Cuenca

Cuenca, the capital of the Province of Azuay, is the third largest city in Ecuador. In December, 1999, it was declared “World Cultural Heritage Site” by UNESCO. Cuenca is very attractive, not only for tourists because of its beauty and favorable climate, but also for foreigners interested in learning the Spanish language.

Geographical Situation and Climate

Cuenca, with a population of approximately 350,000 is set in a high Andean valley 2,530 meters above sea level and boasts four rivers: Tomebamba, Yanuncay, Tarqui, and Machángara.

Situated 2º south and 78º west, Cuenca has only two seasons, the rainy season between October and May and the dry season from June to September. While the lowest temperatures are in July and August, the year-round average is 15 ºC.

Our Program

The Spanish Language Program for Foreigners and as a Second language offers Spanish language courses and specialized courses on Latin American Culture and Literature. It also offers an exchange program that allows college students from all over the world to learn the language and culture in a real context by living with host families in Cuenca. We offer the following levels: beginners, intermediate, and advanced.

Objetives:

• To provide a cultural exchange.
• To offer foreign students and professors a direct comprehension of the cultural diversity in Latin America.
• To provide foreign students and professors with Spanish language practice in its real environment.
• To encourage comprehension and respect for both Latin American town and cities and their individual historical cultures.

University of Cuenca

The University of Cuenca through its Languages Department offers courses and tutorials on Spanish as a foreign language and second language. Specialized courses on Latin American culture and literature and on culture of the indigenous people of the Andes. These courses are complemented with exchange programs with foreign universities that enable students learn the Spanish language and the Latin American culture within a real context.

Certificates

Prices

Courses

Courses for foreign students

Spanish language courses

Intensive Courses

Intensive Spanish language courses of sixty hours, in 6 weeks, Monday through Friday, two hours per day. These courses will be offered only if there are at least five students with the same level of proficiency in the Spanish language.

Courses for Quichua-speaking people

Morphosyntax of the Spanish language

Accommodation

Students can choose among the following options:

• Host Families: students can stay with local families, practice the Spanish language, and learn about our culture.
• Hostals: students can stay at comfortable hostals located a few blocks from the university.
  

Internships and Immersion

They include work at different Schools and Departments of the University, for example in research centres like the Centre of Environmental Studies, the Law Office, etc. and at local governmental organizations and foundations where students can perform activities related to their study field.

Immersion

Tutorials

• Spanish: from one to four students, they are offered year round with a minimum of 20 hours.
• Specialized courses: from one to four students.

Staff and Faculty

All of our courses are in charge of specialized and experienced teachers who belong to the School of Philosophy and to the Language Department.

Coordinators:

General Coordinator:

• Professor: Patricia Galarza

Patricia is an experienced language teacher who has taught Spanish and English as second languages in Ecuador and in the U.S. She is a very cheerful, diligent, and friendly person who enjoys making friends and being in contact with foreigners. She has been in charge of the Spanish Language program for four years.

Specialists in Teaching Spanish as a Second or Foreign Language:

• Specialist: Eulalia Moscoso

At present she is the Director of the Language Department. Known for her hard work and efficiency, she has taught Spanish, English, and French for many years. She has lived in Europe and in the U.S.A. and loves working with people of different cultural backgrounds.

• Specialist:. Ana loja

She is one of the three members of the Spanish Language Program Team. She enjoys working with foreign students and is famous for her environmentally sensitive criteria. She is the best person to assist students interested in internships related to the fields of ecology, biology and ecotourism.

• Specialist: Carmen Moreno

She loves teaching Spanish and English classes. She is a person with many talents especially in ceramics. She is an expert in Pre-Colombian art. She loves to cook and dance and enjoys sharing her skills with other people.

• Specialist: Gladys Moscoso

She has worked as a professional writer for many years. She is very knowledgeable in linguistics.

• Specialist: María Dolores Burbano

Specialist in Teaching Spanish and English as foreign languages. She is very famous for her cheerful and easy-going personality. She has worked as a teacher trainer for many years.

• Specialist: Rosa Avila

Very dynamic and devoted to her work. She always leaves unforgettable memories with her students. She is an expert in Hispanic literature. She also holds a master's degree in the development of educational projects. She has taught Spanish and literaute for many years.

Specialist in Visual Arts:

• Professor: María Tommerback

She is an expert in art and Latin American culture. She speaks Spanish, English, German, and Norwegian. She is very young, dynamic, and friendly.

Master in Cultural Studies:

• Mst. María Augusta Luzuriaga

She has taught Spanish and French for many years. She holds a master's degree in Cultural studies. She loves to accompany her students on their field trips.

Master in Teaching Foreign Languages:

• Mst. Jackie verdugo

Always busy but easy to spot for her broad smile and big, beautiful eyes. She is an outstanding professional who holds a master’s degree in Latin American Literature and PhD studies in linguistics and literature in Spanish. She also has a diploma for studies in pedagogy bestowed by Florida Atlantic University and Panamerican University. She was director of the Cultural Area of Cuenca. She has worked on different projects related to cultural promotion.

• Lcdo. Julio Lojano

He holds a college degree with a major in Intercultural Bilingual Education (Kichwa- Spanish). He has a master’s degree in Management of Educational and Social Projects. He completed a postgraduate program in Teaching Spanish to Foreigners. He recently got an international diploma for his studies in Quality and Equity of Education from “Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación” in Santiago de Chile.

His first language is Kichwa, and he has a deep understanding of the Adean people’s worldview and culture. He has close links with different indigenous communities in the Azuay Province. The students who take our course on Culture and Literature of the indigenous people of the Andes will visit different communities and will have the invaluable support and guide of Julio.

PhD. In Latin American Cultural Studies:

• PhD. Catalina León

She is an expert in Latin American cultural studies. She is one of the people in charge of the specialized lectures. She loves talking to people and learning about other cultures.

Ceramic Classes

• Ceramics and Popular Art
• Recreation of Pre-Colombian Art

Painting, Drawing and Digital Photography Classes

Students interested in art can opt for courses on painting, drawing, and digital photography.

María Eliza Mosquera, the instructor, holds a college degree in Visual Arts, and her works have been exhibited in galleries and museums in the city.

Visits to places of cultural interest

• Participation in programs of community tourism in villages located in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rain Forest. These programs offer internships for students interested in biology, ecotourism, and environmental studies.

• Museums in Puerto López, Manabí exhibiting precolombian artefacts that belonged to the Valdivia culture. This culture settled and flourished 2000 years B.C.

• Podocarpus National Park in Loja is considered one of the richest areas in the world with regard to diversity of birds. Within the park more than 560 species have been identified.
  

  
  It has vast areas of virgin forests and possesses more than 4,000 species of plants. Impressive trees, some measuring up to 40 meters in height can also be found within the park. In addition the park contains more than 100 lagoons and is the habitat of the Spectacled Bear.

• Vilcabamba is a whole valley stretching up through the Podocarpus National Park, the Lake District, and the peaks of the "Cordillera de Los Andes". It is renowned for its unique climate, water, pure air, and quietness that have contributed to the longevity of its habitants.
  

• Otavalo, world-wide famous city for its artisan market - the Plaza de Ponchos - is a beautiful population located north of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Students can learn about the rich and extraordinary customs and traditions of the Otavalan people.

• Archeological museum in situ of Chirije and the Island of the Birds in Bahía de Caráquez, Manabí, in the coast of Ecuador.

Dance Classes

Students taking spanish language classes can complement their courses with dance classes. We offer:

• Andean dances of Ecuador.
• Salsa, cumbia, merengue, etc.

Cooking Classes

This course will help students have a better understanding of Andean culture.  They will learn about the concept of health and life that Andean people have. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the typical food of the coast region and of the Andean region.

This cooking experience will also show students the properties of some medicinal plants, and they will learn how to prepare some traditional dishes such as tamales, chibiles, humitas, ayacas, ají, etc.

Instructor:  Alexandra Moreno