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Learning Spanish in Chicago
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Certification Exams at Instituto Cervantes Chicago
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Cultural Activities in Chicago
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José Emilio Pacheco Library
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Instituto Cervantes of Chicago
- Instituto Cervantes
- E-stados Unidos
- Chicago
- Enseñar
TEACHING SPANISH IN Chicago
Training Courses for Teachers
The design of the training activities for Spanish teachers at the Instituto Cervantes in Chicago is based on a vision of what the teacher must know how to do, that is, on a broad conception of teaching competence. In line with the assumptions of the Council of Europe in the field of teacher training - manifested in documents such as the European Portfolio for Student Teachers of Languages (EPOSTL) or the competence profiles proposed by the European Association for the Quality of Language Services (EAQUALS)—, we can affirm that the teaching competence of the Spanish teacher includes a set of knowledge, skills —teaching, professional, communication, intercultural and learning— and attitudes of a diverse nature, as well as the ability to integrate everything this in their performance as a teacher, both when planning teaching, developing it and evaluating it in a specific context, as well as when reflecting on the teaching and learning process itself.
We have started from this definition of teaching competence to articulate the offer of training activities presented in this program and to propose a training based on the development of competences, which addresses two dimensions: the personal construction of knowledge or sub-competences underlying it and improvement of teaching performance. Thus, the identification of sub-competences that make up the teaching competence is reflected in a planning of courses that attends to different training areas:
- Communicative competence and communicative activities of the language.
- The cultural component in the teaching and learning of languages.
- Approaches in the teaching and learning of languages.
- Planning and evaluation of the teaching and learning process.
- Resources and classroom dynamics.
- Teaching and learning contexts.
- Professional development.
We trust that our program will help Spanish teachers, today and tomorrow. We hope that the approaches reflected in this new course program contribute to improving the quality of teaching and bring our training activities closer to a greater number of language teaching professionals.
¿How can I register?
- Register from home through our online enrollment service.
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Contact us at 312-335-1996 to make your payment by credit card.
Phone and in-person service hours: Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Our center’s office hours are: Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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The course fee must be paid in full before the course begins. Enrollment is non-transferable to another person or semester. Enrollment cannot be finalized until payment has been received.
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Payment may be made by bank transfer, credit card, or check payable to the Instituto Cervantes.
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Advance reservations or deposits are not accepted.
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Payment of the enrollment fee implies acceptance of these terms and conditions.
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The minimum age to enroll in a course is 16 years old (except for courses specifically designed for children and adolescents).
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Students are required to attend classes. It is not possible to attend another course to make up for a missed class.
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Classes are taught in Spanish from the beginner level onward.
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Instituto Cervantes classes may occasionally include teachers in training. This always takes place under the supervision of the course instructor.
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The library card is free of charge for students.
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Books and materials are not included in the enrollment fee for regular courses. In some cases, instructors provide materials free of charge.
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Discounts must be requested at the time of enrollment. Once enrollment has been processed, no discounts can be applied.
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Enrollment is binding. Enrollment fees are refundable only if requested by the student in writing up to one week before the course start date. A $50 processing fee applies to all refunds. To receive a refund, students must submit their request in writing before the cancellation deadline by email at info.chicago@cervantes.org or by fax at 312.587.1992.
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No partial refunds will be issued for missed classes, and missed classes cannot be made up.
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The Instituto Cervantes reserves the right to cancel the opening of courses if the minimum number of students is not reached or due to force majeure circumstances. In both cases, the full enrollment fee will be refunded.
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The Instituto Cervantes reserves the right to assign a substitute instructor if necessary.
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Fees are reviewed annually. If a price increase is applied, it will take effect from September of the corresponding academic year. Any increase will be communicated one month in advance.
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The Instituto Cervantes is responsible for evaluating students and issuing certificates in accordance with its official regulations.
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Unfortunately, compensation cannot be offered for classes missed due to unforeseen circumstances (snowstorms, red alerts, evacuation drills, etc.).
Discounts
Because our students matter to us, we always strive to offer the best service at the most affordable price.
- Members of the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago can enjoy a 10% discount on course fees.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
You can enroll in our adult and teen courses from home through our online enrollment platform.
You can also complete your enrollment at our reception desk (please check our office hours) or by phone. Please read the enrollment terms and conditions carefully before registering.
The Instituto Cervantes uses a competency-based approach focused on developing practical skills. Its teacher training methodology not only provides theoretical knowledge but also emphasizes the development of the practical abilities needed to perform effectively in the classroom, integrating theory and practice from the very beginning.
This training model, applied in both in-person and online courses, focuses on the following key areas:
- Communicative competence: Teachers learn how to manage communicative activities and immerse students in the cultural dimension of the Spanish-speaking world.
- Applied teaching methodology: This includes planning the teaching process, creating classroom dynamics, assessing learning, and promoting student autonomy.
- Use of new technologies: Teachers are trained to incorporate Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into their daily teaching practice.
- Emotional management: Teachers develop skills to manage emotions in the classroom and facilitate intercultural communication.
In most teacher training courses, it is not necessary to purchase a textbook. The instructor will provide the teaching materials needed for the development of the course.
In cases where a specific publication is required, this will be clearly indicated in the information provided for the corresponding course.
The price of teacher training courses varies depending on their duration, format, and specific characteristics. In general, fees range from $100 to $400 USD.
The fee for each course is detailed in its corresponding course information page. We recommend reviewing the specific information for each course offering before registering.
- Members of the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago can enjoy a 10% discount.
Enrollment is binding. Enrollment fees are refundable only if requested by the student in writing up to one week before the course start date. A $50 processing fee applies to all refunds. To receive a refund, students must submit their request in writing before the cancellation deadline by email at info.chicago@cervantes.org or by fax at 312.587.1992.
Cancellations by phone or regular mail will not be accepted. Requests received after the refund deadline will not be granted under any circumstances. Once classes have started, enrollment fees cannot be prorated or transferred to another course session.
Students are encouraged to make sure they are able to attend the course before registering.
Yes. The minimum number of students required to open an online course is five, and for an in-person course, six.
The maximum number of students per class is 12 for both in-person and online courses. However, in exceptional circumstances and depending on the specific needs of the course, the Instituto Cervantes of Chicago reserves the right to open a course with slightly more or fewer students.