teach in spain - UW Study Abroad

academic information
64 academic information
COURSE SELECTION ACCORDING TO LANGUAGE LEVEL
LA students are divided into different levels of advanced Spanish based upon the results of the online
language placement test (OLPT). This allows students to enroll in language and content classes which
best fit their needs while studying in Seville. During the regular university session, students register in
a minimum of four classes. Students may not register in more than 18 credit hours for the semester.
Remember! What is most important is your language level when you finish the program, not
when you start it.
• Liberal Arts A—These students score well above the average on the OLPT. Students in this
group, about 20% on average each semester, take CIEE courses, advanced Cursos and
regular university classes. The OLPT Coordinator encourages students to take an advanced
Spanish language or linguistics class offered by CIEE during the regular university session.
• Liberal Arts B—These students score around the average on the OLPT, approximately 60% of
LA students. Students in this group take classes from among those offered by CIEE, advanced
Cursos classes and, in special cases, one regular university class. The OLPT Coordinator recommends
which Spanish language class to take during the regular university session.
• Liberal Arts C—These students score well below the average on the OLPT, about 20% of all
LA students. Students in this group are recommended to take their classes through Cursos
(advanced and regular) and are required to take a CIEE Spanish writing class specially designed
to help students with their content classes as it focuses on writing within the academic
setting. The OLPT Coordinator works closely with you and your language professors to make
sure that you have the support you need to perform well in your content classes. You may not
opt out of this class. If you do not receive transfer credit for the class, then you may take a total
of five classes during the regular session.
We encourage all LA students to continue with classes in Spanish language for the entire semester
as improving language skills is usually a primary objective for students studying abroad.
Students with excellent Spanish language skills and a solid academic background in a specific
area are encouraged to take regular university classes with Spaniards. Resident Staff help you
select a class which best meets your academic objectives. Students studying for the academic
year are highly encouraged to take at least one class during the fall semester and more during
the spring semester. Students who have done so have been very pleased with their academic
achievements, linguistic improvement, and social integration.
NOTE: Please check with Resident Staff concerning the offering of classes at the Universidad
de Sevilla and Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO). Professors tend to be more flexible on early
exams before the Christmas break for fall semester students.
LANGUAGE LEVELS
• CIEE classes are designed for students with solid linguistic capabilities. Students in these
classes have similar language levels and the professor directs the class to the highest language
level in the class, not the lowest nor the average.
ATTENDANCE
• CIEE professors demand your attendance in class and it is factored into your final grade. The
syllabus has a clearly stated policy on absences.
• Professors from the Universidad de Sevilla expect you to attend class. However, there is
no clear policy as to how lack of attendance will affect your final grade; it depends on the
individual professor. NOTE: Even though professors do not make you sign in every class day
(pasar lista), they do note your absences on the fichas. Please do not be fooled into thinking
that attendance is not important in these classes.
SIZE
• CIEE classes average less than 20 students.
Cursos • classes average about 30 or more students. Regular university classes may have upwards
of 60 students.