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Programs & Activities - San Juan, Puerto Rico
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A Communicative Approach is used for teaching Spanish. The focus of your studies is on learning to communicate in meaningful contexts (real-life situations). To accomplish this instructors setup role-playing exercises which focus on promoting communication and practicing all four language learning skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
In every class, students move from what they already know in structured practices, to less-structured and finally open activities. This process ensures that students have both knowledge of the grammatical structures and they can master the language in communicative situations. The program also incorporates a multicultural understanding of Latin America, using authentic materials such as books, videos, and music.
Curricular activities are part of the regular learning program that give students the opportunity to use the target language in "real-life" situations. These activities support the language skills learned in the classroom, and allow students to show that they have mastered the material. These activities are conducted in units such as 'In the Restaurant, Going Shopping, Work & Education,' etc.
On the first day of class, students will complete the registration process, be orally evaluated for program placement, and have the opportunity to go over any questions that he/she may have. An Information Packet will be distributed and reviewed during orientation.
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Language levels are broken down into 6 units: introductory 1, introductory 2, basic 1, basic 2, intermediate, advanced. Each curriculum level is organized around central themes that touch upon real-life situations such as: At the Workplace, Leisure Activities, In the Restaurant, Travel & Vacations, etc. Each theme is broken down into functions, grammar and vocabulary.
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Beginner: This curriculum has been designed for individuals with no functional ability in the target language. This course covers a two week period, and then students will move into our regular Introductory curriculum. Students will cover 4-5 functions from a different theme each day. The purpose of this course is to give students a foundation upon which they can begin to communicate at an introductory level.
Introductory: This curriculum has been designed for individuals who have a very limited knowledge of the target language and can express only some memorized words and phrases, using limited grammatical structures. Students generally cover one theme per week. The Introductory curriculum is organized into 8 themes: Introductions; In the Restaurant; The Family & Friends; Daily Activities; Around Town; Going on Vacation; Going Shopping; and Health & Fitness. Within each theme, students will practice all 4 language skills, in order to reinforce the functions at this level. Grammar, vocabulary, key phrases and pronunciation will be incorporated into each unit.
Basic: This curriculum has been designed for those individuals who are capable of using simple structures and have a general, limited vocabulary. The Basic curriculum is written with higher level functions than the Introductory level, which utilizes slightly more complex grammatical structures. Students generally cover 1-2 themes each week, depending upon the ability of the students. The 8 themes are: Meeting & Greeting People; The Family; The Workplace & Leisure Activities; Going on Vacation; Food & Clothing; Entertainment; Health & Fitness; and Today's Society. The focus is on building fluency, starting with what the students already know, and building upon this knowledge to develop full confidence in performing the functions. Grammar, vocabulary, key phrases, pronunciation and culture are incorporated into each unit. Students at the high Basic level may be recommended to cover the Intermediate curriculum based upon ability and need.
Intermediate: This curriculum has been designed for individuals who can already communicate in a variety of contexts and situations, but who need to speak with greater grammatical accuracy, use more difficult vocabulary and phrases, and improve their pronunciation and general fluency to feel confident in their communication skills. Students will be given a theme per week, from the following list, based upon their interests and needs: Education, Work & Leisure Activites; Travel & Vacations; Around Town & Going Shopping; Art, Music & Literature; Daily Activities & Food; Health & Ecology; Customs & Traditions; Problems in Society; Much more culture is incorporated into this program, and comparisons are made between Puerto Rico and the United States, as well as with other Latin countries.
Advanced: This curriculum has been designed for individuals with an almost native-like mastery of the language. Students will have different topics to choose from such as: Origins of the Hispanic Culture; Religion in the Hispanic World; Aspects of the Family in the Hispanic Society; Men and Women in the Hispanic Society; Customs and Beliefs; The Economy of the Hispanic Society; Education in the Hispanic World; and Hispanic Presence in the United States.
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Standard Course
Group 20 hours per week. The course consist of 4 lessons per day within a small group setting, no more than 6 students per class. Course instruction is conducted 5 days per week, From 10:00 to 2:00 There will be a 15 minute break after two hours. If a student ends up to be the only one at their language level, then the class time will be 3 hours instead of 4 hours (M-F 10:00-1:00), with the exception of national and local holidays.
Students will receive their schedule at orientation during the first day. Evaluations will be conducted at the end of each week to track student performance. Textbooks are not included in the cost of the program, but may be purchased or leased for the duration of your program.
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Combination programs of group and private lessons are also available. Please contact NRCSA for more information.
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Tutor Course
15 hours per week. The school also offers a one-on-one Tutor course for those students who want a more intensive program and/or wish to concentrate on a specific area of language or Puerto Rican culture.
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Admissions & Academic Credit
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Students age 18 years and older are welcomed regardless of educational background, occupation or nationality. Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. No previous knowledge of Spanish is required except where otherwise indicated.
Students desiring credit for their study 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.
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For those students who have arranged with their home college or university to receive credits for Spanish study abroad, a letter will be issued stating dates of study, hours completed, progress and level of achievement. Get a letter of instructions from your home school and advise the foreign school administrators upon arrival of your credit transfer needs.
For more information about academic credit in Spanish speaking countries please click here. For general information on academic credit please click here.
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