SP 221 - Spanish Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad

Research has demonstrated that study abroad can enhance every aspect of language ability. One of the most
important general findings of this research is, however, that study abroad is most beneficial for the development of
abilities related to social interaction. Students who go abroad can learn to do things with words, such as requesting,
apologizing, or offering compliments, and they may also learn to interpret situations calling such speech acts in ways
that local people do. In short, and logically, study abroad has been shown to enhance the aspects of communicative
competence that are most difficult to foster in classroom settings (IES Abroad MAP© for Language and Intercultural
Communication, p. 6).

GENERAL STUDENT PROFILE:  
Students entering this level have little or no prior knowledge of Spanish. Some students may have had previous exposure to certain competencies addressed in the course; however, they still require further instruction and guided practice to develop greater control and confidence in these skills. Following the Novice Abroad level descriptors in the IES Abroad MAP for Language and Intercultural Communication, the course focuses on developing basic communicative and intercultural skills for everyday social interaction and for simple professional communication in healthcare settings. Through guided practice, students will learn to interact in elementary clinical and community situations, understand and use essential healthcare-related vocabulary, and develop the confidence needed to communicate with patients, peers, and healthcare professionals in Spanish.

As students gain more self-awareness and self-confidence, they will attempt more in the community. Paradoxically,
this means they may also experience more miscommunications and frustration. Reading and writing require effort,
and many students will need to make a special effort in this regard. Students will also develop cultural awareness
and skills to navigate the challenges of adapting to the local culture and learn to celebrate their successes. They will
begin to appreciate the value of these language and intercultural skills. 

By the end of the course, the successful student will have developed enough self-confidence, language, and cultural skills to attempt more complex tasks in Spanish as described in the learning outcomes below.