Methodology

Language Levels

Academia Tica adheres to the Common European Framework for Languages. Group courses are conducted in classes of a maximum of 6 students. The average per class is 3-4 students only. One lesson is 50 minutes. On the first morning of each course you will be tested to evaluate your level of Spanish. Following the test you will be assigned to one of the following six course levels which correspond to the following modules:

Module I Module II Module III More Information

Module I: Levels A & B without prior knowledge

The goals of these introductory courses are to achieve a basic level of oral communication in the present, future and past tense. At the same time students will acquire a general knowledge of Costa Rica and Latin America: Students will learn the minimum vocabulary and grammatical structures needed to develop the first contacts with the Spanish speaking community.

Module II: Levels C & D, Elementary and Intermediate Level

In elementary and intermediate classes the basic communication skills will be strengthened and expanded by more complex verb forms including the preterite, conditional, subjunctive. Various didactic methods are used including practice with written Spanish and works with various topics of the Costa Rican and Latin American experience.

Module III: Levels Upper Intermediate and Advanced

In these courses, students review the grammatical problems of Spanish as a second language and work with more advanced topics. In addition, students will strengthen their existing knowledge and minimize existing weaknesses. Intercultural analysis of Latin America, the interpretation of literary works, and the improvement of written Spanish are emphasized.

More Information

Each level includes grammatical structures of the Spanish language and presentation and discussion of details and special characteristics of life and society. Technical Spanish and Composition exercises are available, too (optional). Modules II and III include writing exercises. Module III includes (optional or combined) Technical Spanish, contemporary Latin American literature, Latin American tradition and folklore, Latin American political and social problems.

In addition to our working files we also use local newspapers, magazines from Central America, songs, videos about the Latin American reality, illustrations, maps, textbooks and many other materials which are especially prepared for use in Academia Tica. We also visit places related to the topics and invite experts to give lectures. Discussion themes are presented in sections and include a variety of listening exercises. Some examples from the catalog topics: