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Program & Admission Information - Guadalajara, Mexico  


 

Programs

Learning is based on the Communicative Approach, without losing sight of the need for grammatical accuracy. Spanish language courses are taught in Spanish and are designed to help students acquire fluency and sufficient communicative skills to cope with any situation that they are likely to encounter. The group sizes are no larger than 15 students. This enables the Center to provide more personalized attention, according to the specific needs of each student, and to encourage more interaction in the classroom. On arrival, students are tested for both written and spoken competence. On the basis of this placement test, they are assigned to the most appropriate level for their own benefit.

Each five week session lasts for 100 hours. The school has morning and afternoon classes, from Monday through Friday.

The Center operates ten levels of Spanish instruction, which are in turn divided into three areas:

  •   Spanish for Beginners: Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4.The program for beginners focuses primarily on verbal expression, vocabulary expansion and listening skills. This approach is supplemented by work on reading texts for information, writing and basic grammar. Beginners can also enroll in supplementary courses Conversation I and Mexican Culture, the latter being the only content course taught in English.

  •   Intermediate Spanish: Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8.The focus in these programs is on developing the grammatical competence needed to maintain both informal conversation and more formal communication, as well as developing sufficient vocabulary for reading and writing purposes. Students who on placement testing demonstrate sufficient competence to study at Level 7 and beyond may also enroll in a variety of supplementary content courses.

  •   Advanced Spanish: Levels 9 and 10.Advanced classes concentrate on total mastery of the language, including reading excerpts from literature, the writing of essays and enhancement of oral expression. Advanced students can enroll in any supplementary or content courses, according to their needs.

Spanish Term

The Spanish Term at the Center consists of 4 hours a day of intensive Spanish and students can enroll in the Short Course, Quarter or Semester programs. Those with an advanced level of the language will receive 2 hours a day of Spanish and one Content Course.

The Spanish Short Course is 5 weeks in duration, 20 or 30 hours per week of Spanish, with 10 to 15 students per class per level.

The Spanish Quarter is 10 weeks in duration, 20 hours per week of Spanish, with 10 to 15 students per class per level

The Spanish Semester is 15 weeks in duration, 20 hours per week of Spanish, with 10 to 15 students per class per level.

Super Intensive Spanish Course

This course consists of 5 hours a day of Spanish classes These are similar to five-week intensive programs in content, but the pace is faster. There are two such programs scheduled each year. Five hours of class per day, resulting in 50 hours per course.

Cultural Workshops
Apart from its academic program, the Center offers the opportunity to participate actively in Mexican culture through creative workshops. They take place twice a week and require a minimum group size of five, except for pottery, which needs 10 students minimum. These workshops are available at additional cost.

  •   Pottery: Hands-on work with clay for the creation of necklaces, rattles, masks and jugs.
  •   Mexican Songs and Guitar Accompaniment: The opportunity to learn and sing the most popular songs and ballads in Mexico.
  •   Folk dancing: Learn the most important traditional dances that date from colonial times.
  •   Contemporary Latin dancing: Learn to dance popular contemporary rhythms such as the cumbia, salsa, merengue and cha cha cha.
  •   Mexican cookery: Learn to combine colors and tastes to produce authentic regional Mexican dishes.

Supplementary Spanish Courses
These courses are available at additional cost:

* Advanced Grammar I and II
This is a course that concentrates on grammar. It reviews all the grammar that students should know up to this level and goes deeper into the analysis of the finer points of grammar. Level 11 and above.

* Grammar for Bilingual Students I and II
The purpose of this course is to enable the student to acquire grammatical terminology and knowledge of how the language functions. These students may have acquired the language in a natural setting, but lack formal analysis of it. This is what this program aims to provide.

* Conversation I Levels 3 and 4; II Levels 5, 6 and 7; III Levels 8, 9 and 10
The purpose of these courses is to develop students' ability in both oral and listening skills, as well as expanding their vocabulary. Such studies can help them enhance their daily communication skills, and develop a greater cultural and communicative competence.

* Written Spanish I
This program takes the form of a workshop and is adapted to the needs of the students. Entry level requires an advanced knowledge of Spanish grammar. The purpose of the program is to enable students to achieve a high level of written expression in Spanish, which in turn may assist them in communicating better in the language. Levels 7 to 10 are eligible for this program.

* Written Spanish II
In this course, the students develop their capacity to write in Spanish. Theory is linked to practice in the process of creating with words. Level 11 and above.

* Writing for Bilingual Students I and II
The purpose of this course is to allow the student to perfect his/her written Spanish, with emphasis on spelling, expression and style, so as to achieve a better command of the language for communication purposes.

Content Courses

These courses are available for those who demonstrate ability to understand spoken Spanish to an advanced level (levels 7 and up) and are available at additional cost. The courses vary according to the time of year students are attending classes. A group can be started according to demand if there is a minimum of five students. Some of the courses available are the following:

* Contemporary Mexican Literature
This course first considers modern works such as Yañez' "Al filo del agua" and "Pedro Paramo" by Rulfo, and then looks at outstanding authors of the present day such as Laura Esquivel and her novel, "Like Water for Chocolate".

* Latin American Literature
The course covers the most representative writers, such as Benedetti, Guimaraes, Jorge de Lima, Cardenal, Lezanma and writers who have made outstanding contributions to literature.

* Hispanic American Literature:
This covers the most distinguished modern writers, such as Garcia Marquez, Vargas Llosa, Borges, Guillen and many other classic writers.

* General History of Mexico I (Up to 1872)
This course will give a general history of prehispanic and colonial Mexico, as well as Mexico after independence, seen from the point of view of history, society, economics and politics.

* General History of Mexico II (Contemporary)
This course will look at Mexico from the age of Porfirio Diaz (1872-1911), focusing on the principal changes in the country's economic, political and social structure during the twentieth century.

* History of Relations Between Mexico and the United States
This course traces the history of Mexico and the United States, observing over time not only the changing relationship, but also the need of both nations to maintain mutual respect, despite the considerable commercial, political, territorial and social problems that have arisen since 1825.

* Economic and Political History of Mexico (1880-1994)
This course aims to give the student a global view of Mexico's recent economic and political history.

* Economic and Political History of Latin America:
The evolution of Latin American states is traced from the period of independence to the present day. Focus is given to the development of an inter-American system and the most significant events, political, economic, social and cultural, that have determined international relations.

* The Mexican Political System
The historic development of the political system is analyzed against the changing background of the country's social and economic structure, with emphasis on the current transition towards democracy, as well as the role played by forces that influence this change of political regime.

* Mexico and International Trade
This course gives students insights into the risks and opportunities afforded to Mexico by the opening up of international markets. It reviews the history of commerce in Mexico and looks at the implications for the current commercial scene.

* International Trade
The content of this course is the significance of foreign trade, basic exports and imports, and models for international negotiation. It affords the student a glimpse of trans-cultural cooperation and mutual understanding.

* Mexican Culture
The student is given a historical tour from prehispanic times to the present day, with focus on significant examples of Mexican culture, including its traditions, art, architecture, music and folklore.

* History of Mexican Art
A historical tour of Mexican art from prehispanic times, through the colonial period, the nineteenth century, muralism and the principle artistic trends of the twentieth century.

* Mexican Civilization and Culture: The Development of the Modern Nation
Students following this course will receive a panoramic view of the various stages through which Mexican civilization has passed from indigenous cultures to the modern state.

* Prehispanic Cultures: Culture, Society and Myth
The course describes a number of prehispanic cultures and attempts to present the indigenous world-view, through an analysis of their myths.

* Mass Media in Mexico
An examination of current models of mass media in Mexico, especially radio, television and the press.

* Mexican Cinema
This course analyses the history of Mexican films against the social and political background of the country.

* Mexican Culture
This is the only course taught entirely in English. It is intended to help students gain insight into their experience of living in Mexico by focusing attention on the most relevant cultural aspects.


Regular Courses at the Campus
Foreign students may enroll through the Center to attend courses at the Humanities and Social Sciences and at the Economic and Administrative Sciences University Campuses for a minimum of one full semester and a maximum of two semesters.

To qualify for admission students must :
1) Study at Guadalajara University for ten weeks minimum and complete satisfactorily 200 hours of classes.
2) Take the Guadalajara University placement test and qualify for an advanced level of Spanish.
3) Be enrolled in a University program at the home institution

A letter of certification will be issued at the end of each semester. To accredit these courses, authorization from the home institution must be required in advance.

Here are some of the majors offered at the University Campuses:

* Sociology
* Law
* Philosophy
* Hispanic Literature
* History
* Business Administration
* Labor Relations
* Economics
* Tourism

Day - At - A - Glance

08:30 - 10:30, M-F Spanish or Elective
11:00 - 13:00, M-F Spanish or Elective
13:00 - 14:30, M, W Workshop
17:00 - 18:00, T, Th Conversation Club

* Day-At-A-Glance is a sample day and will vary depending on enrollment, time of year, lodging, etc. It is designed to show content rather than precise scheduling


Services for Students

Movie Club/ Book presentation/ConferencesThe Movie Club program schedules throughout the year the best movies in the Spanish-speaking world. Included in the thematic cycles is the prestigious Guadalajara International Film

Festival each Spring. Book presentations from renowned international authors and selected conferences of university curricular value are organized.

Multimedia language labThe University of Guadalajara is the only Spanish language school in Mexico to have a multimedia language lab. In this laboratory students work under the supervision of their professor who elaborates controlled-practice exercises according to the material presented in class.

In each practice, the professor presents new linguistic topics and promotes team work. This activity not only stimulates the reading comprehension skills and linguistic content, but also promotes oral interaction. This laboratory is also used to give special courses and seminars that require simultaneous translation, remote-location conferences, etc.

Computer room Students. have access to computers and for a modest charge can use word processing facilities and have their own personal E-Mail account.

Medical Service Students. will enjoy of free medical consultation in the event of an accident or illness.

Immigration.. For those foreigners that wish to study at University of Guadalajara there are two types of visas to enter Mexico: tourist or student. Please call the nearest Mexican consulate or embassy for more specific information. Once at Guadalajara, please visit the Student Services Coordinator to receive any assistance required.

Student ID Card . Once enrolled, students will receive an identification card that can be used for a number of purposes within the University, including access to libraries, discounts in cinemas, theaters, gyms and on long-distance bus routes.

Cafeteria. This provides breakfast, lunch, snacks and goodies.

Friendship program. This program can enable foreign students to get to know Mexican students so as to practice Spanish and participate in cultural exchange.

Foreign currency exchange. We offers its services to change foreign currency or travelers' checks, on two days of the week, without charging a special commission.

Shop Our shop. sells tee-shirts, souvenirs, phone cards, pencils, pens, maps, stamps, as well as providing a photocopying service and mail box.

Tourist information. Up-to-date tourist information is provided on what to do, how, when and where in the city of Guadalajara and surrounding areas.

Wireless (Wi-Fi). Patio Students can bring their own laptop with wi-fi options. Wi-Fi connection is free of charge.

 

Admissions & Academic Credit

University of Guadalajara Foreign Student Studies Center welcomes students age 18 years and older regardless of educational background, occupation or nationality. No previous knowledge of Spanish is required except where otherwise indicated. Please take 4 photos (1 1/2" x 2") with your to give to the school on the first day.

Students desiring credit for their study at UG should contact their home school or request the NRCSA Credit Fact Sheet. Generally, U.S. universities consider 15 hours of study to be equal to 1 semester credit.

For more information about academic credit in Spanish speaking countries, please click here.
For general information on academic credit, please click here.

 
Program Overview (PDF)

Spanish Term
Cultural Workshops
Supplementary Spanish Courses
Content Courses
Regular Courses at the Campus

Admissions & Academic Credit

Excursions

 
 

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