University of Vina Del Mar (UVM)
Spanish Language & Chilean Culture – 2012 / 2013
4 weeks – $1795 / Semester – $2995
The Program
The University of Vina Del Mar is a fully accredited university by the Ministry of Education in Chile. International students attend “Intensive Spanish and Chilean Culture” courses as well as have the opportunity to take other course subjects. Courses are offered for the Semester, as well as 4 – 8 weeks during the Summer and Winter (January). It’s courses and degrees have been transfered to other universities around the world. Overall, the University of Vina Del Mar has an excellent reputation within the South American academic community. Instructors are Professors (faculty) from the university itself, and foreign students earn college credit upon completing the program and have the transcript sent to their home school. Join us!
The Location
Chile is located in South America. It’s bordering countries are Peru and Bolivia in the North and Argentina to the East. It’s natural borders are the Pacific Ocean to the West and the Magellan Strait to the South. Chilean geography is best known for its variety of climates and sceneries. Arid desert, fields of fruit and beautiful beaches, volcanoes, lakes, worlds second largest rain forest, plus fyords and canals, pampas and glaciers. Well known “Easter Island” is off the coast. The deserts in the North, the central valleys, and the Lake Region in the South make Chile an ideal place for vacation and adventure. Throughout the years, Chile has become a politically stable country with a growing economy which, in turn, makes it a safe and perfect place to immerse oneself in the culture. Chile’s population is about 15 million. Official language is “Spanish”, and its currency the Chilean peso. Overall, it is a “mestizo” country, of mixed European and indigenous extraction.
Vina Del Mar, known as “The Garden City” was founded in 1874. It is considered as the capital of Chilean “tourism”, for it is the most important resort area in Chile along the Pacific shoreline. Vina Del Mar is part of the Fifth Region and it is located next to the Regional Capital City of Santiago, as well as links with sister-city “Valparaiso” which is the main seaport and seat of Parliament. The climate is similar to San Francisco, Blue Coast in the Mediterranean Sea, Cape City in South Africa, and Perth, Australia. Average summer temperatures (December – March) is 68 degress (F), and in Winter – 59 degrees (F). The crime rate is very low in Vina Del Mar, and staff there advises students about it.
Chilean Spanish has its own characteristics. You will notice that in general Chilean’s speak fast and not real clearly. You will get use to it, so don’t worry. They commonly do not pronounce the “s” on ends of words. Chilean Spanish has some words for things that are different than Standard Spanish. You may hear the second person singular pronounced as “ai” rather than “as”. For example, “Como estai?” rather than “Como estas?” It may sound strange at first, but its all part of the beauty of the language.
Courses
All students take a placement exam upon arrival and orientation. Students are then placed in the “Intensive Spanish” course of their level: beginners, intermediate, advance or superior. In addition, students take a “Spanish Writing” course, as well as a “Chilean Culture” course. Students earn over 90 hours (6 credits) for the Spanish language and Chilean Culture, and over 46 hours (3 credits) for the Advanced Spanish Writing Course. If more hours are needed, the student can continue with the Intensive Spanish. Otherwise, when they reach the required level of “high intermediate / advance”, they can proceed to take some other courses with Chilean students that are taught in Spanish. See below for course descriptions of the Spanish and Chilean Culture courses. Classes are usually taught for 45 minutes each.
If a student has a “high Intermediate”, “Advanced”, or “Superior” level of the Spanish language, they can then design their own Academic Semester program and attend classes with regular Chilean students from a wide range of disciplines that include: business administration and economics, agriculture, art, basic sciences, education, humanities and engineering. Courses are structured by the Department of Humanities. Actual course listings and descriptions are not available until after arrival and placement test to determine level. All coursework is in Spanish. These courses can total over 96 hours (6 credits).
INTENSIVE SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CHILEAN CULTURE:
Specific Objectives
- Develop the students ability to express themselves orally with ease and naturalness what they are thinking and feeling.
- Develop listening comprehension through by exposing students to Chilean films, AmericanÊfilms dubbed in Spanish, and Chilean and Latin American music.
- Through reading, promote participation in association activities, interpretation, and analysis of themes that influence our society.
- Involve the student in the Chilean culture and language throughout of class activities.
- Through reading a variety of texts, develop the students reading abilities and oral expression of what the student has read.
Contents
- Chile: cultural aspects
- Chilean Films:
Historias de Futbol (Chilean stories from the Norte, South and Central part of Chile), El Chacotero Sentimental (El Patas Negras, Todo es Cancha), El Gringuito, Coronacion, El Chacal de Nahueltoro, Johnny Cien Pesos, etc. - Documentary Films: Nuestro Siglo
- Games: Escrupulos
- Idiomatic expressions and Chilean slang
- Grammar, indicative mood, past tense, subjunctive mood, adverbs
- Short Stories by Chilean authors
Activities
- Individual presentations: each week the students will read a work by Chilean author. Students will take turns leading a discussion ove rthe assigned reading.
- Debates over themes related to Chilean culture.
- Do a video project that comments on and discusses a certain cultural or linguistic aspect ofÊChile.
- Discussion on films.
ADVANCED SPANISH WRITING:
Contents
- Thematic Contents
Analysis of texts by Latin American and Chilean authors - Structural Contents
Sentences: Nouns and adjectives. Type and number. Use of prepositions, Personal pronouns, possessives and demonstratives.
Verbs: Regular and Irregular. Ser-Estar.
Mood: Indicative, subjunctive, imperative.
Tense: Present, past (preterite-imperfect).
Spelling rules: Capitalization, pronounciation, accents.
Uses of b/v,c/s/v, h, g/j, c/qu, r/rr, m/n - Contents of Written Communication.
Writing and composition.
Descriptions.
Essays: experiences of real life, present-day themes.
Bibliography
- Bonet y Rincon. El libro de los acentos. Barcelona, 1993. 1st edition.
- Valenzuela, Florencio. El verbo. Bogota, 1996.
- Seco, Rafael. Manual de grammatical espanol. Madrid, 1989.
- Gutierrez y Gutierrez. Redaccion y ortografia simplificadas. Santiago de Chile, 1995.
Note: Additional Course descriptions are available after arrival from the Professors.
Note: If a student is very fluent in Spanish, they can skip the language requirements and take other courses that are available in the Department of Humanities. They must take the Placement Exam there upon arrival to determine level.
1. Intensive Spanish & Chilean Culture Program: SPAN 101, 201, 301 (from beginner to intermediate level…3 sections)
- NOTE: Students who do not meet the language requirements cannot take regular courses due to the fact that the majority of courses are taught in Spanish. Thus, the following courses are offered…3 sections:
NOTE: These courses integrates language and culture, through Chilean films, documentaries, radio and television publicity, magazines and news stories, in an effort to make the communicative competency of the developing student better in four linguistice skills: listening and reading comprehension, and oral and written expression.
a. Beginning Level (Spanish 1)……60 hours…..4 credits. An introduction to the Spanish language, inlcuding grammar, vocabulary, expressions, and common situations. The fundamentals of Spanish are developed through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Practice in pronunciation and developement of comprehension. SPAN 101
b. Beginner Level (Spanish 2)……60 hrs…….4 credits This course further develops the fundamentals of Spanish seen in Spanish 1. Focus is on grammar, composition, phonetics, and pronunciation. SPAN 201
c. Intermediate Level (Spanish 3)…..60 hrs…..4 credits This course further develops Spanish language skills, including a rapid review of components learned in Beginning level Spanish 1 and 2. Topics include using the subjunctive and ser vs. estar are studied in greater detail. Conversational and reading/writing abilities are continually enhanced through excercises and situational practice. SPAN 301
2. Intensive Spanish & Chilean Culture Program: (from intermediate to advanced levels….offered in 2 sections).
- * Advanced Spanish 1 & 2 aim to perfect the language capabilities of advanced level students. Grammar is emphasized applied to oral practice and reinforced by reading, writing, and listening comprehension excercises. SPAN 401 / 402. 4 semester / 6 quarter hrs.
- * Spanish Writing and Composition…..46 hrs……..3 credits Learn different textual typologies, grammar structures and logic. To recognize sentence problems in semantic, grammatic and lexicographic terms. Detailed review of writing by Chilean writers. Structural contents include subjects and adjectives, direct and indirect pronouns, tenses, moods, grammar rules, use of prepositions. An emphasis in essay writing.
NOTE: Students who do meet the language requirements can take the regular courses and particiapte in one of the two Spanish & Chilean Culture Programs:
NOTE: A continuation of language instruction and involving the student in the Chilean culture by including films, documentaries, games, stories by Chilean authors, presentations by students, debates, class discussions.
a. Intensive Spanish & Chilean Culture…..90 hrs……..6 credits
3) Spanish Conversation & Latin American / Chilean Program (for Advanced and Superior Levels……divided into 3 courses):
a. Spanish Conversation & Chilean Culture……..64 hrs…….4 credits
b. Strategies for Communication: Grammar and Compostion….46 hrs…..3 credits Course reviews sentence structure – nouns, articles, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, verb tenses, modes, connectives, and conditionals.
c. Latin American Cultural Perspectives……32 hrs…….2 credits
4) University Regular (General) Courses for International and Chilean Students. International students can take general (regular) courses from the study areas offered by the University of Vina Del Mar. These include the following: History, Sociology, Business, Engineering, Biology, Language and Literature Studies, Law, Spanish and Communication, Accounting, Architecture, Graphic Design, Education. Not all the subjects are available every semester, and are taught for about 40 minutes per class.
- NOTE: You can obtain a complete list of classes available upon arrival and check-in.
* The following two (2) courses are offered in English:
1) LIT-ENG: Latin America on Film (1, 2 Semester)
2) LIT-ENG: Latin American Literature (1, 2 Semester)
Academic Credit
Students earn 13 – 15 semester credits for each semester completed. 3 – 4 credits for each 4-week session completed. Upon completion, transcripts (Certificate) is available from the University of Vina Del Mar….stating the courses taken, number of hours, and grade.
Financial Aid
Yes, you can use your financial aid on this program. Please have your Financial Aid office e-mail us a “Consortium Agreement” to complete and sign. CSA does not offer any scholarships or financial aid, we can only assist you in using your home school’s financial aid on this program.
Activities
- Extracurricular activities include:
- Sports and recreational activities: aerobics, basketball, soccer, etc.
- Access to campus sport facilities.
- Salsa dance lessons.
- Access to the internet.
- Local sightseeing and excursions to Isla Negra and city of Valparaiso (optional).
- Social gatherings (parties) with other students.
Housing
Students stay with local families. These families have hosted foreign students before and are from middle – upper income households. Overall, they are carefully selected. CSA will provide the host family confirmation prior to starting date.
Private room is provided as well as three(3) meals daily. Bed linens are provided, and laundry service is also included weekly by the host-mother. Host families tend to be the “traditional family”: Mother, Father, and children. Living with a Chilean family allows CSA students to further enhance their Spanish language skills as well as experience the Chilean culture. Overall, the Chilean host families take very good care of CSA students, adopting them into the family. Costs $175 per week / $700 per month
If you want to arrange your own housing, that’s okay with CSA. But we will need to know where you are staying…address and phone number.
Dates and Fees
WINTER PROGRAM 2012 – Summer in Chile (4 Weeks)
| January 4th – 31st, 2012 | $1795 *airport pick-up Jan 3rd |
SPRING SEMESTER 2012
| March 5th – July 13th, 2012 | $2995 *airport pick-up Mar 3rd |
SUMMER 2012 – Winter (mild) in Chile
| 4 Weeks | June 1st – 29th, 2012 | $1795 *airport pick-up May 31st |
| 4 Weeks | July 4th – 31st, 2012 | $1795 *airport pick-up July 3rd |
| 8 Weeks | June 1st – July 31st, 2012 | $3595 *airport pick-up May 31st |
Similar dates in 2013
FALL SEMESTER 2012
| August 6th – December 7th, 2012 | $2995 *airport pick-up Aug 4th |
WINTER PROGRAM 2013 Summer in Chile (4 weeks)
| January 3rd – 31st, 2013 | $1795 *airport pick-up Jan 2nd |
SPRING SEMESTER 2013
| March 4th – July 12th, 2013 | $2995 *airport pick-up March 2nd |
Vacation
| Holy Week | April 15th – 17th | National Holiday | May 21st |
| Religious Holiday | June 16th, 29th | (Independence Days) | September 13th – 17th |
| Holiday | November 1st | Religious Holiday | December 8th |
Christmas and New Year Break: Dec 9th, 2012 – Jan 1st, 2013
Requirements
Programs are open to all adults, from all countries. College students, teachers, working adults, and high school graduates are all encouraged to register. Minimum age is 18.
Valid passport is required. Visa not required for stays of up to 90 days (3 months). Visa required for “Semester” programs. For further information, contact the “Embassy of Chile”, 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 (Tel # 202-785-1746, ext 104 or 110). A list of the nearest Chile Consulates are on the website: http://www.chile-usa.org
Medical and Accidental Insurance will be “required”. Check your family plan to see if you will be covered while in Chile. Otherwise, please purchase insurance. CSA suggests two companies: Wallach & Co, and SOS Int’l. We list their web address and phone numbers in the “Travel Info” and “Important Links” sections of the CSA website. Contact them directly.
Send CSA a copy of your insurance card prior to departure. Thank you.
Arrivals
Plan on arriving 1 – 2 days prior to the “Orientation”. Airport pick-up (Santiago) and escort to Vina Del Mar. This is included in the program fee. Staff escort will take you to the host family housing and show you how to get to the school. Thus, please inform us your flight arrival information (Santiago airport) as soon as possible, so we can confirm airport pick-up services. There is a entry fee charged at the Santiago airport to enter Chile. It is approx. $100.
Country Information: (City: Vina Del Mar)
- Language: Chilean Spanish
- Currency: Chilean Peso
- Airport Entry Fee: $100 (approx) paid at the Santiago airport to enter Chile.
- Electricity: 220 volts, 50 cycles.
- Internet Access: Yes…at the student office. Also, nearby internet cafes.
- Seasons: Summer is Dec – Mar. Average summer temp is 68 (F), Winter – 59 (F)
- Public Transportation: Buses – called “Micros”, Taxis, and “Colectivos” (fixed price taxi)
- Religion: 80 percent of Chileans are Roman Catholic
- Health Tips: Be careful with water, uncooked seafood, fruits and vegetables. Boil water.
- Mailing Facility: Use host family’s address. Post offices are located close by.
Registration and Information
Register online. CSA Registration Deposit of $45 USD required to be fully registered. Can pay online by credit card. CSA also accepts personal checks, cashier checks, money orders, wire transfer, or direct deposit. Please review the “Register Overview” section for details. We will send an e-mail confirmation receipt and additional information shortly after receiving your online registration form. Thank you.
