Delivery of this module will be online due to government-issued guidelines during the Covid-19 pandemic and may be made available face-to-face subject to Public Health England recommendations. Please submit your application and, once reviewed by the module leader, you will receive more specific information about the online delivery of your module and assessments.
Start learning Spanish with our Spanish Beginners short course. The course is made up of three parts (parts 1-3), taught at progressive levels. Take one part or enrol on all three to complete the full beginners syllabus.
Whether learning Spanish for travelling, working abroad or with foreign companies, the Spanish Beginners course will enable you to communicate confidently on a basic level in everyday situations, socialise and not feel out of place when visiting Spanish-speaking countries.
This Beginners Spanish short course is an introduction to the language and way of life in Spanish speaking countries. Challenging but rewarding, the course is perfectly suited to those looking to develop a basic command of Spanish.
The full beginners course is made up of three 10-week beginners’ modules – part 1, part 2 and part 3. Enrol on the full syllabus (parts 1-3) to gain a complete knowledge of Spanish for beginners at the best price. Our teaching takes place one evening a week, ideal for those with various commitments or working full-time.
Our language short courses are taught by qualified native speakers and delivered at City, University of London’s main campus, in the heart of the capital.
The course covers the key vocabulary and basic grammar needed to hold conversations with native speakers, such as greetings, talking about yourself and others and also essential phrases to use when visiting a Spanish speaking country.
You will learn how to introduce yourself, your profession and family members, how to describe one’s house, office and items contained therein, how to speak about food and clothes including their colours. You will also learn how to explain modes of transport and itineraries and how to speak about hobbies and interests.
As well as learning to make statements about daily life in Spanish, you also learn how to abstract the relevant information by asking questions and practising these questions and responses in class. In order to build confidence and understand the structure of the language, you will learn articles, verb conjugation, pronunciation, comparatives and superlatives as well as adjectives. Past and future tense are introduced in Modules Two and Three.
If you have no prior knowledge of Spanish you must start with part 1, or the full syllabus (parts 1-3).
If you have some basic knowledge of Spanish and you are already familiar with the content of part 1 you may choose to enrol on part 2 or 3 if you have studied the content of previous modules - see 'What Will I Learn' to check.
If you are a complete beginner and you want to start in January, you can join our Spanish Beginners Parts 1 & 2 Combined which combines part 1 and part 2 in one term.
Please make sure you have the correct level by using our online guidelines.
“ Ana was lovely and helpful. Really enjoyed the course ”
Anon
Former student
“ Ana is an exceptional tutor. She offers fantastic support to students and created a relaxed learning environment, which is perfect for an evening class. ”
Anon
Former student
“ The course was highly engaging and fun to do over the course of a year. I attended face-to-face classes and remote lessons too, which were just as good as the face-to-face classes and sometimes even better, as I was able to learn Spanish from the safety and comfort of my own home. ”
Anon
Former student
Modules are taught at progressive levels, if you have no prior knowledge you must start part 1 or enrol on the full syllabus (parts 1-3).
If you wish to join part 2 of the Spanish Beginners course, you must have completed part 1 or be familiar with the content taught in part 1, specified in the What will I learn? section.
If you wish to enrol on part 3 of the short course, you must have completed both parts 1 and 2 or be familiar with the content taught in these two modules, found in the What will I learn? section.
Please check your level by using our online guidelines before enrolling.
The emphasis in this course is on listening and speaking. The lessons focus on language that is required in authentic situations.
Classroom activities will include:
Listening to audio clips and watching videos are an important element in our lessons.
More comprehensive grammar exercises and reading texts are generally set as homework.
Your progress will be assessed on an on-going basis through homework and performance in class. You will receive verbal feedback from your lecturer when appropriate and written feedback with your homework.
Ele Actual A1
by Virgilio Boribio
Units 1-15 from the textbook are covered in the evening class.
You are advised to purchase a copy of the book, available from most major bookshops.
Ana Belen Rivas Vilar
Ana Belen Rivas Vilar has a BA in English Philology (University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain) and trained at the International House London to teach Spanish to adults (September 2001).
Ana has been working as a Spanish tutor for City University since September 2002 and has taught in various institutions such as the North Hillingdon Adult Education, the International House, The City Lit Institute and Instituto Cervantes since 2004.
Cristina Termenon
Cristina has been teaching at City, University of London for the last ten years, both in the Spanish for Business and Media courses, and the evening Short Courses. She has a Spanish BA (Hons) in Economics and qualified as a teacher with the University of Barcelona accredited Spanish CLTA, and as a trainer (IH Certificate Courses Trainer, London). As well as her extensive experience teaching in different institutions, she has been a teacher trainer since 2007, is an examiner with the IB, and external examiner for the GCSLTA.
