Spanish Program

Semester Programs: These programs are suited for exchange students and those who will be residing in the country for prolonged periods of time, and contemplate 12 class hours per week, with a total of 200 hours. In addition, students are able to register for two additional courses according to their interests.

Program Dates:

First semester at UCSC (March – July): Second week of March.

Second semester at UCSC (August – December): Second week of August.

The Semester Program is divided into 3 courses:

1) Tools for Effective Oral Communication (ELE levels A, B & C offered) The course´s objective is to help students understand and produce effective oral messages in formal and informal communicative situations in Spanish. Through practice students will develop listening skills, as speaking skills in order to produce and understand oral texts of different levels of complexity.

2) Tools for Effective Written Communication (ELE levels A, B & C offered) This is a course which allows students to gain practical tools,knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills that facilitate production and critical understanding of written texts, based on the relationship between reading and writing, and at the same time, applying cognitive and metacognitive strategies that rely on the semantic, lexical, syntactic, and pragmatic aspects of a text, as well as on the consideration of ethical and cultural elements that may be involved in reception and textual production.

3) Introduction to Latin-American Cultures This is a course which provides tools and knowledge to appreciate similarities and contrasts between the Chilean and Latin American cultural heritage in the context of a globalized world. The approach to these cultures occurs through various methods and resources, such as conversation, text production, reading, film appreciation, knowledge of art and literature, field visits, among others.

4) Reading and Listening Comprehension (Only ELE level A1) This course offers native speakers of other languages the tools to develop Spanish communicative abilities at an initial level of reading and listening comprehension (A1). The purpose is that students communicate successfully in simple and daily communicative situations, provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to cooperate.

Intensive Programs: These programs can be offered in January and July of each year, and require a minimum number of students in order to take place. There are 60 and 90 hour formats, with students taking classes for 6 hours every day (30 hours per week) for two or three weeks. Three levels of communicative competence can be provided (basic, intermediate and advanced). Two hours per day are dedicated to a computer workshop that allows students to exercises the four language skills autonomously as well as interacting with other speakers by using technological media, all under the supervision of a tutor.

Special Programs: Tailor-made programs are available, depending on the specific needs of individuals or groups. For more information, contact cjurgensen@ucsc.cl