Types of Programs in Spain

Note that all of the Spanish programs listed in StudyAbroadinSpain.com are open enrollment programs – anybody can participate in them. Enrollment is open to teens, students, and adults. Enrollment is direct – you enroll directly at the Spanish university or Spanish language school that you are interested in. You do not have to be enrolled in a US university or be a degree-seeking student to enroll, unless otherwise noted.

Spanish Language Programs

Spanish language programs typically consist of 20 classes of Spanish per week. In a month-long Spanish course you will complete 80 classes of Spanish. In almost all Spanish universities and Spanish schools you will have 4 Spanish classes per day, Monday to Friday, though some schools and universities offer their courses. You will practice Spanish conversation, writing, reading, listening comprehension and vocabulary building in the classes. Teachers often use materials and topics in class that will expose you to Spanish culture, society, and thought.

Most Spanish language programs are intensive language or immersion programs and consist of 20 hours per week, though some Spanish schools and Spanish universities may offer courses consisting of 15 hours per week or 25 hours per week (and still refer to the courses by the same name).

Spanish Language and Culture Courses

Spanish language and culture courses, like the Spanish language courses, cover Spanish conversation, reading, listening, and grammar. In addition, however, students take an extra class or two of Spanish culture, such as the History of Spain, Spanish Literature, Spanish society and the like.

Spanish Culture Courses

Some Spanish universities and Spanish schools offer Spanish Culture Courses that are geared towards students with an intermediate to advanced level of Spanish. You can think of this type of Spanish course as a “Spanish Studies” program. The focus is on Spain, its history, literature, society, art, politics, and society. The primary goal is to bestow upon participants a deeper knowledge of Spain and Spanish society. An equally important goal of the Spanish Culture Course is to enable students to continue to improve their Spanish and progress towards high intermediate and advanced Spanish. Students not only learn about Spain, its history, art, etc., but also significantly improve their Spanish vocabulary and knowledge of idiomatic expressions as they complete their coursework.

University Integration Programs

A University Integration Program is especially for students with upper intermediate to advanced Spanish language skills who wish to integrate themselves fully into a Spanish university. Students enroll directly in regular classes with Spanish students and take between 12 – 15 credits of classes at a Spanish university. You can study abroad in Spain for a semester or an academic year.

Modular Program

A modular program allows students who are studying Spanish to add courses in business, Spanish culture, and other subjects to their study program. Students take required Spanish language courses and then add 1, 2, or 3 elective courses, enabling participants in the program to customize their study program. Some courses in modular programs are taught in English (particularly business courses).

Visiting Student Program

A visiting student program allows students to take courses similar to those they are taking at their home university. So, if you are majoring in advertising or public relations at your home university, you could enroll in the visiting student program of a Spanish university and take their advertising or public relations courses (but you wouldn’t be allowed to take engineering or chemistry courses).