Spanish Language & Culture
2011/2012 Year - Academics

Academic Focus

The Spanish Language & Culture program at Antonio de Nebrija University is designed for students in any language level who are interested in focusing their studies primarily on the exploration of Spanish language and culture. By immersing yourself in an entirely Spanish learning environment, you will expand your language skills and increase your knowledge of Spanish culture and history. All courses will be taken at the university's Dehesa de la Villa campus, located a short distance from Moncloa, a popular university district in Madrid.

You will enroll in four to five courses, combining language classes with electives. Spanish language courses focus on oral expression, vocabulary development and listening comprehension. In the Beginner, Low Intermediate, and Intermediate levels, language courses are taught in blocks. Over the course of one semester, students in these levels will take 3 language courses sequentially. For example, if you are in the Beginner level, you will start in Beginner Spanish I, progress to Beginner Spanish II, and finish in Intermediate Spanish I.

Early Start

This program also features a unique Early Start option. In the spring semester, you will take a four week intensive language preparation course. In the fall semester, the preparation course is two weeks. This course, focused on grammar and conversation, is designed to help you adjust to the university setting and prepare you for the semester placement exam.

Students participating in the Early Start option in the spring will receive an additional 90 contact hours of language instruction, which is usually worth 6 credits in the US semester system. Fall students will receive 45 contact hours, usually worth 3 credits in the US semester system.

Program Goals

Through formal and informal learning connected to the host university, city, people and culture; and by applying appropriate cognitive, affective, behavioral, ethical and intercultural tools; students will develop and articulate:

• discipline-based knowledge in the liberal arts and humanities and level-appropriate Spanish language skills for study in these fields;
• analytic insight into salient cultural differences in the host country’s approach to targeted concepts and issues within these fields, all considered within the larger context of globalization and;
• Spanish language and intercultural communication skills.

Schedule Summary

Classes may be held on any day of the week and are offered at various times throughout the day. During the intensive language portion of the program, students will meet Monday through Friday for a total of 20 hours per week. Class times vary and your final course schedule will be determined onsite.

Course Registration

You will begin your semester with a placement exam on both written and spoken competence. You will then be placed in classes with other students of your own language level in one of seven language levels: Beginner, Low Intermediate, Intermediate, High Intermediate or Advanced, Proficient, and Heritage Speakers. Course content increases in difficulty with every level. In order to ensure that you receive credit for the level that you place into, it is in your best interest to have courses at several levels approved by your academic advisor prior to departure.