Degree in Spanish Professional Studies

Transcription

1 Degree in Spanish Professional Studies Five Academic Semesters to Obtain a Professional Degree PROGRAM DESCRIPTION This two year program is aimed for students who are willing to follow professional studies, enrolling in Professional Training Centers. The program gives the students the opportunity to be totally immersed in a Spanish speaking environment. Students will improve their language skills through an Intensive Spanish language course. They also have the opportunity to improve their language skills working in a Community Language Project during the first semester through exploration and interviews, language exchange, round tables and university events, as well as homestay to introduce participants in the community. The following four academic semesters, students join the Professional Training Centers to follow a full degree professional program. The professional degree includes 2000 teaching hours plus four month internship, elaboration and presentation of individual project. 1

2 MAIN OBJECTIVES To engage in community exploration and research, improving their language proficiency and understanding of present Spanish society, while making positive interactions, enhancing their interest, knowledge, and skills to become a more sensitive global citizen To follow professional degree studies in Spanish training centers ACADEMIC COMPONENTS First Semester SPANISH INTENSIVE LANGUAGE STUDY (400 class hours) - European Language Grading System A1 to C1 (Beginner to Low advanced) The language program includes an intensive semester: 360 hours of teaching, that will bring students to a functional level of Spanish to follow regular class content. A second component of language study: 160 hours. during the first year and second year to prepare students for the Cervantes exam. The course is divided into two main components: a function-based segment, dealing with the most rigorous grammatical structure of the language, and a content based segment, which deals with the thematic field based learning of the language: learning specific vocabulary, including written and oral work for their Community Language Project. Formal sessions focus on linking classroom instruction with informal language learning that takes place in and out of the classroom, through on-site presentations, the extended homestay experience and daily functioning in the host culture. Instruction is in the host language, which is amplified and reinforced through mass media, information shared orally among the students, review of material presented previously, outside coursework, and assigned reinforcement exercises on a daily basis. Instructional methods are enriched through the use of linguistic and cultural resources available in the community. These exercises are both formal (written) and informal (interviews with native informants and oral presentations) and usually require an 2

3 average of at least 2 hours of daily work outside the classroom. Through a combination of these approaches the participants of this program acquire high linguistic and intercultural competence. Language class content will also include information about Spanish Higher Education system and learn about information and paperwork required to register in a Spanish Professional Center, and will provide support to achieve successful enrollment into a Spanish Professional Studies Center. COMMUNITY LANGUAGE PROJECT (60 class hours) The Community Language Project (CLP) will enable students to get first-hand experience through participation in academic and individual activities in the community: discussion groups, language exchange, observations, interviews, etc. Students will decide on a theme of their choice that best suits their skills, interests and language competency. The Community Language Project demands equal amounts of effort and organization on the students part to successfully complete such a project. The field project includes class sessions, to discuss intercultural issues, and do reflective writing to foster in depth analysis and acculturation of participants. Teachers guide students in the elaboration of a final report of findings presented in a 8-12 page paper written in Spanish at the end of the semesters, as well as a 20 minutes oral presentation. RELATED LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES Arab-Andalusia cultural-historical legacy and impact with a visit to the Alhambra The Albayzin neighborhood and the Muslim immigration A visit to Federico Garcia Lorca home-museum in Fuentevaqueros, to explore Lorca s contribution to Spanish Literature Flamenco Dance music concert Film debates Guided Study groups with Spanish students Round tables with Spanish students Exploration of professional studies centers 3

4 Degree Program at Professional Training Center (2000 hours) Academic Year 1 Academic Year 2 32 weeks of classes, 5 day a week, 6 hour a day 22 weeks, same schedule, plus 4-month internship ACADEMIC CONTENT The content of these programs is divided into self-contained modules, covering, the technical areas with in depth practice and theory sessions. They also receive equipment training, and business basics to increase students management skills to operate professionally in their field of expertise. Sample content from Professional Degree on Electro-technical Installations : Techniques and processes in electrical installations in medium and low voltage Techniques and processes in singular installations in buildings Techniques and processes in automated installations in buildings Management of development of electrical installations Administration, management and marketing in small business Technical Computing Development of electrical installations in buildings 4

5 Developing electricity distribution facilities Relations in the Work Environment Quality Safety in electrical installations Training and Employment Guidance Spanish as a Second Language INTERNSHIP AND PRACTICUM PROJECT Practicum in a company directly related to the field of expertise. Students take full participation in the production or management process involved, taking responsibilities for tasks and work assigned by the internship supervisor. Throughout the practicum period, students work on an individual professional project that will be presented in an oral and written form. Students will be guided by a project advisor. Final project presentations and individual and group evaluation PROGRAM COMPONENTS Full Immersion Intensive Language level achieved: C1 520 Hours of Intensive Spanish, including Community Language project 5

6 2000 hours of Degree Program Contents in Training Centers Specialized equipment training 4-month internship Final Practicum report PROGRAM ORIENTATION Cross-cultural, health and safety, conditions of participation, program logistics and requirements, tools for immersion in another culture, academic and personal expectations, evaluation methods and criteria are conducted by the Program Coordinator during the first weeks of the program. EVALUATION The program covers language course evaluation: oral and written presentation of the Community Language Projects, and synthesis of the Language program. The Professional Studies include written exams, papers and evaluation of internship and final project. 6