Methodology and evaluation

Methodology

The methodology for our Spanish courses is based on a communicative approach because we believe that the most important aspect of our classes is for you to be able to speak and understand Spanish in the real world. For this reason, the classes are entirely in Spanish, allowing you to put your knowledge into practice both inside and outside the classroom.

We aim to help you become an independent language user, guiding you in acquiring and improving you comprehension and oral skills as well as written expression through grammar, vocabulary and socio-cultural elements of the language.

You will acquire these skills in a relaxed atmosphere and with the company of people from different cultures and nationalities.

To identify your specific needs, we incorporate level testing as well as the advice of our teachers and Director of Studies. You can opt for private lessons which are tailored to meet your specific needs.

Also, to emphasize the importance of socio-cultural aspects of the language, we offer classes based on themes that are prevalent in the Hispanic world.

Levels on our Spanish Courses

Beginner (A1-A1+)

At this level, you learn the language forms necessary to meet your most basic needs: giving and asking for personal information, getting by in shops and restaurants, asking for and giving directions, identifying people and places, talking about likes, showing agreement or disagreement or discussing daily life.

It is important that you can communicate in everyday situations, such as in bars, restaurants, supermarkets, in class, on public transport, etc.

For these reasons, you will study the grammar, and language you need in such context. These include nouns and adjectives, prepositions, the present tense, adverbs of frequency, the time, etc.

Elementary (A2)

In this course, you will increase your confidence to function in everyday situations and learn how to narrate and explain the events of your daily lives.

At the end of this level, you will be able to manage in basic communicative situations with the tools necessary to express moods and physical feelings, ask and give more detailed personal information and opinions, talk about housing, employment status and food, and explain about what you have done or your current plans.

Grammar studied at this level includes verb tenses such as the past, the future, comparatives and superlatives and uses of “ser” and “estar” (the verb to be in Spanish).

Intermediate (B1)

At this level, you acquire the necessary skills to produce more accurate language. In addition, you will begin to become more confident in the socio-cultural uses of the language.

You will acquire the resources needed to explain events in the past and present, and comment on a topic, talk about movies or books, give instructions, look for a job, etc.

You will develop your oral and written skills through texts such as advertisements, job posts, housing ads, short articles, storylines in the context of artistic work, etc.

Higher level grammar topics will be covered, including the contrast between different forms of the past tense, conditionals, present subjunctive, direct and indirect objects, etc.

Intermediate (B2)

The upper intermediate level is characterised by a higher understanding of cultural elements such as idioms, words from different jargons, Hispanic celebrations, etc.

You will acquire the necessary skills to understand and express yourself in oral contexts, formal and informal writing, provide details and nuances in varying situations and provide feedback. Developing your fluency and your pronunciation is also important.

Some grammatical concepts at this level are expanded using the present subjunctive, imperfect subjunctive, conditionals, etc.

Advanced (C1)

At the advanced level, you will improve your ability to understand more complex things like movies, literary texts, newspaper articles, etc.

Additional cultural topics and everyday life will be dealt with through texts related to the media. You will learn to argue, support and rebut ideas, and grasp both general and detailed information from oral and written texts.

The topics covered in class are determined according to the needs and interests of students.

DELE EXAMS

What are the DELE exams?

The DELE (Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) exams are official exams organised by the Cervantes Institute and the University of Salamanca.

There are 6 DELE levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 that are scheduled at different times throughout the year.

Why the DELE?

The DELE exams are the only internationally recognised Spanish exams. Furthermore, they may be required to apply to academic institutions, in order to progress professionally or to obtain Spanish nationality.

The DELE exams test the range of skills that students will need to use Spanish in the real world.

Examination Sessions

There are different exam sessions organised by level. Some students may be examined at all levels and in others only a few.

DELE Exam Dates

Our courses

Our DELE courses are conceived and designed to prepare for the DELE exams. These intensive courses last for 4 weeks with 2 hours of class, Monday through Thursday (32 hours total) with a small group of students. This way, we can ensure that our students practice the range of skills that are incorporated in the DELE exams.

DELE preparation courses at Oxford House Barcelona

Methods and Evaluation

Our Methods

The primary challenge for you is to communicate effectively in the language. Our teachers, therefore, place emphasis on helping you to practice this. You will take part in communication activities which reflect how you need to use the language outside class. For example, you will often work in pairs or small groups to take part in role-plays or simulations, have discussions, recount events and so on. The teacher will give you feedback on your performance and input on vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation which will help you improve. This will include explanations of new language and written and oral practice exercises to consolidate. Classes are conducted in Spanish, though teachers and students sometimes use translation where it is helpful.

Teachers use a variety of materials designed for teaching from course books and the internet, as well as authentic materials (from sources such as newspaper websites and YouTube), which they adapt for the group. Teachers set and monitor homework tasks to complement classroom learning. This is managed through our online platform MS Teams, where you join a group for your class and can communicate with your teacher and classmates, participate in homework tasks and review class contents if you miss a class.

Our Syllabus

Our teachers are guided in their choice of content for their classes by the needs of the students and by established programmes in course books and the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Courses are designed according to the students’ levels and language needs. We offer a range of class types in Spanish: preparing students for official Spanish exams –DELE-. We offer a range of intensive programmes of up to 10 hours per week and extensive programmes of 3 hours a week.

Our Assessment Procedures

In order to make sure everyone is progressing at a suitable pace the teachers will conduct out continuous assessment and evaluation throughout the course.

You will be continually assessed through progress tests and regular feedback from the teacher carried out approximately every 30 hours.

Our School in Barcelona

Oxford House is located 1 minute from Passeig de Gràcia, in the heart of Barcelona, and offers spacious, modern facilities easily reachable by a range of transport options. And what’s more, you can take time out relaxing in the sun or under the shade of the palm trees in our beautiful two-level garden .

Our 1000m2 centre has 23 classrooms fully equipped with computers, projectors, and/or smart TV, as well as air conditioning and heating. We also have dedicated study spaces, and a library with a wide range of books in Spanish to really practice your Spanish.