Classes

alea currently offers four levels of study in each of its five course types (orientations).

LEVELS

• Beginner: Since fluency in any language depends on a solid grasp of its fundamental concepts, our beginner level courses present students with the most important elements of basic Spanish. We will address such topics as syntax, vocabulary, spelling, idiomatic expressions, and pronunciation.

• Intermediate: The intermediate student can communicate in the language and already grasps its primary concepts. Therefore, this level aims to reinforce basic knowledge while at the same time expanding the student's grammatical and expressive capabilities. An emphasis on pronunciation will enhance the student's ability to converse comfortably in Spanish.

• Advanced: This student has a comprehensive knowledge of the language with few problems. Work at this level will focus on eliminating any remaining weak points and clarifying any linguistic doubts that the student might have. We will concentrate on increasing vocabulary and improving expressive skills, with fluency and near-native pronunciation as our final goals.   

• Superior: This is the ideal level for the "culture" course-type. It is also appropriate for those interested in perfecting their written Spanish or in acquiring expertise in oral or written translation.   (top)

TYPES

• Culture: To ensure that students get as much out of their experience as possible, enrollment in this course is limited to those with at least an intermediate level of proficiency in Spanish. The course incorporates various cultural topics including, but not limited to, the history, art, and literature of Spain. It should not be forgotten, however, that the ultimate goal of the course is the perfection of the student’s language skills. As such, the instructors will constantly make reference to linguistic matters, even in classes supposedly dedicated to other topics. By encouraging the student to explore the language in context, this course combines acquisition of solid language skills with an appreciation for Spain’s rich cultural heritage.

• Colloquial / Everyday: This course will immerse the student in everyday Spanish, the language spoken by people on the street and by the mass-media.

• Commercial / Business: This course focuses on the special variety of Spanish used in business and commerce. It is ideal for business people interested in picking up a language with ever-expanding commercial clout in the global marketplace.
  
  
• Legal: Another variant of technical Spanish, this course concentrates on the language of law and bureacracy.
  
  
• D.E.L.E.: This course prepares students for the language exams given by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Culture. The Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) has three levels of accreditation: CIE or Certificado Inicial de Español (Initial Spanish Language Certification), DBE or Diploma Básico de Español (Basic Spanish Language Diploma), and DSE or Diploma Superior de Español (Advanced Spanish Lanuage Diploma).     (top)
  

SUMMER COURSES

In July and August, Alea offers month-long courses specially designed for young people (between the ages of 14 and 18). Participants in these programs stay at student residences. Many cultural and leisure activities have been planned to encourage interaction and immersion in the Spanish language. All of these activities are supervised by Alea mentors. Like other Alea students, participants in the summer programs receive three and a half hours of intensive language intruction every day during the week. Additionaly, their weekends have been organized around nature excursions, visits to museums, and other cultural and recreational activities to enhance the classroom experience.

This program offers an unforgettably rewarding experience for teenagers interested in the Spanish language and culture. Without a doubt, Asturias is the best place to spend the summer with Alea! To apply for these summer courses, you must request a special enrollment form, which will be delivered to you via regular mail.                     (top)


METHOD

Our professors and licentiates in Hispanic philology, geography, history and art have extensive experience and qualifications, and more importantly, are eager to help you learn by emphasizing quality teaching. Lessons in the classroom are reinforced with level-appropriate audio/visual material selected by the instructors from Alea’s ample library. The sense of "togetherness" and the numerous extracurricular activities of the Alea method make possible language acquisition in a pleasant, non-competitive environment. Alea: a complete learning experience.        (top)