Spanish Studies

Unlock endless opportunities by studying Spanish! As the second most spoken language in the world, mastering Spanish opens doors to a global network of over 500 million people. Bilingual professionals have a competitive edge, with job prospects in fields like business, healthcare, education, technology, climate change and international relations. In fact, bilingual employees can earn up to 20% more than their monolingual counterparts. Beyond career growth, learning Spanish connects you to rich, diverse cultures, giving you the skills to thrive in today’s interconnected world. Don't just learn a language—gain a lifelong advantage!

Conversation Tables

Join your fellow Spanish students to practice your conversational skills in the KA Atrium! Our tables are open to all students, faculty, staff, community members, regardless of their proficiency level, and offer an excellent opportunity to listen to and speak Spanish.

¡Vamos a practicar español!

 

 

Every Thursday!
Latin Horror Film Festival

 Every fall, USF hosts a horror film event featuring gothic monsters from the Caribbean to the Andes, marking a resurgence of horror cinema after years of censorship and silence under dictatorship.This event showcases a selection of short and feature films by young, independent filmmakers who challenge mainstream industry norms.

Every Fall!
La Mateada

"El Mate"(pronounced “MAH-teh”) is a traditional South American beverage with deep cultural significance, particularly in countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. Every spring we gather to learn its cultural significance since Mate is more than just a beverage; it is a social ritual that embodies friendship and community.

 

 

Every Spring!

International Focus

Spanish Studies at USF participates in the Virtual Dual Immersion program (VDI) within the Association of Jesuit Universities in Latin America (AUSJAL) and the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in the U.S. (AJCU). In the VDI program, students participate in synchronous language exchanges made by video call, half in English and half in Spanish. The AUSJAL/AJCU Virtual Dual Immersion (VDI) Program maximizes the strengths of the Jesuit educational mission and its network to establish sustainable partnerships across borders, languages, and cultural divides by improving cross-cultural awareness, increasing communication skills, and building international solidarity.

Useful Resources

Open All

Spanish Writing Center

The Spanish Writing Center is a unique tutorial service that assists students with writing assignments in the Second Year Spanish language classes and beyond. The focus is on elements required to writing an effective essay or research paper: content, organization, language, vocabulary and mechanics. The special one-on-one contact students receive enable them to acquire the necessary writing skills to fulfill assignments and to enhance English writing skills, as well.

The Center is not a correcting or proofreading service. Students are required to actively participate during tutorial sessions with their writing tutors, which involves arriving to each session with specific questions or problem areas they wish to discuss. In addition to answering those questions, tutors will go over a sample paragraphs and give further tips and advice.

 

Contact Professor Perea-Rodriguez to set up an appointment (operearodriguez@usfca.edu).

Sigma Delta Pi

Founded at the University of California, Berkeley in 1919, Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, is a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of South Carolina and headquartered at the College of Charleston.

Per Sigma Delta Pi’s national by-laws, the Society’s purpose/mission is multi-faceted:

1. To honor those who excel in the study of the Spanish language and in the study of the literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking world;
2. To foster an understanding, appreciation and respect for the peoples, cultures and societies of the Spanish-speaking world;
3. To honor those who have promoted and reinforced a better understanding of the contributions of the Spanish-speaking world;
4. To serve its membership in support of the Society’s goals and ideals.

Modified First Year Sequence

The Modified First Year Spanish sequence is specifically designed for students with learning disabilities and/or with demonstrable long-standing difficulties learning a foreign language. This sequence includes the same overall scope and objectives as the other introductory courses but has a reduced number of linguistic functions and employs a differentiated instructional approach. If you think you may be a candidate to take these courses, please contact Professor Karyn Schell for more information and the requirements.

Non-USF Resources

Dictionaries

Grammar Assistance

Listening Comprehension

Cultural

Local Events and Organizations

Volunteer Abroad

Opportunities to Work in Spain

A number of positions as a paid language assistant are now available in Spain for US college students who are native speakers of English. These programs provide an excellent opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the language and culture of Spain, while also gaining valuable work experience as an Assistant to an English teacher in a Spanish elementary or high school.

Magazines

Newspapers

Academic Resources and Professional Organizations