Language Programs Overview

Language Programs Overview:

spanish programsWe offer Spanish Immersion courses which include a solid grammatical base and focus on communicative abilities, presented within a cultural context, allowing you to develop oral expression, written expression, auditory and reading comprehension; four critical aspects of your language skills. During your time in Oaxaca, you will have the opportunity to participate in many other types of activities that expose you to Mexican culture, including conferences, movie screenings and discussions, concerts, exhibitions, and reading circles.

Whatever program you decide is right for you, enthusiastic and dynamic native-speakers, all who have university degrees and years of teaching experience, will teach you, exclusively in Spanish. Your teacher will implement teaching strategies in order to facilitate your language acquisition and evaluate you throughout your learning process, giving you personal feedback and tailored assistance. In some cases, completion may serve as credit for a university course.

The academic program is comprised of 8 levels:

- Two basic levels (1A and 1B)
- Two intermediate levels (2A and 2B)
- Two advanced levels (3A and 3B)

Each level corresponds to a four-week course (80 hours of class) although you may register for a minimum of one week. You may begin your classes any Monday, although it is recommended to begin on the first Monday of each course. Before you begin classes, you will take a brief written and oral placement exam to enable us to place you into a Spanish class at a level that will suit you. After the placement exam, you attend a personal orientation session, providing information, not only about the Institute itself, but also about the stunning city of Oaxaca where you will be staying. We consider this orientation an important and essential part to your smooth adjustment to Oaxacan life.

Basic Level 1A:
This level is perfect for you if you are just starting to learn Spanish for the first time. As a course focused on the first contact with the language, emphasis is placed on communicative skills and auditory comprehension in a personal context within the Mexican culture.

Basic Level 1B:
If you have had an introduction to Spanish language studies and are able to communicate with basic grammatical structures, then this level is for you. In this course, you will reinforce what you have already learned and develop grammatical skills facilitating your use and comprehension of more complex structures. The cultural context of this course focuses on the connection between the individual and the world.

Intermediate Level 2A:
This level is designed for those who already know the basics of Spanish grammar. If you are capable of communicating basic needs and understand the mechanics of the language, this level will help you develop more complex structures. The cultural focus centers around expressions of daily life by means of audiovisual aides.

Intermediate Level 2B:
If your knowledge of the language and its structure is at a level that has already allowed you to become involved in the culture; the design of this course places emphasis on beginning to produce subjective and complex structures. The cultural focus provokes a more profound reflection of Latin American culture as a combination of pre-Hispanic elements and influences from outside cultures, which together provide a portrait of modern Mexico.

Advanced Level 3A:
This level is perfect if you want to acquire a greater fluency and to maintain conversations with a high level of grammar and vocabulary. In this course you will perfect basic grammatical constructions that always present difficulties to non-native speakers. The subjunctive mood will be expanded upon in all of its uses and forms. The cultural aspect is focused on Oaxaca.

Advanced Level 3B:
If you already have a high degree of fluency in communication and a strong knowledge of complex grammatical aspects, but need to place more attention on certain details then this level was designed especially for you. The course develops skills to compose and edit different types of texts. The cultural focus is Latin America through the lens of literary expression.

Advanced Language Practice:
The Advanced Language Practice course is perfect for you if you are already fluent in Spanish as a second language but want to refine certain grammatical aspects and develop your oral and written expression as well as your auditory and reading comprehension. In this program, the revision of grammatical content is personalised. You will work with authentic materials such as magazines, newspapers, music and movies. Engaging with these materials will enhance your Spanish while providing a greater appreciation of culture and its intimate connection to the Spanish language in Mexico.

Literature:
If you are already fluent in Spanish as a second language and have a complete knowledge of the each of the previous levels, you will now want to advance your understanding of the practice of the language. Rather than revising grammer, this course will aid your acquisition and comprehension of colloquial expressions, knowledge of the culture, its history, and how these factors comprise the essence of Latin America. The focus is on literary production in Latin America.