About Us
Duke University is committed to providing students with an education
that prepares
them to become active participants in an increasingly diverse and interdependent
world. It is imperative that all students acquire the ability to understand
both global and local events from multiple perspectives. Development
of linguistic abilities is integral to expanding students' worldview
since it permits contact with Spanish- speaking countries and peoples
through real texts, video, and audio sources. Active participation in
the language classroom provides students the opportunity to discuss and
reflect on cultural information. This linguistic ability and cultural
knowledge will benefit students both in everyday interactions with their
communities and in their chosen careers.
The Spanish Language Program (SLP) at Duke University has designed courses
to
develop all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
The SLP includes Elementary Spanish 001 and 002, Intermediate Spanish
(SP063) and Advanced Intermediate Spanish (SP076). The 100-level courses
specialize in writing, grammar, and speaking skills in the following
courses: Advanced Spanish Writing (SP101), Advanced Spanish Grammar (SP104),
and Spanish for Oral Communication (SP105). Spanish 106 courses carry
a special emphasis on cultural and social issues. Our elementary and intermediate courses are taught following a task-based second language teaching approach. The ultimate goal is to have students be able to communicate in Spanish depending on the context and specific situations they encounter in authentic or real life situations. Our advanced courses (101-109) focus both on the development of specific language skills as well as on the reflection of different thematic content.