Our Intensive Spanish Program is comprised of an average of 6 daily hours of class. All of our courses are imparted in Spanish by native Spanish speaking instructors.

The following courses involve explicit language learning. The average class size is 4-6, and never more than 12 students per classroom. 

CEFRL:Common European Framework of References for Languages

Español I
A groundwork course for beginners, covering simple statements and questions, introductions, personal information, affiliations, family; expressing courtesies, agreement/disagreement, handling survival situations. Present tense. (ACTFL Novice; FSI 1; CEFRL Breakthrough A1,A2)

 

Español II
Narrate/describe in present, past, future. Fully participate in casual conversations, give instructions, simple reports. Handle complaints, emergency situations, get out of trouble, and make comparisons. (ACTFL Low Intermediate; FSI 2; CEFRL Waystage A1,A2)

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Español III
Defend opinions, hypothesize, and tailor language to the situation. Give orders. (ACTFL High Intermediate; FSI 3; CEFRL Threshold B1)

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Español IV
Narrate in detail with precision, interviews, simultaneous interpretation, brain- storming, and special fields of interest. (ACTFL Advanced; FSI 4; CEFRL Threshold B1)

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Español V
The student can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. (ACTFL. Advanced, FSI IV, CEFRL Vantage B2)

Español VI
The student can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious seraching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.(ACTFL Superior; FSI 5; CEFRL Vantage B2) 

The following Workshops and Seminars are not limited to 12 students and students with different levels of Spanish are mixed.

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Workshops
Pronunciation & Diction
A presentation of the organs of speech in relation to each other in order to make vowel and consonant sounds. Syllables, words and eventually tongue twisters help elementary students lose their foreign "accent."

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Grammatical Problems
An indepth review of special difficulties in the Spanish language. This course is taught specifically for advanced students and Spanish teachers.

Oral Communication Workshop 
A Workshop for Level 2 students that reinforces some of the material covered in Levels 1 and 2 through interactive linguistic activities.

Seminars

Mesoamerican cultures

An overview of indigenous  cultures that developed in parts of Mexico and Central America prior to Spanish exploration and conquest in the 16th century. An introduction to  the organization of their  empires and their sophisticated monuments and cities, and the extent and refinement of its intellectual accomplishments.

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The Conquest and the New Spain

After Columbus’ discovery of the new continent, every country in Europe wanted to colonize the New World, but  Spain was in the heyday of its power.  Spain wanted the material aid and mineral wealth from its colonies, and felt obligated to spread Christianity among the natives. 

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The Independence and Reform

The stage for the dissatisfaction and upheaval that gave rise to  the Mexican Independence movement was set by political and economic changes in Europe. The French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars diverted Spain’s attention from its colonies leaving a vacuum and increasing dissatisfaction and desire for local government. 
 

The Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was brought on by, among other factors, tremendous discontent among the Mexican people over the dictatorship of President Porfirio Díaz. During that span, power was concentrated in the hands of a select few; the people had no power to express their opinions or choose their public officials. Wealth was likewise concentrated in the hands of a few, and injustice was everywhere, in the cities and the countryside alike.

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Study of the Mexican Mind
An inquiry into the contemporary aspects of the Mexican mind and their historical development. Characteristics of Mexican philosophy and psychology are discussed in relation to the various social classes existing in modern Mexico.

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Folk Singing & Folk Dancing
A survey of genres in Mexican and Latin American music. Songs and traditional dances, from Pre-Hispanic times to the present.

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Novohispanic Literature
Reading and discussing Mayan and Nahuatl literature; Mestizo and Spanish chronicles about Conquest; the beginnings of Mexican literature in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

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Mexican 19th Century Literature & Modernism
A discussion of Mexican poetry and prose from the Independence Wars to the end of the century, including political literature, the novel and theater.  Romanticism and Realism.

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Twentieth Century Mexican Literature I 
Directed readings and discussions of the most prominent works on poetry and narrative during the Mexican Revolution and through the 1930’s.

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Twentieth Century Mexican Literature II 
Poetry, narrative, theatre and the essay in contemporary writers from 1940’s to the present.

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Special Help
All of our teachers are available for consultation during our 10-minute breaks as well.

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