Spanish Language and Culture Program (SLCP)

This course delves into the transformation of the Spanish language from its Latin roots, emphasizing the influence of other languages and key historical periods. Students will trace the etymology of significant terms, analyze historical texts, and investigate the language's evolution across different eras. The course also examines the major historical, social and cultural forces shaping modern Spain and Latin America, highlighting the intersection of linguistic and historical developments. Through these explorations, students will develop educational materials that incorporate authentic historical texts into Spanish language instruction, deepening their understanding of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Hispanic world.

This course examines Spain's rich artistic and cultural expressions from the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will explore vital artistic styles, significant musical works and notable films, contextualizing them within their historical and geographical frameworks. The course emphasizes visible and less visible cultural manifestations, including attitudes, lifestyles and popular traditions such as festivals. Additionally, students will develop educational materials to effectively present these cultural elements in Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) classrooms, enhancing appreciation for the diversity and heritage of the Spanish-speaking world. This course is taught in Salamanca.

This course invites students to engage critically with Spanish literature by writing reflective texts that analyze various literary works. Students will utilize Spanish and Latin American literary, journalistic and digital texts as valuable sources of information to explore the language, ideology, and historical, social, and cultural contexts of their authors. Students will learn to apply key interpretive techniques and methods for conducting analyses, critical commentaries, and reviews of literary works. The course emphasizes the importance of locating necessary reference sources for analyzing Spanish texts across various periods and authors. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the different stages in the development of Spanish and Latin-American literature, fostering a deeper appreciation for its richness and diversity.

This course aims to help students develop the skills necessary to teach Spanish grammar as a foreign language. This course will also equip students with the proper terminology and concepts of Spanish grammar to become better teachers.

This course focuses on the design of teaching and learning activities for Spanish grammar using various methodological approaches. Students will learn to identify and utilize appropriate reference sources to address gaps in rule application. The course also emphasizes the importance of selecting and presenting grammatical rules effectively. In addition, students will learn how to use authentic texts for classroom development and create original materials for practicing specific aspects of Spanish grammar, enhancing their ability to teach Spanish in diverse educational settings. This course is taught in Salamanca.

This course focuses on critically examining variation in the Spanish language, encouraging students to write reflective texts on the subject. Participants will develop a concrete proposal for a Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) class, demonstrating linguistic proficiency and pedagogical expertise while adhering to specific parameters. The course will also emphasize creating teaching materials incorporating examples of geographical and sociolinguistic variation. Additionally, students will identify challenges in establishing patterns for the diverse uses of Spanish in the Spanish-speaking world, addressing diatopic, diaphasic and diastratic variations. Through these activities, students will enhance their understanding of the complexities of Spanish language variation, their awareness of the scope of Spanish in the world, and its implications for language teaching.

This course provides a comprehensive approach to qualitative and quantitative research methods, focusing on practical application in professional contexts. Students will develop skills in designing and conducting research projects, selecting the most appropriate data collection and analysis techniques, and addressing ethical considerations in research. Emphasis is placed on analyzing data to draw meaningful conclusions and effectively communicating findings that answer research questions. Additionally, students will explore how applied research contributes to professional growth and decision-making, preparing them to integrate research skills into their careers. This course is taught in Salamanca.

This course equips students with theoretical and practical tools for teaching Spanish pronunciation, writing and other normative aspects of the language. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of oral and written standards and rules across Spanish-speaking countries, focusing on mastering spelling and punctuation based on the current pan-Hispanic orthographic standards (1999, 2005, 2010). Through analysis and practice with real-world materials, students will refine their oral, listening and writing skills in alignment with Spanish linguistic norms. Additionally, students will learn how to effectively select and present appropriate grammatical rules to different target audiences. The course emphasizes the development of custom teaching materials for classroom use, focusing on concrete aspects of Spanish norms. This course is taught in Salamanca.

This course focuses on mastering the skills necessary to conduct applied research. Students will learn to effectively gather and analyze information to formulate research projects that address real-world issues. The course emphasizes the proficient use of scholarly sources, equipping students with the tools to navigate academic literature confidently. Additionally, students will refine their academic writing skills, ensuring they can express their ideas clearly and correctly while adhering to appropriate academic conventions. Through a combination of theoretical foundations and practical applications, students will prepare to produce high-quality research that meets the standards of scholarly excellence.