About Spanish for the Workplace
The SMU Spanish for the Workplace program offers an intensive focus on oral proficiency as well as essential training in Latin American/Hispanic cultural norms, business customs and etiquette. In addition to pronunciation, greetings and common conversations, Spanish for the Workplace offers extensive oral practice with emphasis on workplace vocabulary. Additionally, Spanish for the Workplace support materials allow for significant self-study at home or at the office via audio CDs and internet tutorials.
As the primary focus of Spanish for the Workplace is oral proficiency, students learn how to engage in conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions. Through this focus on interpersonal communication, students will grow in their ability to converse in a culturally appropriate manner and to compete and cooperate in a global community.
Spanish for the Workplace utilizes a “whole language” approach, immersing students in the language immediately. The SMU program also employs Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) and Total Physical Response (TPR). Through these methods, participants are actively engaged in the classroom, which further enhances the ability to learn quickly and to retain what is learned. Additionally, research supports that these methods of language acquisition lead to greater retention because they stimulate long-term brain memory.
Spanish for the Workplace is a three-part program, and classes meet once per week over three, 10-week trimesters (30 weeks total). Class sizes are small, allowing for personalized instructor attention and plentiful opportunities to practice the language in class.
Spanish for the Workplace benefits:
- SMU Informal Courses for Adults has a 70-year track record of noncredit community language course excellence
- We offer small class sizes, personal attention and lots of opportunity for in-class conversation
- Our instructors are SMU faculty and expert language teachers
- The SMU program emphasizes oral proficiency, which means that you’ll be able to use what you learn in class—right away!
- Our materials allow for extensive practice at home, at the office, or in the car
- The SMU curriculum is student-centered, meaning that you’ll be able to focus on words and phrases that you need—now!
What makes Spanish for the Workplace different from other Spanish programs?
- Shorter periods of study compared to traditional classroom programs
- Oral proficiency—conversations rather than conjugations
- More “real world” and student-centered vocabulary
- Small class sizes (limited to 15 students) allow for personal attention and lots of opportunity for in-class conversation
- Innovative materials allow for extensive practice at home, the office, or in the car
Noncredit Spanish Programs at SMU
SMU Informal Courses for Adults offers three kinds of noncredit Spanish programs:
- Traditional, “classroom,” Spanish
- Spanish for the Workplace
- Just the Basics!
Click here to compare these programs and to find the right one for you!
Spanish for the Workplace Custom Clients Include:
- JP Morgan Chase
- IKEA
- Thompson & Knight, LLP
- SMU Human Resources
- SMU Meadows School of the Arts
- SMU Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education & Human Development
On campus courses forming now!
Click here to browse courses or register.
To learn about bringing Spanish for the Workplace to your location, please call 214-SMU-THINK.
SMU Informal Courses for Adults: Learn Something New