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 PROGRAM
COMPONENTS
All of the Intensive Spanish
Programs that we offer at UNIVERSAL consist of the following
components:
GRAMMAR:
Mastery of grammatical structure through exercises from the
UNIVERSAL textbooks, written by UNIVERSAL faculty along with
supplementary exercises from the following textbooks:
- ESPAÑOL UNIVERSAL 1, 2 and 3 (Ediciones
UNIVERSAL A.C., México, 1996, 2000, 2006)
- DOS MUNDOS: A Communicative Approach (Random
House, New York)
- MODERN SPANISH GRAMMAR, A Practical Guide
(Juan Kattan-Ibarra and Christopher J. aaPountain).
CONVERSATION:
Development of speaking ability through discussions based
upon assigned readings such as news articles or short stories,
as well as timely discussions addressing politics, history,
culture, and so on.
READING
COMPREHENSION: Acquisition of greater facility in
reading comprehension through assigned readings from a variety
of sources, dependent upon the class level. Readings are designed
not only to improve fluency, but also to broaden the student’s
knowledge of Mexican and Latin American writers and literature.
COMPOSITION:
Development of vocabulary and written ability through the
use of directed composition, specialized and idiomatic vocabulary,
dictations, and other exercises.
OPTIONAL
LECTURES: Our optional lecture series allows the
student to improve comprehension and listening skills of more
formal Spanish, and provides concise introductions to many
different aspects of Mexican culture. Lectures are offered
by the UNIVERSAL instructors, or by guest lecturers who are
specialists in the particular topic. These lectures include
topics on: history, education, art, socio-political issues,
women´s issues and others.
We offer the following
program options, depending on your skill level, objectives,
and interests:
REGULAR SPANISH
PROGRAM: The Regular Spanish Program is made up of
sixty modules. The complete program can be covered in sixteen
to twenty weeks. A student´s proficiency upon arrival
(as determined by placement test) will determine the student´s
entry point into the module sequence. His or her rate of progress
and time available to stay in the program will determine whether
s/he can finish the entire program and graduate to the advanced-level
program. The objectives of this program are to teach the student
basic grammatical structures, so that s/he can attain fluency
in Spanish conversation.
ADVANCED SPANISH
PROGRAM: This individually-tailored program is for
those who have completed the Regular Spanish Program or who
begin classes with advanced proficiency. The Advanced Program
includes detailed grammatical review, Mexican and Latin American
literature, development of oral and written fluency, improvement
of composition skills, and expansion of vocabulary. The duration
of this course depends on the individual student’s available
time and interests.
TRAVELER’S
SPANISH: This two-to-four week course provides students
with conversational ability in "survival Spanish."
The course includes vocabulary to facilitate activities such
as travel, eating in restaurants, and shopping. Emphasis is
placed on idiomatic expressions and usage particular to Mexico
and Latin America.
SPANISH
FOR PROFESSIONALS: This program is an intensive four-week
course designed particularly for people whose professional
commitments allow them only limited time to acquire a working
knowledge of Spanish, but who require some Spanish ability
in their employment. In addition to intensive grammatical
study, students learn the practical vocabulary that they need
within their professions. Role-playing, specialized professional
texts, and other pertinent exercises maximize the student’s
technical fluency. The course is designed for, but not exclusive
to, professionals in the fields of business, diplomacy, law,
medicine, religion, and social work.
INSTITUTIONS:
We have ongoing programs with the following
institutions of higher education, among others: Brethren Colleges
Abroad, PA; The Center for Global Education of Augsburg College,
MN; Elgin Community College, IL; Gettysburg College, PA; Indiana
University at South Bend, IN; Plymouth State University, NH;
Rhode Island College, RI; University of Massachusetts, MA;
McLennan Community College, TX; Roger Williams University,
RI.
    
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