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.

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.

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.