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Orientation courses

Given by the University of Salamanca Cursos Internacionales department, classes at all levels are conducted in Spanish by University professors. AIFS participants attend classes with international students in a diverse, multicultural environment. Four main language levels (elementary to superior) are further subdivided to accommodate varying skills. A placement exam after arrival determines appropriate levels. Classes meet 50 hours (3 credits) during orientation, including: 20 hours of Spanish grammar, 10 hours of Spanish conversation and composition, 10 hours of Spanish culture and 10 hours of Spanish art.

Semester courses

Elementary level program

For students with little or no previous Spanish knowledge who wish to accelerate the process of language development through immersion. Offered only in the fall, this program is prepared and given by Cursos Internacionales of the University of Salamanca. The classes are composed of a mixture of students from all over the world and instruction will be given entirely in Spanish. This method of teaching foreign languages has been proven immensely effective.

Courses Taught in English

Elementary Level students may opt to take the following courses taught in English if there are no scheduling conflicts.

Intermediate and advanced levels

In fall semester, students at the intermediate and advanced level may choose the Modular Program or the Spanish Language and Culture Program. Both are organized by Cursos Internacionales of the University of Salamanca. In the spring, intermediate and advanced students enroll in the Modular Program. Advanced students in either semester may choose to combine these courses with Superior Level courses if approved by the AIFS Academic Coordinator.

Modular Program

Cursos Internacionales of the University of Salamanca prepares the Modular Program for students at the intermediate and advanced level. Levels will be determined by a university placement exam. This program offers a wide variety of courses for international students to choose from. All classes are taught by university professors in Spanish unless otherwise indicated (four are given in English). The class environment is global which provides cultural diversity. Spanish students do not take these courses but the Cursos Internacionales classrooms are in the center of the university, close to the Translation and the Language Department. The University requires a minimum enrollment of 10 students for a class to open.

Advanced students, with approval of the AIFS Academic Coordinator, may choose to combine these classes with a superior level course or two as electives but will need to be flexible in course choice in order to avoid scheduling conflicts. Permission to enroll in superior level classes can only be granted once on campus after an interview.

Spanish Language and Culture Course (fall only)

In fall semester students at the intermediate or advanced level may choose to integrate into the Spanish Language and Culture Program at Cursos Internacionales of the University of Salamanca. This program was especially designed to teach Spanish as a second language to foreigners from all over the world so the environment is diverse and multicultural. All classes are taught in Spanish by university professors. Students are required to take a 6 credit grammar course (Spanish 311, 321 or 405) and a maximum of 9 credits in electives.

Advanced students, with approval of the AIFS Academic Coordinator, may choose to take a superior level course or two as electives but will need to be flexible in course choice in order to avoid scheduling conflicts. Permission to enroll in superior level classes can only be granted once on campus after an interview.

Please note that courses in the same section are offered at the same time. Only one course may be chosen from each block. A placement test given by the University will determine students’ grammar course level.

Superior level

IMPORTANT! Superior level will be determined after the placement test. You should choose alternate courses in case you do not place into the superior level.

AIFS students with excellent written and oral command of Spanish attend regular University lecture courses with Spanish students. Because the academic environment and teaching methods are so different, the AIFS Academic Coordinator counsels and guides AIFS students.

Although these University courses run on a different semester calendar, fall students may take an early exam to comply with the AIFS calendar. However, spring semester students who choose to take superior level courses are required by the University to stay until the end of May to take their exam. AIFS housing in homestays is included until the end of May. Students housed in the student residence however, will incur extra expenses to stay the necessary extra days. Superior level courses can be combined with the intermediate and advanced level programs. Flexibility is essential, as courses frequently change and scheduling conflicts may be encountered. Courses may be offered either semester, but the confirmed list is available only at the start of each semester. Selections can be approved only after arrival. Some courses have prerequisites.

If the Spanish 417 does not open, superior level students will be required to take Spanish 403 in its place.

These courses are samples from the University’s 30 specialty areas:

Art
Contemporary Spanish Art, Spanish Romanesque and Gothic Art, Spanish Art in the Golden Ages, Video, Art History: prehistory to Middle Ages, History of Art: Renaissance to 20th Century

Economics
Economy in the European Community, Spanish and World Economy, Latin American Economy, Economic Foundations, Fundaments of Commercialization, History of Economy I, International Economy, Business History, Economic History of Spain

History and Politics
Social Movements in Contemporary Spain, Contemporary History of Spain, Modern History of Spain, Women in Contemporary History, Society and Conflict in Spain: Second Republic and Francoism, Peninsular Islam, Pre-Hispanic and Indian America, Politics and Society in Latin America, History of Spain through Art, Contemporary History, Politics in Contemporary Spain, History of Spanish Music, History of the European Integration, History of Music, History of Sexuality, Social Politics, History of America, Contemporary Political Ideologies, Politics of the Economic Development of Latin America, Contemporary Comparative Social Politics, Contemporary Politics and International Relations

Languages
I, II and III levels in French, German, Arabic, Russian, Japanese, Portuguese, Italian and Chinese (Note: Chinese is offered as a full-year course.)

Linguistics
Varieties of Spanish, History of the Spanish Language, The Spanish Rule, Spanish Morphosyntax, Spanish Phonology and Phonetics, General Linguistics, Lexical Competence, Sociolinguistics, Spanish Language in Communications, Spanish of Latin America, Applied Linguistics, History of Spanish Linguistics

Teaching of Spanish
Practical Spanish Grammar, Methodology for Teaching Spanish, Teaching Spanish as a Second Language, Grammar for the teaching of Spanish as a Second Language

Spanish Literature
20th Century Literature, Spanish Theater, Introduction to Spanish Poetry, Introduction to Spanish Novel, General Literature of Spain, Medieval Literature, Golden Age Literature, 18th and 19th Century Literature, Introduction to Spanish Poetry

Hispano-American Literature
20th Century Hispano-American Literature, Colonial Hispano- American Literature, 19th Century Hispano-American Literature, Hispano-American Poetry of the 20th Century, Hispano-American Literature of the Golden Age

Other Literature
English and North American Literature, French Literature, German Literature, Portuguese Literature, Italian Literature, Ancient Christianism and its literature, History of English Literature

Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology
Psychological Anthropology, Social Anthropology, Anthropology and Folklore, Anthropology of Ibero American Culture, Arabic Thinking, Psychology of Memory, Sociology of Communication and Culture, Sociology of Organizations, Political Sociology, Hispano-Hebrew Culture, Hispano-Arabic Culture, Cultural Studies of Great Britain, Cultural Studies of the USA

The following are examples of some of the most popular superior level courses with AIFS students:

Honors Program

This program is open to students in good standing with a 3.0 minimum GPA and an excellent command of the Spanish language. Acceptance into the Honors Program will be determined by a University of Salamanca placement test and an interview with the AIFS Academic Coordinator once on campus. No guarantee of acceptance is given in advance. Students who do not meet the language requirement will be placed into the standard semester course offered in the regular AIFS program at the University.

Superior Level Concentrations

Part of the Superior Level (University courses). AIFS offers concentrations for bilingual students: The Teaching of Spanish as a Second Language or, with the approval of the AIFS Academic Coordinator, a concentration of your choice in Economy, Literature, History, Political Science, Art History, etc. Students should first consult with the appropriate AIFS Admissions Officer for details.