GENERAL INFORMATION

Intensity: 60 HOURS 

Module 1:  30 hours        
Module 2:  30 hours           

Schedule:  From Monday to Friday:     
Morning:       9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Afternoon:    2:00 p.m.  -  4:00 p.m. 

Place: University of Ibagué - Language Centre 
 

JUSTIFICATION

Nowadays, languages are a basic tool to achieve the expansion of intercultural, social, political and economic boundaries among the different nations all over the world.

Spanish is one of the most spoken languages in Europe and America after English. Hispanic speakers started being part of a competent market in the world of languages.  Colombia has the reputation of having one of the best accents among other countries where Spanish is the first language, that is why many people choose Colombia to learn Spanish or to improve it.     
     
As it is mentioned above, The Language Centre of the University of Ibagué offers Spanish courses for foreigners in July of 2007. This course consists of 60 hours developed in two modules of 30 hours each. It is an intensive course of 4 hours per day. Each module contains the necessary vocabulary and the basic and intermediate grammar. In many ways, you can get progressively involved in communicating activities starting from interactive situations presented by authentic texts, writings and speeches which are supplemented with activities in the classroom to create an outstanding atmosphere.  

 GENERAL OBJECTIVE

To provide foreigners and people interested in learning Spanish with the suitable language and atmosphere for a successful communication or to improve their current level through this course.
 

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 
 
1. To develop communicative activities by means of simple conversations in real situations. 
2. To reinforce the use of grammatical structures through writing exercises. 
3. To read and understand texts related to our culture. 
4. To use expressions and basic terms through oral and written communication. 
   
This course is offered to foreign students who come from exchange programs and any other persons who want to improve their level of Spanish as a foreign language. 
 

METHODOLOGY 

The classes are developed within a dynamic and communicative environment. The acquired knowledge will be applied keeping in mind the basic abilities to learn a language such as: listening, understanding, speaking, and writing. Each student will obtain the necessary feedback in each session. They will have in each class a special guide to follow and to develop. Such resources will facilitate Spanish learning through informal chats, directed or spontaneous dialogues, description games, development of written exercises, listening to texts and use of websites. Also, the students have the opportunity to practice the language in each one of the different activities inside and outside the classroom.
 

CONTENTS

The course involves vocabulary about the family, home, body, clothes, food, places, daily routines and basic grammar as prepositions, time expressions, most common and useful verbs in present, past and future tenses of the indicative and subjunctive mode. Besides, there are the morphological and syntactical knowledge about making words and sentences with the appropriate functions of articles, nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs. All of this is given through contextualization from Colombian mythology, folklore and literature texts.

 
EVALUATION 

The evaluation is a continuous process, assessed qualitatively and quantitatively according to the student individual abilities and the use of language progress reflected on their oral and written performance. In addition, their responsibility and adoption of strategies and resources guided and given by the tutor will be also considered in their grades.

The percentages for the evaluation will be distributed as follows: 
First module:  Oral Quiz 10%  - Written quiz   10%  - Class performance 10% 
Second module: Oral exam 25%  - Written exam   25% - Class performance 10% 

   CERTIFICATE 
 
The Language Centre of the university of Ibagué will be pleased to give a  certification to the foreigners who  have been enrolled and attended our  Spanish course  in summer holidays.  

  INSTRUCTORS

The course will be directed by the graduated Adriana Campos and Francisco Javier Saavedra Arango, professors of the Language Centre .

COMPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES 

The participation in cultural activities is a complement for the Spanish lessons because they contribute to a bigger immersion in our language and culture.  Therefore, the   students will have the chance to attend to concerts, to learn how to dance Latin music or how to play local instruments.

OPTIONAL LOCAL TOURS: 
 
1. Combeima Canyon. 
2. Cañasgordas  Sport Centre 
3. Ecological walking through the botanical garden “Santafé de los Guaduales". 
4. Other possible tours:  

National Park of the Coffee (Armenia, Quindío)

COSTS

Costs based on a three weeks stay ( 6- 27 July)
Spanish - Language Course                                           + $ US 200
Cultural activities (optional)                                            + $ US  80
Local tours (optional)                                                    + $ US  40
Weekend Excursion           (optional)                              + $ US 150
Accomodation with a family (breakfast included)               + $ US 120
Additional meal costs                                                     + $ US 100

Note: The prices in US Dollars depend on the Colombian currency at that time.

REGISTRATION: On line. centrodeidiomas@unibague.edu.co

PAYMENT: Students can pay at Universidad de Ibagué when they arrive.