Courses
All students are required to take a Spanish Grammar course at their respective level, which comprises two class hours per day. Depending on their level and the length of the term, students may then choose 1-3 elective courses.
All courses listed below are offered at four levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced, and proficient unless otherwise noted.
In December, only 3 class hours are offered, including Lengua Española and Conversación y redacción. For beginners, only Lengua Española and Amplicación de léxico are offered.
In March, only 3 or 4 class hours are offered, including Lengua española, Conversación y redacción and/or Cultura española. For beginners, only Lengua Española and Amplicación de léxico, and/or Actividades para la comunicación are offered.
CREDIT INFORMATION
Most API partner universities in Spain operate on the contact hour system, wherein the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. credits, divide the contact hours available by 15.
Lengua Española (Spanish Language) - 2 and 4 weeks
This course aims to improve students’ fluency in Spanish, paying special attention to grammar and vocabulary. Following a communicative and functional approach, the course offers students a wide range of tasks and activities which make them get familiar with real communicative contexts.
Conversación y Redacción (Conversation and Composition) - 2 and 4 weeks
Along this course, students work on their writing and speaking skills through the analysis and production of different written and oral texts.
Cultura Española (Spanish Culture) - 2 and 4 weeks
The objective of this course is to help the student understand the different aspects of the Spanish culture. The program includes not only information about geographic, political, historic aspects, but also the customs, behavior, and values which form a part of the Spanish character.
Historia de la España Contemporánea (Contemporary Spanish History) - 2 and 4 weeks
In this course, students analyze the most relevant events and figures from the 20th century and understand their repercussions on modern Spain.
Traducción al Español del Inglés - 2 weeks
This course stimulates students to reflect on the main structures and mechanisms of their own language and on those of Spanish. They translate a varied range of real texts, including many different styles and registers.
Ampliación de Léxico (Build Your Vocabulary) - 2 and 4 weeks
This course is only offered at an elementary level. It provides students with basic vocabulary they may need in order to solve basic daily-life tasks and problems using the Spanish language.
Prácticas de Destrezas Orales (Oral Skills Practice) - 2 and 4 weeks
During this course, students will develop their listening and speaking skills through guided activities which reproduce a variety of real communicative contexts.
Español de los Negocios (Spanish for Business) - 2 and 4 weeks
This course is designed for students who need to go deep into Spanish more specifically, focusing on the variety of language used for business. Special emphasis on specific vocabulary regarding this area and on the main language skills within this domain.
Literatura Contemporánea en Español (Contemporary Spanish Literature) - 2 and 4 weeks
The course offers an outline of the Spanish and Latin American literature written along the 20th century. Following a chronological order, it focuses on the main literary trends and on the development of literary genres by the most important authors of this period.
Actividades para la Comunicación (Communicative Activities) - 2 and 4 weeks
This course is only offered at an elementary level (A1 and A2). Students are provided with practical activities as if they were in daily-life contexts. Thanks to these activities, they can actively develop the four basic skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Arte Español (Spanish Art) - 2 and 4 weeks
With this course, students learn the main periods and trends of the Spanish art through History. During the course, students analyze the most important art works (paintings, sculptures and architecture) of the Spanish Heritage.
Prácticas de Destrezas Escritas (Written Skills Practice) - 2 and 4 weeks
With this class, students will learn to use their writing skills as a communicative tool. They will improve their writing through the reading comprehension and the production of different texts.
