Salamanca’s fame lies in the prestige of its university and the graceful architecture of the Plaza Mayor and surrounding neighborhoods. The Universidad de Salamanca, the oldest university in Spain and one of the most prestigious in Europe, opened in 1218. Tradition and history permeate the city, where construction on its “new” Cathedral began in the 1500s.
In this full-immersion program, classes are offered by Cursos Internacionales of Universidad de Salamanca, one of the preeminent centers in the teaching of Spanish in the world. Each four-week program is equal to an entire semester of Spanish language study, with a range of language levels available. You are able to participate in both program sessions.
You also have the opportunity to create a unique language and cultural immersion experience by combining two four-week summer sessions. If this option is selected, an additional three-day field trip to Seville and Granada is included during Summer Session II.
After you are admitted, refer to the Travel Dates section of the Predeparture Information in your MyIESabroad account before booking travel.
IES Abroad’s mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. That is why we partnered with Cursos Internacionales of Universidad de Salamanca.
While in Salamanca, you enroll in a total of 5 credits. All courses are conducted in Spanish.
Beginning Spanish students enroll in:
Past elective courses for beginning Spanish students include:
Intermediate to Superior Spanish students enroll in:
Past elective courses for intermediate to superior Spanish students have included:
Course syllabi for Spanish language courses and elective courses are available upon request. Contact your IES Abroad Program Advisor for more information.
Spanish Language classes enroll approximately 12 students per class, and the conversation portions of the course enroll approximately eight students per class - ratios that guarantee that you receive individual attention from your instructors. Please note that Spanish Language course level will be determined by a placement exam administered during orientation in Salamanca.
Beginning Taught by faculty at the University of Salamanca’s Cursos Internacionales, this course provides students with little or no previous Spanish studies the ability to develop their language skills through explicit grammar instruction and a variety of communicative activities. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to produce simple texts and conversations related to personal and familiar topics. Students will be able to provide uncomplicated descriptions and offer their opinions on well-known topics.
Among the explicit topics covered in class are simple present and past indicative tenses, interrogatives, possessives, likes and dislikes. Class activities and conversations offer students the opportunity to develop and enhance their vocabulary on basic subjects related to their daily lives and experience abroad.
Intermediate Taught by faculty at the University of Salamanca’s Cursos Internacionales, this course combines explicit grammar instruction and a variety of communicative activities in order to improve written and oral communication skills in Spanish for students who possess a high beginning/intermediate level of proficiency. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to maintain in natural and clear Spanish social conversations with native speakers, including debates over well-known topics. Students will be able to produce and understand written texts of moderate length on familiar topics.
Among the explicit structures covered in class are ser/estar, commands, present subjunctive constructions, and expressions of time. Through class activities and conversations, student will improve their vocabulary and cultural literacy on a wide variety of topics relevant to their interests and experiences abroad.
Advanced Taught by faculty at the University of Salamanca’s Cursos Internacionales, this course combines explicit grammar instruction and a variety of communicative activities in order to improve written and oral communication skills in Spanish for students who already possess a high intermediate/low advanced level of proficiency. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to understand a wide variety of standard texts about familiar topics. Successful students will be able to describe in clear and efficient Spanish their experiences, desires, and aspirations as well as defend their positions on moderately complicated topics.
In addition to a review of intermediate level structures such as ser/estar and the present subjuntive, the course provides students the means to improve their Spanish proficiency through practice with complex skills such as past subjunctive tenses and relative structures. The presentation of course materials also affords students the opportunity to enhance the breadth and depth of their vocabulary within a cultural context.
Superior Taught by faculty at the University of Salamanca’s Cursos Internacionales, this course combines explicit grammar instruction and a variety of communicative activities in order to improve written and oral communication skills in Spanish for students already at an advanced level of proficiency. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to apply a wide variety of linguistic resources in order to negotiate a complex variety of conversations with an advanced level of fluency and precision. Students also should be able to understand and interpret all types of written and oral texts.
In addition to a review of intermediate/advanced structures such as ser/estar, past tenses, a variety of subjunctive tenses, etc, the course provides advanced level students the means to improve their Spanish proficiency through practice with complex skills such as the expression of probability and hypothesis. The presentation of course materials also affords students the opportunity to enhance the breadth and depth of their vocabulary base within a cultural context.
Universidad de Salamanca (USAL)www.usal.es The Universidad de Salamanca (USAL) was founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX of Leon, and currently enrolls approximately 30,000 students annually, of which 700 are international students. USAL is recognized for academic strength in Biology, Education, History, Philosophy, and Spanish Language and Literature.
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Salamanca, it will feel like home.
Homestays – Live with a local resident(s) in your own private room and receive three meals a day while the program is in session.
Residence Halls – All rooms are singles with an en-suite bathroom and a shared kitchenette. The residence hall features a weight room, laundry facilities, computer lab, study area, and game room. IES Abroad provides you with 14 meals per week. You'll receive a meal card to use in various university dining halls. Placement in the residence hall is limited.
Part of making you feel at home in Madrid is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
The program begins with a 1-day orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Salamanca staff, your fellow students, and the city of Salamanca. Topics such as academics, housing, transportation, extra curricular activities, and health and safety are covered during this time.
Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the program with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.
Redefine the way you live and learn in Madrid through our cultural activities, such as:
Even though your adventure starts in Salamanca, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of the Iberian Peninsula. We organize a three-day field trip that is included in the cost of the program. You also have the opportunity to participate in field trips through the University of Salamanca. Here are a few possible destinations.
IES ABROAD FIELD TRIPSNorthern Portugal: Aveiro and Porto3 Days | Summer Session IVisit the beach town of Aveiro, known as the Portuguese Venice. Tour Porto's main sites, cruise on the Douro River, and wine taste in Calem - one the most famous wineries in Porto.
Cantabria: Santander, Comillas, and Santillana del Mar.3 Days | Summer Session IIVisit the beautiful coastal city of Santander. The visit includes a boat trip on an old schooner, as well as a visit to the World Heritage site of Altamira caves, known for its pre-historic paintings, and the medieval town of Santillana del Mar.
UNIVERSIDAD DE SALAMANCA FIELD TRIPSYou can participate in optional, unsubsidized, day trips to sites such as:
Additionally, the university usually offers three-day trips to Barcelona and Andalucia. An additional field trip to Sevilla and Granada is offered as a benefit to students who stay for both sessions.
About the Center
The IES Abroad Salamanca Center is located in the core of the city, near the Plaza Mayor and the historic campuses of the Universidad de Salamanca and Universidad Pontificia. Features include:
faculty-spotlight-rev3-black resized.png Read our interview with Dr. José Ramón Matito Fernández!
Originally from the United States, Barbara Liberatore has been living and working in Salamanca for over 20 years. She is fluent in Spanish and Italian. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island and her Master’s degree in Italian Studies from Brown University where she also held a teaching assistantship. Barbara brings to IES Abroad more than 20 years of experience in teaching, management, and supervision in international education. She taught in Brown University’s Summer Intensive English Program for many years, worked as Assistant Director for the University of Rhode Island’s Summer Study Abroad Program in Salamanca, and directed other study abroad programs there before beginning with IES Abroad.
IES Abroad StaffMaría Ángeles Tabárez de DiosAcademic and Administrative Coordinator
David Artime HolgadoStudent Affairs Coordinator
Yolanda LópezHousing Coordinator
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