Approximately 30-35 students are in the Spanish program each year, with 8-10 studying abroad during the year. Introductory courses average 20 students, while advanced courses range from 5-15 students. Small class sizes provide more opportunity for oral practice, as well as frequent field trips to area events and museums.
Spanish is used as much as possible in the classroom, incorporating the receptive skills of listening and reading, as well as the productive skills of speaking and writing. At the beginning and intermediate levels, interdisciplinary topics provide a framework. For example, students may learn about famous artists and popular music or films as they practice basic conversation and begin to study grammar.
At every stage, learners are building on previously learned skills, with Spanish being used exclusively in culture and literature classes. Culture is a major component of learning at all levels, with equal attention to the many and varied cultures of Spain and the Spanish American countries. You are are required to spend a semester studying abroad to hone your skills through an intensive immersion in Spanish.
The community of Crete is also a laboratory for students who wish to practice conversational Spanish. Students are encouraged to interact with local native speakers. Spanish film nights and campus festivities during National Hispanic Heritage Month and the Cinco de Mayo celebration are relaxing ways to "soak up" some of the culture.