Aires programs. All excursions are subject to change.
*Combined session summer students (e.g. Summer 1& 2, or Summer 1, 2, &3) will not repeat excursions.
Colonia del Sacramento
A brief trip from Buenos Aires by ferry, Colonia has a unique history as the only Portuguese settlement along the Río de la Plata. Founded in 1680, it was originally seen as a threat to the Spanish settlers and the port had to operate in secret violation of Spanish laws. Today, the city is still a functioning port for a prosperous agricultural region of Uruguay. The city has a historic center with cobblestone streets and picturesque architecture. Its Barrio Historico was recognized by UNESCO and named as a heritage site in the mid-1990s.
Estancia Visit
A trip to Argentina would not be complete with only a visit to its capital city of Buenos Aires. Aside from the attractions of Buenos Aires, Argentina is known for its cattle, its wines, and its grains. Argentine legends and mythology often refer to the mysterious life of the Argentine cowboy, known as the gaucho. Located a few hours from the city, local estancias, or ranches, are a wonderful introduction to the Argentine countryside; their tranquility and open spaces contrast with the bustle of Buenos Aires and will give students a completely different vision of life in Argentina.
Colonia del Sacramento
A brief trip from Buenos Aires by ferry, Colonia has a unique history as the only Portuguese settlement along the Río de la Plata. Founded in 1680, it was originally seen as a threat to the Spanish settlers and the port had to operate in secret violation of Spanish laws. Today, the city is still a functioning port for a prosperous agricultural region of Uruguay. The city has a historic center with cobblestone streets and picturesque architecture. Its Barrio Historico was recognized by UNESCO and named as a heritage site in the mid-1990s.
Estancia Visit
A trip to Argentina would not be complete with only a visit to its capital city of Buenos Aires. Aside from the attractions of Buenos Aires, Argentina is known for its cattle, its wines, and its grains. Argentine legends and mythology often refer to the mysterious life of the Argentine cowboy, known as the gaucho. Located a few hours from the city, local estancias, or ranches, are a wonderful introduction to the Argentine countryside; their tranquility and open spaces contrast with the bustle of Buenos Aires and will give students a completely different vision of life in Argentina.
Colonia del Sacramento
A brief trip from Buenos Aires by ferry, Colonia has a unique history as the only Portuguese settlement along the Río de la Plata. Founded in 1680, it was originally seen as a threat to the Spanish settlers and the port had to operate in secret violation of Spanish laws. Today, the city is still a functioning port for a prosperous agricultural region of Uruguay. The city has a historic center with cobblestone streets and picturesque architecture. Its Barrio Historico was recognized by UNESCO and named as a heritage site in the mid-1990s.
Estancia Visit
A trip to Argentina would not be complete with only a visit to its capital city of Buenos Aires. Aside from the attractions of Buenos Aires, Argentina is known for its cattle, its wines, and its grains. Argentine legends and mythology often refer to the mysterious life of the Argentine cowboy, known as the gaucho. Located a few hours from the city, local estancias, or ranches, are a wonderful introduction to the Argentine countryside; their tranquility and open spaces contrast with the bustle of Buenos Aires and will give students a completely different vision of life in Argentina.
Housing
In Buenos Aires, students live with local host families. Host families serve as a unique introduction into the Argentine culture and may be made up of a retirement-age couple, a single woman with or without children, or a traditional two-parent household. Students are provided with two meals per day (except on weekends), as well as laundry service once per week. Students live in the Palermo, Recoleta, and Belgrano neighborhoods, which are generally 15-45 minutes from their host university.
