Spanish
Salamanca, Spain. Photo courtesy of Charlie Lane.
Qualifications
Overview
In the world today, there are more native speakers of Spanish than native speakers of English. Spanish is the mother tongue of more than 450 million people in 21 countries and is also widely spoken in 22 other countries and dependent territories. The largest concentrations of Spanish speakers are in Spain, Latin America, and the USA. In travel, culture, science, trade, cyberspace, and sport, the Spanish language is a major player.
The Hispanic world is unified by its main official language, but it also represents a rich, complex, and heterogeneous space with significant ethnic, cultural, linguistic, political, and religious practices. Studying Spanish will give you an insight into this mix of old and new traditions which form the tapestry of Hispanic culture. It will also put you in a position to understand and participate in the economic and political transformations that connect even the remotest places in Latin America with our increasingly global environment.
- Students enjoy the challenging and informal atmosphere of the classes, and staff members work closely with students to help them achieve high levels of language proficiency and in-depth knowledge of Hispanic culture.
- Some of the programme’s most important resources are the exchange programmes with Spanish universities that provide an authentic environment for students to improve their Spanish language skills. Students who take part in these exchange programmes have a chance to study abroad for one or two semesters, and suitable courses can be credited towards their degree at UC.
- In conjunction with the Spanish Ministry of Education, students can apply through the Spanish programme at UC to be a teaching assistant in Spain. This unique programme offers the opportunity for students to teach English in Spain in primary, secondary, and language schools for up to a full academic year.
Spanish language courses cater for total beginners as well as those with some prior knowledge of the language.
SPAN 101 Beginners' Spanish A is for total beginners, while SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish Language A is the normal entry point for those with Year 13 Spanish.
Placement tests are also available for those who have acquired proficiency by other means. Contact the Department of Global, Cultural and Language Studies for information regarding this.
UC offers a major in Spanish within the Bachelor of Arts.
You can also study a minor in Spanish within the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, and Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership.
Spanish major
To complete a major in Spanish within the Bachelor of Arts, you will need to take the following courses throughout the degree:
100-level
200-level
- Three 200-level SPAN courses
300-level
At least one of the following courses is required in the major:
- SPAN 203 Spanish Conversation and Pronunciation
- SPAN 205 Journey through Hispanic Civilisation and Culture
- SPAN 305 Journey through Hispanic Civilisation and Culture
One of the following may also be counted as a Spanish course in the major:
- EURA 101 Global EUrope
- EURA 104 European Languages in Europe and Beyond
- LING 103 Basics of Language for Language Learners
It is highly recommended that students complete some Spanish language courses during their major study. The 100-level language courses are for absolute beginners or those with very little previous experience in Spanish language. Students with a high level of Spanish language proficiency may be given direct entry to 200-level language courses.
At least one non-language 300-level course is recommended for students intending to go onto postgraduate Spanish studies.
Spanish minor
For the Spanish minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership, you will need to take these courses throughout your chosen degree:
- 75 points in 100 to 300-level SPAN courses, with at least 45 points at 200-level or above
Spanish graduates find employment in a wide range of careers including teaching, translation, research, journalism, diplomacy, and international law. Government and international organisations as well as research institutions welcome such language skills.
Spanish will also benefit students who wish to work or do further studies in Spain, the USA, or Latin America.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Spanish.
Contact us
Department of Global, Cultural and Language Studies
Phone +64 3 369 3377
Email artsdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Level 5, James Logie building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Rāngai Toi Tangata | College of Arts
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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