Fall & Spring Semesters


During the School we offer Fall and/or Spring Semesters where attending one or both will be a wonderful experience. Students will be able to take up to five classes (15 credits) from our extensive course list for Fall Semester and Spring Semester in Language, Literature, History and Geography.

This course is complemented by our immersion process with learning outside the classroom, creating a holistic language learning experience. Living with Spanish families allows for constant practice of Spanish and total interaction with the culture. We also organize individual language partners with Spanish students where students can put into practice, in a fun and dynamic way, what they have learned in class.

 đŸŒ Experience the culture of everyday Spanish life as you live and interact with your host family, participate in cultural activities and trips to other cities in Spain.

 âœˆïž Travel Europe on your own or with your friends.

Enroll today and start learning in Valencia with us.

Dates for 2025 Spring Semester

Wednesday, January 15
Home stay accommodations in Valencia begins on this day.

Thursday, January 16
Orientation Meeting.
Walking tour of Valencia

Friday, January 17
Classes begin.

Saturday, January 18
Half day excursion to Albufera Lake.

A freshwater lagoon and estuary on the Gulf of Valencia coast of the Valencian Community in eastern Spain. It is the main portion of the Parc Natural de l’Albufera de ValĂšncia (“Valencian Albufera Natural Park”), with a surface area of 21,120 hectares (52,200 acres). The natural biodiversity of the nature reserve allows a great variety of flora and fauna to thrive and be observed year-round.

Saturday, February 1
Half day excursion to Roman town of Sagunto and Castle.
Sagunto Castle is a fortress overlooking the town of Sagunto, near Valencia in Spain. The site’s history extends back over two thousand years and includes Iberian, Roman and medieval remains. The castle was declared a National Monument in 1931.

February 19 to February 21
Mid-Term examinations.

March 15 to March 19
Festival of “Las Fallas”.

April 7 to April 9
Final examinations.

Wednesday, April 9
Farewell party 🎉.

Thursday, April 10
End of semester. Home stay accommodation in Valencia ends on this day.

Dates for 2025 Fall Semester

Wednesday, September 10
Home stay accommodations in Valencia begins on this day.

Thursday, September 11
Orientation Meeting with the Director and Counselor.
Walking tour of Valencia.

Friday, September 12
Classes begin.

Saturday, September 13
Half day excursion to Albufera Lake.
A freshwater lagoon and estuary on the Gulf of Valencia coast of the Valencian Community in eastern Spain. It is the main portion of the Parc Natural de l’Albufera de ValĂšncia (“Valencian Albufera Natural Park”), with a surface area of 21,120 hectares (52,200 acres). The natural biodiversity of the nature reserve allows a great variety of flora and fauna to thrive and be observed year-round.

Saturday, September 20
Half day excursion to Roman town of Sagunto and Castle.
Sagunto Castle is a fortress overlooking the town of Sagunto, near Valencia in Spain. The site’s history extends back over two thousand years and includes Iberian, Roman and medieval remains. The castle was declared a National Monument in 1931.

October 6 and 7
Mid-Term examinations

October 9 to October 12
National Holiday – Free time to travel

December 1,2 and 3
Final examinations.

Wednesday December 3
Farewell party 🎉.

Thursday December 4
End of semester. Home stay accommodation in Valencia ends on this day.

Courses of Instruction Spring Semester

LD=Lower Division | UD=Upper Division | G=Graduate (Special Arrangements)

SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish (LD)
Review of grammar, composition and conversation. Intensive reading of contemporary texts. Outside assignments and conversation. Classes will be mostly conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: Spanish 101 or 2 years of high school Spanish.

SPAN 202 Intermediate Conversation (LD)
Conversation arranged among students, with the help of the instructor, on assigned topics dealing with contemporary life and culture. Prerequisite: Spanish 102 or the equivalent. To be taken concurrently with Spanish 201.

SPAN 311 Upper Intermediate Spanish (UD)
Study of the more complex grammatical structures: the verbs “ser” and “estar”; use of prepositions; uses of “por” and “para”: the imperative and the subjunctive.

SPAN 312 Upper Intermediate Conversation (UD)
Practical course in which students are encouraged to use the various verb tenses and modes as well as more complex sentences with a richer vocabulary. Preferably to be taken concurrently with SPAN.311.

SPAN 316 Spanish for Professionals (UD / G)
The course is designed to help students meet the changing needs of professionals who are in contact with Spanish-speaking customers. The course addresses situations encountered by front-line workers in a variety of fields (tourism and travel, customer service, call centers, banking), with a special emphasis on health care professions.

SPAN 330B History of Spain II (UD)
Reformism in the XVIII Century. The origins of contemporary Spain. The era of Isabel II and the Revolution (1843-1875). The era of the Bourbon Restoration (1875-1902). Carlism and the Restoration. The XX Century. Political parties.

SPAN 331B History of Spanish-America II (UD / G)
Spain 1492. The beginnings of the Modern Age. Discovery and Conquest of America. The colonization and its problems. The Spanish administration. The culturization of Spanish America. Independence.

SPAN 342 Survey of Spanish Literature II (UD)
From the XVIII Century to Modern Times. The XVIII Century: characteristics. Decline of traditional lyrics and novels. The Neoclassic theater. Lyrics and fabulists. The XIX century. Origins of Romanticism. Romantic lyrics. The Novel: Costumbrismo. Critics of the Romantic Period. Post-Romantic Lyrics. The realistic theater. The realistic novel. The regional novel. The Generation of ’98 and Modernism: the essay and theater. Rejuvenescence of the Generation of ’98. The Generation of ’27: poetry and theater. The Generation of ’36: novel, theater and poetry. The postwar generation: novel, poetry and theater. Outside reading of representative works. Written reports.

SPAN 352B Survey of Spanish-American Literature II (UD / G)
Modernism, Realism, Regionalism and Vanguard. Ruben Dario. The contemporary period: novel, poetry and theater. Neruda, Benedetti, Borges, GarcĂ­a Marquez. Vargas Llosa. Magic realism. Required reading and written assignments.

SPAN 364 Introduction to Hispanic Literature (LD))
Introduction to some of the best authors from Spain and Latin America of the past and present and their outlook on life by reading and reflecting on some their works. Analysis and appreciation of the structural elements typically associated with the various genres (fiction, poetry, essays and drama). Examine and reflect on universal themes and messages and/or in particular what these works want to communicate.

SPAN 401 Advanced Grammar and Written Expression (UD)
Revision and intensive study of the more difficult points of Spanish grammar and their application in written expression.

SPAN 402 Spanish Phonetics (UD)
The pronunciation of the Spanish language as spoken today by the educated people of Spain and Spanish America. Particular emphasis on vowels, consonants, sound changes, intonation of sentences, Spanish American pronunciation. General concepts of phonetics: intensity, quantity, intonation. Articulation drills. Use of phonetic texts and transcriptions. Intonation drills. Etc.

SPAN 403 Advanced Conversation (UD)
Advanced level conversation course where students will be able to put into practice their command of the language. Preferably to be taken concurrently with SPAN.401

SPAN 405 General Translation (UD / G)
Vocabulary and terminology used in literary texts of general interest: newspapers, magazines, news bulletins, prose, etc. Translation from English to Spanish and Spanish to English.

SPAN 406 Advanced Medical Spanish (UD / G)
This course is a Spanish language course geared toward individuals studying or working in health-related areas. The course is devoted to the study of medical Spanish terminology and the cultural issues related to successful interactions with Spanish-speaking patients and their families in the clinical encounter.

SPAN 416 Spanish Literature from the 16th to 20th Century (UD / G)
A study of the literature of the “Golden Age” in the context of the 16th Century society. Including: Lazarillo de Tormes and the great works of Lope de Vega, Calderon de la Barca and the study of the life and works of Miguel de Cervantes with special attention to Don Quijote de la Mancha. 19th Century Spanish literature, including Neo-classicism, Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism and post-Romantic poetry. Works by GaldĂłs, PardoBazĂĄn, Bequer and Blasco Ibañez. Literary and philosophical movements from the “Generation of ’98” to the 1960’s (“Generation of ’98”, “Generation of ’27” and “Generation of ’36”)

SPAN 418 Spanish Literature from the 19th to 21st Century (UD / G)
19th Century Spanish literature, including Neo-classicism, Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism and post-Romantic poetry. Works by GaldĂłs, PardoBazĂĄn, Bequer and Blasco Ibañez. Literary and philosophical movements from the “Generation of ’98” to the 1960’s (“Generation of ’98”, “Generation of ’27” and “Generation of ’36”).
Post-war literature and social literature. The writers of present-day Spain and their work. A study of contemporary authors including: Rosa RegĂĄs, Javier MarĂ­as, Paloma PedrerĂł, Jose Luis Alonso de Santos, Els Joglars, FelĂ­pe Benitez and Ana Rosetti.

SPAN 440 Present Day Spain (UD / G)
As the title indicates, this course is a round table discussion class about the various facets of Spain: political, economical, cultural, educational, etc.

SPAN 451 Sociolinguistics (UD / G)
This course offers upper-division undergraduate students an introduction to the field of sociolinguistics for non-linguistics majors. The course reviews general topics in sociolinguistics, such as ethnicity, social strata, immigration, demographics, and how these categories affect language phenomena. The course makes special emphasis on classroom instruction of minority students.

Courses of Instruction Fall Semester

LD=Lower Division | UD=Upper Division | G=Graduate (Special Arrangements)

SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish (LD)
Review of grammar, composition and conversation. Intensive reading of contemporary texts. Outside assignments and conversation. Classes will be mostly conducted in Spanish. Prerequisite: Spanish 101 or 2 years of high school Spanish.

SPAN 202 Intermediate Conversation (LD)
Conversation arranged among students, with the help of the instructor, on assigned topics dealing with contemporary life and culture. Prerequisite: Spanish 102 or the equivalent. To be taken concurrently with Spanish 201.

SPAN 311 Upper Intermediate Spanish (UD)
Study of the more complex grammatical structures: the verbs ‘ser’ and ‘estar’; use of prepositions; uses of ‘por’ and ‘para’: the imperative and the subjunctive.

SPAN 312 Upper Intermediate Conversation (UD)
Practical course in which students are encouraged to use the various verb tenses and modes as well as more complex sentences with a richer vocabulary. Preferably to be taken concurrently with SPAN.311.

SPAN 316 Spanish for Professionals (UD / G)
The course is designed to help students meet the changing needs of professionals who are in contact with Spanish-speaking customers. The course addresses situations encountered by front-line workers in a variety of fields (tourism and travel, customer service, call centers, banking), with a special emphasis on health care professions.

SPAN 330A History of Spain I (UD)
Geography Prehistory. Primitive Spain. Roman and Visigothic Spain. Moslem Spain. The Reconquest. The Catholic Kings. The Spanish domination during the XVI Century. The Spanish crisis of the XVII Century.

SPAN 331A History of Spanish-America I (UD / G)
Aerica as a cultural unity; geographical background. Cultures of the Mayans, Incas and Aztecs. Hispanidad; outline of Spanish culture. Discovery and conquest of America. Colonization, culturization of Spanish-America. Independence.

SPAN 335A History of Spanish Art I (UD)
Introduction. Prehistoric art: Paleolithic and Neolithic. Spanish-Romanic art. Pre-Romanic art. Spanish-Moslem Art. The great international styles of the Middle Ages and its special Spanish version. A comparative study of the Romanic and Gothic styles. Romanic art: its beginnings and evolution in architecture, sculpture and painting. Santiago de Compostela. Gothic art.

SPAN 341 Survey of Spanish Literature I (UD)
Historical background. Primitive poetry. The beginning of prose. The literature of the XIV Century. The XV Century. Humanism. The theater: its origins. Period of the Catholic Kings. The Renaissance. El Romancero. The pastoral novel. Introduction to the Siglo de Oro. The new poetry .Epic poetry of the Renaissance. The theater before Lope. Chivalric books. Cervantes. The Picaresque Novel. The Baroque. The Conceptismo. The School of Calderon. Outside reading of representative works. Written reports.

SPAN 352A Survey of Spanish Literature I (UD)
“Las cronicas” and the Colonial. Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz and the Baroque period and the struggle for independence. Romanticism . Peruvian Costumbrismo. R. Palma.The XIX Century before Modernism.

SPAN 364 Introduction to Hispanic Literature (LD))
Introduction to some of the best authors from Spain and Latin America of the past and present and their outlook on life by reading and reflecting on some their works. Analysis and appreciation of the structural elements typically associated with the various genres (fiction, poetry, essays and drama). Examine and reflect on universal themes and messages and/or in particular what these works want to communicate.

SPAN 401 Advanced Grammar and Written Expression (UD)
Revision and intensive study of the more difficult points of Spanish grammar and their application in written expression.

SPAN 402 Spanish Phonetics (UD)
The pronunciation of the Spanish language as spoken today by the educated people of Spain and Spanish America. Particular emphasis on vowels, consonants, sound changes, intonation of sentences, Spanish American pronunciation. General concepts of phonetics: intensity, quantity, intonation. Articulation drills. Use of phonetic texts and transcriptions. Intonation drills. Etc.

SPAN 403 Advanced Conversation (UD)
Advanced level conversation course where students will be able to put into practice their command of the language. Preferably to be taken concurrently with SPAN.401

SPAN 405 General Translation (UD / G)
Vocabulary and terminology used in literary texts of general interest: newspapers, magazines, news bulletins, prose, etc. Translation from English to Spanish and Spanish to English.

SPAN 406 Advanced Medical Spanish (UD / G)
This course is a Spanish language course geared toward individuals studying or working in health-related areas. The course is devoted to the study of medical Spanish terminology and the cultural issues related to successful interactions with Spanish-speaking patients and their families in the clinical encounter.

SPAN 416 Spanish Literature from the 16th to 20th Century (UD / G)
A study of the literature of the “Golden Age” in the context of the 16th Century society. Including: Lazarillo de Tormes and the great works of Lope de Vega, Calderon de la Barca and the study of the life and works of Miguel de Cervantes with special attention to Don Quijote de la Mancha. 19th Century Spanish literature, including Neo-classicism, Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism and post-Romantic poetry. Works by GaldĂłs, PardoBazĂĄn, Bequer and Blasco Ibañez. Literary and philosophical movements from the “Generation of ’98” to the 1960’s (“Generation of ’98”, “Generation of ’27” and “Generation of ’36”)

SPAN 418 Spanish Literature from the 19th to 21st Century (UD / G)
19th Century Spanish literature, including Neo-classicism, Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism and post-Romantic poetry. Works by GaldĂłs, PardoBazĂĄn, Bequer and Blasco Ibañez. Literary and philosophical movements from the “Generation of ’98” to the 1960’s (“Generation of ’98”, “Generation of ’27” and “Generation of ’36”).
Post-war literature and social literature. The writers of present-day Spain and their work. A study of contemporary authors including: Rosa RegĂĄs, Javier MarĂ­as, Paloma PedrerĂł, Jose Luis Alonso de Santos, Els Joglars, FelĂ­pe Benitez and Ana Rosetti.

SPAN 440 Present Day Spain (UD / G)
As the title indicates, this course is a round table discussion class about the various facets of Spain: political, economical, cultural, educational, etc.

SPAN 451 Sociolinguistics (UD / G)
This course offers upper-division undergraduate students an introduction to the field of sociolinguistics for non-linguistics majors. The course reviews general topics in sociolinguistics, such as ethnicity, social strata, immigration, demographics, and how these categories affect language phenomena. The course makes special emphasis on classroom instruction of minority students.

Important information

Requirements

For beginners: Lower Division courses
– No previous coursework necessary.

For intermediate/advanced students: Upper Division courses
– Two years of college Spanish or equivalent.
– 2.5 GPA
– Study Abroad Approval Form.
– Faculty Recommendation Form.
– Transcript of your college work.

Credits

Credits are expressed in semester hours. For the School Year program students will be allowed to take a maximum of 15 units (credits) per semester. 
Summer Session students will be allowed to take a maximum of 9 units (credits) per session
Teachers should check with their Board of Education to make certain that credits will be accepted. 
College students should check with the Registrar of the University to which credits are to be transferred in order to avoid problems with the acceptance of credits.

Classes

Classes are held daily during the morning and/or afternoon at the Institute of Spanish Studies’ own building located at El Bachiller, 13, Valencia, Spain. 
Classes are conducted by experienced Spanish university professors and are specially designed for American students; given in accordance with the American system of teaching. Lectures for all courses are in Spanish unless otherwise stated. 
During the summer sessions, courses meet for 1 1/2 hours daily from Monday to Friday. During the Fall Semester and Spring Semester courses meet 3 hours a week. Class attendance and examinations are compulsory. 
The Institute of Spanish Studies reserves the right to cancel or change any courses.

Attendance

Class attendance is compulsory. All absences are recorded and form part of the student’s final record. Those whose absences in any course exceed 15% of the scheduled meeting of the class will not be admitted to the final examination and a grade of F will be recorded.

Examinations

Mid-term examinations in each course are held and a grade is given indicating the progress of the student. Final examinations are compulsory for all courses.

Transcripts

Transcripts will be issued upon request by the Institute of Spanish Studies:
c/ El Bachiller, 13, 46010-Valencia, Spain
Phone +34 96 369-6168; Fax +34 96 361-5189
email info@issvalencia.com.

Text Books

Books are sold at the school during the first days of class. Students should budget around $120.00 for texts depending on the courses taken.

Discipline

All students are expected to conduct themselves in good behavior. The administration of the Institute are authorized to exercise full control in matters of discipline, including the right to expel any student whose moral or academic behavior warrants such a measure.

Activities

During the school term as well as the Summer Sessions, occasional Saturday excursions to nearby places have been planned as described in the program. These excursions are included in the program fee for students and will always be chaperoned by a professor. 
Valencia offers a wide variety of cultural activities such as lectures, concerts, festivals and museums. Visits and activities are organized throughout the summer and the school year for your academic growth and personal enjoyment.

Financial Information

Fall Semester 2024: September 11 to December 5

Spring Semester 2025: January 15 to April 10

– 3 courses (9 credits): $10,235.00

– 4 courses (12 credits) $10,580.00

– 5 courses (15 credits) $10,925.00

Prices include:
– Medical Insurance. 
– Excursions as stated in the program.
– Tuition for Fall and/or Spring Semesters, with a maximum of 15 semester hours of credit per semester.
– Room and full board  (breakfast, lunch and dinner) in private homes during the school term
 ( Fall 2024: September 11 to December 5, Spring 2025: January 15 to April 10)

Not included:

Not included:

– Air transportation, Excess Baggage charges, Local Transportation, Personal Expenses, Optional trips.

Refund Policy

In case of cancellation by the student, this refund policy is necessary to cover the large amount of non-refundable deposits that the Institute must pay in advance to the suppliers of services.

Before commencement of classes
– If rejected or up to 75 days before departure: Full refund

– Between 75 and 45 days before departure: $250 cancellation fee.

– Between 45 and 15 days before departure: $500 cancellation fee.

– Between 15 days and departure: $1000 cancellation fee.

After departure/commencement of classes
– Tuition: No refund
– Room and Board: Refund is $20 per unused day of room and board.