Language Programs: Spanish

Spanish for International students:

Our approach gives especial attention to communication strategies that can give our students greater confidence to use the language. Grammar is provided along with meaningful and purposeful classroom activities. The language-culture connection is essential to our program and to our commitment to society. Our classroom materials have been mostly created at Ollin within a framework that acknowledges the importance of culture in communication.

Spanish classes at our center are personalized, offered either one-on-one or in small groups. This gives greater attention to your individual language needs and allows time for cultural components to be included. As part of our courses, students can visit various museums and art galleries, traditional markets and some of the most representative villages in the area.

It is our goal that your courses at Ollin Tlahtoalli provide you with a real immersion experience that goes beyond the classroom setting.

Content Classes: **

a) Mexican History: Learn about Mesoamerican cultures, their development and some of their most significant cultural practices. Understand the Spanish conquest and its impact in Mexican culture. What was the Mexican revolution like from a critical perspective? Who were the many actors involved? What is the current understanding of all these important historical events in Mexico? What is the connection between the Mexican Revolution and contemporary social movements in Chiapas and Oaxaca?

b) Mexican Literature: Through narrative, poetry and short essays of some of the most important Mexican authors, students in this class will enhance their understanding of the language and Mexican culture. Students taking this class will increase their writing skills, for this is a course that nicely connects reading and writing within an informed and critical approach to literacy and literature.

c) Mexico through Cinematography: Through a series of classic and contemporary Mexican films, documentaries, short films, authentic readings and class discussions, students in this class will engage in a learning process through visual narratives.

d) Photography: Work with a Oaxacan professional photographer and improve your shooting techniques as well of your understanding of the visual landscape in Oaxaca and its connection to social issues. This is a very practical course where participants explore their own understanding of culture and its connection to concepts of identity, subjectivity, language and communication.   (afternoon class)

These content classes are offered in Spanish and require a good understanding of spoken Spanish and the writing skills to write short essays.

For more information on these courses, fees and dates, please contact us directly at: info@ollinoaxaca.org.mx

* these course are offered mostly during the winter and summer upon request
* A minimum of three students is required to offer these courses

Zapotec Classes:

Zapotec is the most widely spoken indigenous language in Oaxaca with many different varieties all over the state. We offer classes of the Zapotec spoken in the central valley of Oaxaca. These courses are offered upon request, mostly in the afternoons.

If you are interested in studying Spanish with us please contact us at:

info@ollinoaxaca.org.mx      and/or    ollinoax3@gmail.com

Last updated: january, 2012