University of Salamanca

Español | English

University of Salamanca

1. General Information about Salamanca

 

Salamanca is located in west-central Spain in the autonomous region of Castilla-Leon, some two hundred kilometers from Madrid and a hundred from the border with Portugal. A city “fit for all humankind,¿ Salamanca is a small and very relaxing place where you can stroll at ease, a place where in fact virtually everything is located just a short walk away. Besides being widely known for its historical University and for the artistic treasures it boasts, Salamanca is widely known nationwide for its “marcha¿, the lively daytime atmosphere and bustling nightlife that thousands of Spanish and foreign students bring to the city.

Located on the Central Plateau at 800 meters (2580 ft.) above sea level, the city is sheltered from the temperate Atlantic winds by nearby mountain ranges. Salamanca has a continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers and very short autumns and springs between. However, temperatures here are never very extreme nor is the air ever very damp. During the summer, especially during the month of July, temperatures can range from 20º to 30º C (68º to 86º F), so light clothes and shoes are best. Night temperatures can drop drastically, making a light jacket a necessary accessory. Autumn and spring are never very harsh or long, though they tend to be quite rainy. During the winter, warm outdoor clothes are a must. 

Plaza Mayor

Calle del centro histórico

Vista de la Catedral

Casa de las Conchas

 

 Salamanca hosts an impressive collection of artistic monuments, with examples from all stages of art history from Roman remnants to the most modern architectural styles. Located along the ancient Roman silver route, the Via de la Plata, which ran across the Iberian Peninsula from south to north, Salamanca has a well preserved Roman Bridge. Among later monuments, the most remarkable are the city’s two Cathedrals, one Romanesque and the other gothic, the Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells), undoubtedly the best example of XV century civil architecture in Spain, Renaissance palaces (Monterrey, La Salina and Fonseca), the University’s famous façade, which stands before the Historical Building, the San Esteban and Las Dueñas convents, which are fine samples of Salamanca’s very own splendorous style, Plateresque, and the magnificent Plaza Mayor (Main Square), a high point in Castillian baroque architecture.

In 1985 Salamanca was declared a "Mankind Heritage City" by the UNESCO and in the year 2002 was the “European Cultural Capital¿.

For further information about the city (museums, cultural activities, transportation, etc.) see www.aytosalamanca.com, www.salamancaciudaddecultura.org

Information about Spain: geography, climate, traditions, etc … at: http://www.guiadelmundo.com/paises/spain/mapa.html
Pictures of Salamanca: http://www.manbos.com/vergal.asp?galeria=37 

2. University of Salamanca

Besides being well-known throughout the world for its historical and cultural importance, Salamanca is also famous for its University, Spain’s oldest and one of the first universities in Europe. Founded by King Alfonse IX of Leon in 1218, during its nearly eight hundred years of history the University of Salamanca has been the home of illustrious professors, such as Fray Luis de Leon, Francisco de Vitoria, Diego de Torres Villarroel and Miguel de Unamuno, and the alma mater of future authors, such as Fernando de Rojas, San Juan de la Cruz and Calderon de la Barca, whose contributions to world literature, such as La Celestina and El Lazarillo de Tormes, were written here. Our University played a key role in the discovery of America and was the model, or alma mater, for the first universities established in the new World. The University of Salamanca’s magnificent library holds manuscripts and incunabula of incalculable value which attest to the University’s long and splendid history. In spite of this enlightening past, we must often remind ourselves of the University’s no less impressive present, as the University of Salamanca today is a young, dynamic institution which is open to the world and to the future.    

 

Universidad de Salamanca (fachada del edificio histórico)

Detalle de la fachada del edificio histórico de la Universidad de Salamanca

Palacio de Anaya (Facultad de Filología)

Palacio de Anaya (Facultad de Filología)

One of the University of Salamanca’s priorities has been, and still is, the teaching of Spanish, an endeavor for which it is widely known both on a national and international level. In fact, the very first grammar of a romance language, Nebrija’s Gramatica, was written within these University walls. Since those early days, our University has taken a great many steps towards the goal of spreading the use of Spanish all over the world.

Today, the University of Salamanca works jointly with the Instituto Cervantes in the creation and scoring of the DELE (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) exams. Ever since Cursos Internacionales was founded in 1929, thousands of students and teachers of Spanish have done coursework in our classrooms. Particularly in the last several decades, these students and teachers, yearning to improve their knowledge of Spanish or to study the theory and practice of Spanish teaching in greater depth, have found that this is the place to come.

The University of Salamanca, through its Cursos Internacionales branch, and in collaboration with the Spanish Ministry of Education and the Education Office of Spain in the United States, presents three teacher training courses for July 2009.These courses are oriented towards those teachers of Spanish as a foreign language willing to improve their knowledge of the Spanish language, Hispanic cultures and teaching methodology.

These courses are:

Classes will be taught by professors specialized in the different disciplines and a coordinator will be assigned to each group of students for all the programs.

The classes for the first two courses will begin at 9:00 a.m. on July 6th. The classes for the Master’s Degree will begin at 8:30 a.m., on June 29th. Upon arrival, in the University dormitories, participants will find information concerning classrooms and directions to get there. For the first two courses, on Sunday, July 5 at 7:00 p.m., there will be an informative meeting at the different dorms. For the Master’s Degree the informative meeting will be on Sunday, June 28 at 7:00 p.m.

For further information about the University of Salamanca, please visit http://www.usal.es

For further information about Cursos Internacionales of the University of Salamanca, please visit http://www.usal.es/cursosinternacionales 

3. Courses offered

a) Spanish Culture and Language: Images of Spain

b) Culture and cultures: One country composed of many

c) Master's Degree in Spanish Language and Culture

Spanish Culture and Language: Images of Spain Top

Participants

The course is oriented towards teachers of Spanish as a foreign language (grades K-12 and Community College).

Duration 

Three weeks (60 contact hours) July 6-24, 2009.

Schedule

Four hours a day in the morning.

Number of participants per group

Minimum: 20 Maximum: 30

Objectives:

In this course, we will try to reflect deeply into the knowledge and use of the language as well as into the grammar structures, their functions and real situations of usage. We will work on the main manifestations of daily Spanish culture and we will give enough information to analyze it in a broad sense, as an expression of its art and its knowledge of history.

Content:

Evaluation

Extracurricular activities (included in the program at no cost):

Facilities available (included in the program at no cost):

Fees:

1.350 euros 

The 1.350 euros include: 60 contact hours, the above mentioned extracurricular activities, accommodation and full board in a University dorm or in a Spanish family since July 5 ( 5 p.m.) to July 25 (12 p.m.) and medical insurance.

In addition to the extracurricular activities included in the course, there are others organized by the University of Salamanca in which the participants can also take part. For a list of these activities and prices contact our office. 

This course has six credits acknowledged for the completion of the Master´s degree in Spanish language and culture offered by the University of Salamanca. 

See “General Information about the programs".

 
Culture and cultures: One country composed of many Top

Participants

The course is oriented towards teachers of Spanish as a foreign language (grades K-12 and Community College).

Duration

3 weeks (60 contact hours) July 6-24, 2009.

Schedule

four hours a day in the morning

Number of participants per group

Minimum: 20 Maximum: 30

Objectives:

Content:

Evaluation

Extracurricular activities (included in the program at no cost):

Facilities available (included in the program at no cost):

Fees:

1.450 euros 

The 1.450 euros  include: 60 contact hours, the above mentioned extracurricular activities, accommodation and full board in a University dorm or in a Spanish family since July 5 (5 p.m.) to July 25 (12 p.m.) and medical insurance.

In addition to the extracurricular activities included in the course, there are others organized by the University of Salamanca in which the participants can also take part. For a list of these activities and prices contact our office.

This course has six credits acknowledged for the completion of the Master´s degree in Spanish language and culture offered by the University of Salamanca.

See "General Information about the programs" 

 

Master's Degree in Spanish Language and Culture Top

Participants

The course is oriented towards teachers of Spanish as a foreign language (grades K-12 and Community College).

Duration

Five weeks (180 contact hours), June 29 - July 31, 2009.

Schedule

Seven and a half hours a day.

Number of participants per group

Minimum: 30 Maximum: 40

Objectives:

To provide teachers of Spanish as a foreign language with adequate and deep training in this field.

Content:

 

500 hours total:

A) Contact hours to be done at the University of Salamanca (360 contact hours in two modules): 

  • First module:180 contact hours (June 29 - July 31, 2009).

Content: Spanish Grammar I (25 hours); History of the Spanish language (25 hours); Resources for the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language (25 hours); Contemporary Spanish literature (25 hours); History of Spain (25 hours); Spanish culture: Spanish cinema of the late XX century; Spain and its diversity (Roman, Medieval, Romanic and Mystic Spain), History and literature in Salamanca, popular culture (55 hours).

  • Second module (4 weeks in July and 1 week in August 2010).

Content: Spanish Grammar II (25 hours); Social and regional varieties of Spanish (25 hours); Hispanic America: language, literature and culture (25 hours); Sociological, political and economical issues in current Spain (25 hours) ; Spanish art (25 hours); Spanish culture: Latin American cinema of the late XX century; Spain and its diversity (popular architecture, Imperial Spain, etc.) History and literature in Salamanca and popular culture (55 hours).

B) 60 additional contact hours to be acknowledged by the University of Salamanca.

Students will have to complete sixty additional hours (6 credits) with additional courses, attendance at conferences, workshops or seminars on topics related to the contents of the master´s program. Students can fulfill this requirement at the universities or higher education institutions they wish, including the University of Salamanca. The University of Salamanca will be responsible for the acknowledgment of these credits.

C) Teaching experience 40 hours 

D) Master´s dissertation 40 hours

Evaluation

Written examination for each course.

Fees:

  • Master’s course total price (1st and 2nd modules): 3.680 euros 
  • 1st module (June 29 - July 31 2008): 1.840 euros 
  • 2nd module (4 weeks in July and 1 week in August 2010): 1.840 euros 

 

The 3.680 euros include: 180 contact hours (1st module), and 180 contact hours (2nd module); accommodation and full board in a University dorm or in a Spanish family since June 28, 2009 (5 p.m.) to August 1, 2009 (2 p.m.), and 4 weeks in July 2010, plus 1 week in August 2010, medical insurance and degree fees.  

Students interested in extracurricular activities such as excursions or cultural events organized by the University of Salamanca can ask for information at our office.

See "General Information about the programs" 

4. General information about the programs

Accommodation

Students will be accommodated in a single room (with bathroom) at a residence hall or with a Spanish family with full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner).

Students do not need to bring sheets or blankets, but they will have to bring their own towels.

Accommodation is provided from the day before the beginning of the course (check in time: 5 p.m.) to the day after the end of the course (check out at 12 p.m.).

If students wish to extend their stay, share a double room or need specific attention due to a medical condition, they must contact our office.

No animals except guide-dogs are allowed.

Dorms are usually located no further than 25 minutes walking to the classroom buildings.

If the students wish to live with a Spanish family, they should contact our office. The same rules as for dorms apply in this case. Companions under 17 years old are not allowed in the accommodations provided by the University.  

Extracurricular activities

Once in Salamanca, students can register for other extracurricular activities not included in the different programs: excursions, courses on cooking, Spanish guitar, Spanish songs, etc. Tickets for swimming pools or movies are also available.

Transportation

Airport: The closest international airport to Salamanca is Madrid Barajas.

Once at the airport you can get to the city center by bus, underground or taxi.

 

From Madrid to Salamanca you can get a: 

 

  • Bus (Auto Res): bus station at Plaza del Conde de Casal. Buses run every hour. (Further information in: www.auto-res.net)  
  • Train: train station at Chamartin. (Further information in: http://www.renfe.es)

In Salamanca, taxis from both stations to the University dorms should cost between 8 and 10 €)

Medical Insurance

Once registered in any of the four programs students are automatically covered by medical insurance which includes medical consultation, hospitalization and surgery. Dental services and medicines are not included except if hospitalized. This insurance is valid within Spanish territory.

Certificate Of Attendance

Students must attend 90 per cent of the course to obtain their certificate of attendance. Students from Master´s Degree in Spanish Language and Culture must attend 100 per cent of the course.

Credits

All the courses can be validated with credits by some American Universities, according to the Education Office of the Spanish Embassy in Washington. For further information: http://www.mepsyd.es/sgci/usa/en/programs/courses/credits.shtml

Registration

Information about the courses, accomodation and about the university of Salamanca: 

Cursos Internacionales de la Universidad de Salamanca
Patio de Escuelas Menores s/n
37008 Salamanca
España
Tf: 011 34 923 294 418 Fax: 011 34 923 294 504
E-Mail: cpusa@usal.es
www.usal.es/cursosinternacionales
Person in charge: Carmen Mota

Fees

Please see the information under each single course   

 

Top | Summer Courses | Office of Education