Description

The Language and Society study abroad program in Seville, Spain is designed for students at the intermediate Spanish language level with an interest in improving their Spanish language skills and learning about Spanish culture.

The goal of the Language and Society program is to solidify the student's Spanish language skills while providing an understanding of Spanish literature, history, politics, art, and culture. This is achieved through intensive language and content coursework. All courses are taught in Spanish and are complemented with excursions and volunteer opportunities.

Academic Program
Established in 1985, the CIEE Language and Society program is geared to intermediate-level language students who want to see a marked improvement in their language skills while gaining an understanding of Spanish culture. Course work combines intensive language and content courses.

Online Placement Exam
Prior to departure for Seville, all students are required to take a CIEE online placement exam during the scheduled exam period: mid-November to mid-December for the spring semester and mid-May to mid-June for the fall semester. The purpose of this exam is to determine the student's level of Spanish so that he or she is placed in appropriate language courses. Students should take this exam seriously, as placement in many upper-level courses depends upon a high online placement exam score.

Writing Center and Tutorials
CIEE has a writing center staffed by language professors and Spanish students majoring in Spanish philology. CIEE organizes tutorials for students to help them in reading, writing, comprehension, and speaking, which may help them progress more readily in their courses.

Academic Culture
Students take language courses at the CIEE Study Center. Content courses are held at the Facultades de Filologia y Geografia e Historia, located 10 minutes from the CIEE Study Center. This location provides a wonderful opportunity for students to meet and become friends with Spanish students.

Having taught in the United States, many faculty members are familiar with the U.S. academic system. Teaching methods, of course, vary from teacher to teacher, and it is of great value for the students to be exposed to different styles. Students are able to use the library, computer facilities, and study rooms of the Facultades.

During the fall semester, there is no extended vacation period. During the spring semester, two vacation periods take place: Semana Santa and Feria de Abril. Although the dates are not fixed, students are normally free the week before Easter (Holy Week) and then again for a week approximately two weeks after Easter.

Although extracurricular activities and personal travel contribute to the student's overall experience, attendance in class is mandatory and unexcused absences affect final grades. Early departure for or late return from vacations is not allowed. Any extended travel should take place prior to the start of the program, during the semester break, or upon completion of the program.

Highlights

• Study Spanish in a program designed for Spanish majors and minors with an intermediate language level
  
• Participate in extensive field trips and excursions, including a trip to Morocco as part of the Advanced Language Skills and Conversation course
  
• Improve your Spanish through the CIEE writing center and tutorials, Tertulia lecture series, personal development workshops, a conversation exchange, and volunteer opportunities
  
• Live with a local family who provide cultural and linguistic integration

Every week an enewsletter, Noticias desde Sevilla, is posted on our website. It announces happenings around Seville and the cultural activities CIEE has planned to complement academic work.

Trip to Morocco
Students take a three-day trip to Morocco as part of the Advanced Language Skills and Conversation course, which focuses on issues related to the historical, cultural, religious, and economic ties between Spain and Morocco. Students put contemporary reality into a historical perspective during their visit. To prepare for this field trip, guest speakers discuss issues concerning emigration, the role of women, and relations between Spain and Morocco.

Proyecto DOUAR del Español
The Language and Society program in Seville and the Cervantes Institute of Tetouan, Morocco, have created a nomadic community, not only in the virtual space of the Internet but also in the physical one, encompassed by the city of Tetouan. In this historic site, our students share their interests, experiences, historic and cultural references, and their vision of the world with Moroccan students.

The basis of the Proyecto Douar del Español is the shared use of the Spanish language as a vehicle for intercultural communication. Academic staff from both institutions devise and coordinate the activities of the project.

The work is organized around shared tasks done in pairs formed by one student from each institution. Through these tasks the students develop their knowledge of one another both personally and culturally. Each pair creates an Internet blog in which they present their accomplishments. These include written assignments as well as audiovisual projects that require the participation of both partners. All blogs are posted on a website, which functions both as a diary and an archive of shared experiences and knowledge.

Using Spanish as the vehicle to communicate with friends from a different continent and culture is what makes the Proyecto Douar del Español an invaluable experience not only for the students but for everyone involved in the project.

Immersion
Intercambios
A conversation exchange program with Spanish students is an important part of the program. Intercambios give students the chance to practice what they are learning in the language courses, as well as help them become more integrated into Spanish student life, and sevillano life and culture.

Tándem Project
This is an out-of-classroom activity in the Language and Conversation class. The basic idea of the Tándem Project is that each Language and Society student is paired up with a Spanish student of similar age and language ability. Each American student is responsible for the development of the Spanish students' English language skills, and vice versa. This includes all aspects of spoken and written language, including grammar, reading, writing, pronunciation, and conversation. This project is carried out with Spanish students from the Instituto de Idiomas at the Universidad de Sevilla.

Community Involvement
Students have the opportunity to work with children and the elderly, as well as other humanitarian associations. Students may also become involved in such international organizations as Amnesty International. Volunteer teaching opportunities in local schools are also available.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing.

Program Fees Include:

The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, all meals, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

Experience Required

yes

• Overall GPA 2.75
• 3-4 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available

We have several scholarships that students can apply for. Contact CIEE for details.

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application
• Transcript
• Other

CIEE's Mission Statement

Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. Our services to young people studying, working, teaching, and traveling abroad are more important than ever.

Year Founded

1947