Spanish Course
Introduction:
This course has been designed to meet the Spanish language needs of Belizean High School Graduates who wish to pursue undergraduate studies at a university in Mexico or any other Spanish speaking country in Central or South America.
As shown below, the European Framework of Reference for Language –CEFRL-, which is an international standard for describing language ability, has been used as the basis to structure a course whose goal is to help students develop the language competence required to successfully interact within a Spanish Speaking Academic Community in Latin America. Along with the words of the language, students will be encouraged to embrace the culture and transfer their academic skills into their second language in order to explore ways of enhancing such skills as may be required by the university and the major of their choice.
Objective:
Upon completion of this course, students will have developed the linguistic competence required to successfully complete an undergraduate program of studies taught in the Spanish Language.
Description:
The course defines levels of progress as follow
LEVEL: A1 BASIC USER 80 HOURS
COMPETENCIES:
LISTENING | SPEAKING | READING | WRITING |
understand familiar words and simple phrases when they are spoken slowly and clearly | communicate in short, simple phrases | comprehend single words and simple sentences, e.g. signs and billboards | produce short, simple notes and postcards and fill in forms |
LEVEL: A2 BASIC USER 80 HOURS
COMPETENCIES:
LISTENING | SPEAKING | READING | WRITING |
understand the overall meaning of short, simple, clearly spoken messages | make oneself understood with a series of sentences in familiar everyday situations | read and comprehend short, simple text, e.g. advertisements and personal correspondence | produce short, simple notes, messages, e-mails and personal letters |
LEVEL: B1 INDEPENDENT USER 80 HOURS
COMPETENCIES:
LISTENING | SPEAKING | READING | WRITING |
understand important information regarding work, school, free time, etc | participate in conversations regarding family, hobbies, work, school, travel and current events | comprehend texts written in everyday language for general, and school related purposes | produce simple, connected text on familiar themes and topics |
LEVEL: B2 INDEPENDENT USER 80 HOURS
COMPETENCIES:
LISTENING | SPEAKING | READING | WRITING |
follow lengthy statements and reports as well as most films and TV shows when the topics are somewhat familiar | relay ideas relatively fluently and spontaneously, and actively participate in discussions | understand articles, reports and contemporary literary prose | produce detailed texts such as essays, reports and letters, and present arguments effectively |
LEVEL: C1 PROFICIENT USER 80 HOURS
COMPETENCIES:
LISTENING | SPEAKING | READING | WRITING |
understand lengthy reports, lectures, TV shows and films without great effort | express thoughts spontaneously, fluently and precisely | comprehend complex and lengthy texts of a specialized or literary nature | produce clear, well-structured texts in appropriate style on complex subjects |
LEVEL: C2 PROFICIENT USER 80 HOURS
COMPETENCIES:
LISTENING | SPEAKING | READING | WRITING |
understand spoken language with ease, even when spoken quickly | participate effortlessly in all conversations and discussions, understanding and using colloquial language | comprehend original texts of any complexity with ease | produce sophisticated and complex texts, summarize and discuss specialized texts and literature |
Total of Hours of On-Site Instruction: 480
Needless to say, students will be asked to do homework whose nature will depend on the level in question. We have estimated that 6 to 10 hours of independent individual work is required to achieved intended goals.
Methodology:
Classroom work will be conducted in Spanish and students will be required to participate actively in all activities proposed. Materials will be prepared/ selected by instructor and timely provided to students. Students’ performance will be evaluated on a monthly basis.
Entrance Exam:
Students who have previous knowledge of Spanish will be given placement test upon request.
Costs: XXXXXXXXXXXX