The University of Guanajuato ProgramBest suited for… The University of Guanajuato (ugto)Founded in 1732 as an "academy of the state," the University of Guanajuato has undergone three centuries of institutional transformation and has a student body of nearly 26,000 students enrolled in programs ranging from high school to the doctorate levels. By placing the values of truth, knowledge and human decency at the core of its mission statement, the University commits itself to promoting the educational, social and cultural well-being of its students and surrounding community. Beyond the classroom, the University makes efforts to connect its students to the broader world of art, music, literature, and film. In the annual university-sponsored Festival Cervantino, people from all over the world come to view international works of art, attend concerts by famous musicians, and view insightful documentaries. The Language School's Spanish ProgramsThe Language School is an extension of the University and has been operating since 1976. Its main function is to provide academic services to students wishing to study other languages. There are currently 2,000 students studying 9 different languages, including English, French, German, Russian, Japanese, Italian, Greek, Latin and Spanish. Foreign students have the opportunity to learn Spanish and acquire knowledge of Mexican and Latin American culture. Effective teaching methodology is used, offering a completely integrated program of instruction. Spanish classes are complemented with arts and crafts workshops and Mexican folk dance. 
The University of Guanajuato offers three programs:
The summer program is offered during two 4-week summer sessions, usually beginning the first Monday of June and July. Applicants will be given a written and oral placement exam to determine their level. Course Structure and DescriptionCourses are offered at three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced.SPANISH - Intensive practice in spoken and written Spanish, highlighting vocabulary, morphology forms, and complex syntactic structures. Beginners: 58 hrs; Intermediate and Advanced: 40 hrs. MEXICAN HISTORY - A comprehensive survey of the history of Mexico from the Colonial period to the present time. Intermediate and Advanced students only. 18 hrs. MEXICAN LITERATURE - A historical view of Mexican literature dating from Pre-Hispanic to Contemporary. Intermediate and Advanced students only. 18 hrs. READING - A comprehensive look at relevant reading for beginners. 18 hrs. MEXICAN ART HISTORY - An examination of the important periods of Mexican Art: Precolombian, Colonial and Modern. Intermediate and Advanced students only. 8 hrs. INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE OF MEXICO - Seminars of political, economic, cultural and social affairs of contemporary México. All levels. 4 hrs. HANDICRAFTS - Creative local Guanajuatense arts and crafts. (This class is optional costs extra.) 8 hrs. COOKING – Preparation of typical Mexican dishes. (This class is optional and costs extra.) 8 hrs. FOLK DANCE - A practical approach to learning traditional Mexican dances, such as salsa, meringue, rumba, cha-cha-cha, etc. (Optional) 8 hrs. Social and Cultural ActivitiesTo enhance classroom experience, there are two optional excursions offer by the Language School for an additional charge. These visits will enrich your knowledge of Mexico’s culture and history. Excursions require minimum number of participants to open.
This is a very personalized 4-week intensive Spanish immersion program offered August through May. This program only admits a total of 5 persons per monthly program in order to ensure personalized attention. Applicants will be given a written and oral placement exam to determine their level.
Course StructureBeginnersGrammar - 2 hrs. daily Monday to Friday. Conversation 1 hr. daily Monday to Friday. Reading 1 hr. daily Monday to Friday. Mexican Folk Dance - 2 hrs. Mon. & Tue. eves. Intermediate and AdvancedGrammar - 1 hr. daily Monday to Friday.Conversation - 1 hr. daily Monday to Friday. History - 1 hr. daily Monday to Thursday. Literature - 1 hr. daily Monday to Thursday. Mexican Folk Dance Classes – 2 hrs. Mondays and Tuesdays.
During the academic year there are two semester courses, a Fall semester lasting from early August to mid December, and a Spring semester lasting from late January to early June. Each semester lasts approximately 16 weeks. There are 6 levels of Spanish offered. Applicants will be given a written and oral placement exam to determine their level.
Course StructureGrammar- 1 hr. daily Monday through Friday.Grammar for Chicanos – 1 hr. daily on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. (upon request) Conversation Class - 1 hr. daily Monday through Friday. History Workshop - 1 hr. 4 times a week. Literature Workshop - 1 hr. 4 days a week. Reading Workshop - 1 hr. 4 days a week. Seminar – 1.5 hrs. once a week Mexican Folk Dance - 2 hrs. on Monday and Tuesday evenings. (optional) *Please note that the literature and history workshops are for levels 3, 4, 5, and 6 ONLY. |
