Is the Intensive Program for Me?

Salamanca University’s intensive Spanish language courses take place every month and are available to students at all levels of language proficiency.

Typically, students choose this course format because they have a limited study period within which they wish to learn as much Spanish as possible, either for personal or professional purposes, or in some cases to prepare for an upcoming extended period of study in Spain. Because of this, the student body in these courses in quite varied, with students of all ages and backgrounds sharing the same classroom.

The first day of the program consists of a level test that is assessed to determine the student’s appropriate level of study. Students are also given the class schedule on this day.

The daily learning structure is as follows:

• Hours 1-2: Spanish language and grammar.
  The objective of this course is to increase students’ fluency in the target language, with special focus on grammar and vocabulary. The teaching methodology follows a communicative and functional approach, in which students are exposed to a variety of tasks and activities in real communicative contexts.

• Hour 3: Students take optional subjects:
  CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION
  Beginners broaden their Spanish vocabulary. Experienced students take optional subjects, including History of Contemporary Spain, Speaking and Writing, and Women in Spanish History.
  SPANISH HISTORY
  The aim of this course is to analyze the different periods, historical figures and facts that have created the multicultural History of Spain. The coursework is presented through a variety of media, focusing on the periods from Prehistory to modern day.
  THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN SPANISH HISTORY The objective of this course is to provide insight into the role of women throughout the History of Spain. Starting from the Medium Age until current times, information will be shared specific to each historical period.
  

• Hour 4: Students take optional subjects:
  ORAL SKILLS PRACTICE
  In this course, students will further develop their speaking and listening skills through a wide variety of activities meant to simulate actual communicative contexts.
  THE ARAB WORLD IN THE HISPANIC CULTURE
  Through analyzing the culture, art, traditions and literature of the Arab world, students will learn how these influences have contributed to the Hispanic identity.
  SPANISH LITERATURE
  In this course, students are presented with an overview of Spanish literature from the Medium Age until present day. Following a chronological order of real texts, students will have the opportunity to see the political, historical and social contexts represented in the different time periods.
  SPANISH CULTURE
  In order to increase their understanding of the Spanish culture, students will study factors relating to geography, politics and history, as well as the customs, values and behaviors that form an important part of the Spanish character.
  (For students who take 20 or 25 hours, respectively.) Beginners participate in the language laboratory and complete communication activities. Experienced students take optional subjects, including:

• Hour 5: Students take optional subjects:
  SPANISH ART
  Students will learn about the most significant periods and trends of Spanish art through History by analyzing works of Spanish Heritage in a variety of forms (paintings, sculptures, and architecture).
  SPANISH FOR BUSINESS
  For students who are motivated to use their Spanish skills in the business world, this course provides a special emphasis on vocabulary and the main language skills used in this domain.
  WRITTEN SKILLS PRACTICE
  The objective of this course is for students to improve their writing skills through the reading comprehension and production of a variety of texts.
  SPANISH AND LATIN AMERICAN CINEMA
  Students will view and study a set of films from Spain and Latin America in different periods in order to carefully analyze the narrative strategies used to create artistic expression in cinema.
  

In March it is only possible to book 3 or 4 hours:

• Hours 1-2: Spanish language and grammar
• Hour 3: Conversation and Writing Skills
• Hour 4: Spanish Culture

In September, the following course options are not offered:

• The Role of Women in Spanish History
• Spanish and Latin American Cinema
• The Arab World in Hispanic Culture

In December it is only possible to book 3 hours:

• Hours 1-2: Spanish language and grammar
• Hour 3: Conversation and Writing Skills