Learn Spanish at UP School!
The UP School has its Spanish courses oriented towards language learning and preparation for the DELE A2 exams, the DELE exam B1 and the DELE B2 exam, improving the different components of the language: understanding of reading, listening comprehension, written expression and oral interaction.
Through the UP School, official exams are taken to obtain the most prestigious international knowledge of Spanish: the DELE Spanish diplomas and the SIELE International Spanish Language Assessment Service certificate. Therefore, we provide our students and all interested parties with the possibility to study and officially certify their knowledge of the Spanish language!
Annual Courses
The annual Spanish courses at UP School can be 60 or 90 hours, taught once or twice a week at various times (2 to 3 hours per week). The duration of the course depends on the level the student attends. These courses are available face-to-face at our centres, at a distance or online.
The annual Spanish courses follow a study plan whose syllabus is oriented towards a solid preparation of students for international exams, improving all components of the language. These exams are carried out internationally by thousands of students, and a certificate is awarded.
These courses take place during the school year, from mid-September to the end of June and the UP School classes every month. During the 2-hour sessions, the different components of the language are worked on. At the end of the school year, students take a written test and an oral presentation.
We work with small groups, between 4 and 6 students per class. Our teachers speak Spanish from the first minute. The UP School promotes the teaching of Spanish and the co-official languages of Spain, as well as helping to increase the employability of those who want to live in Spanish-speaking countries around the world.
We also prepare for the following exams:
DELE
The Spanish diplomas DELE are official certificates that assess the level of competence and mastery of the Spanish language, awarded by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.
DELEs are the only titles of the Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Spain with an international scope. These certificates are essential for students who intend to apply for scholarships and specialization or internships in Spain and other Spanish-American countries.
DELE Diplomas cover the 6 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. All DELE Diplomas, whether general or academic, have official validity, indefinite validity and international recognition. The exam calls are held in the months of May and November.
For registration dates and conditions, contact the UP School Secretary.
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
| Level 1 (INITIALIZATION) |
LEVEL 2 (THRESHOLD) |
LEVEL 3 (INDEPENDENT) |
LEVEL 4 (ADVANCED) |
LEVEL 5 (SUPERIOR) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 | |
| Spanish | Initial Spanish Certificate (CIE) | Basic Spanish Diploma (DBE) | Superior Diploma of Spanish (DSE) | |||
| MCER Levels | DELE exams for students (from 11 to 17 years old) |
DELE exams (for candidates aged 16 and over) |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | DELE A1 for students | DELE A1 |
| A2 | DELE A2/B1 for students | DELE A2 |
| B1 | DELE B1 | |
| B2 | DELE B2 | |
| C1 | DELE C1 | |
| C2 | DELE C2 |
| Level Groups | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| [A] Basic or Elementary User / Basic or Elementary Speaker |
[A1] Initiation or Discovery |
Understand and use familiar everyday expressions as well as basic phrases aimed at satisfying specific needs. Introduce yourself and answer questions about details of your personal life, such as where you live, people you know or things you own. Interact in a simple way with natives as long as they speak slowly, clearly and are willing to help. |
| [A2] Elementary or Platform |
Understand phrases and expressions related to areas familiar to the user, such as basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment. Simply communicate in familiar situations that require short, accurate information exchange. Describe in a superficial way aspects of your knowledge, the environment in which you live and your immediate needs. |
|
| [B] Independent User / Independent Speaker |
[B1] Threshold or Intermediate |
Understand the main points about everyday matters such as work, school and leisure. Can handle everyday situations in the country where the language is spoken (tourist trip). Produce simple texts on familiar areas of interest. Describe experiences, events, dreams, desires and ambitions. In addition, it can also give limited opinions on plans and discussions. |
| [B2] Advantage or Upper Intermediate (or Post Intermediate) / Independent |
Understand the main ideas of complex texts that deal with both concrete and abstract topics, including higher (or Post-intermediate) texts of a technical nature if they are in their area of specialization. Interact with native speakers with a sufficient degree of fluency and naturalness so that communication takes place without effort on the part of the interlocutors. Produce clear and detailed texts on different topics, as well as defend a point of view on general topics, indicating advantages and disadvantages of the various options. |
|
| [C] Proficient User / Proficient Speaker |
[C1] Advanced or Effective Operational Proficiency (or Autonomy) |
Understand a wide variety of extensive texts with a certain level of demand, as well as recognize implicit meanings and ideas in them. He knows how to express himself fluently and spontaneously without showing much effort to find a suitable word or expression. Can make effective use of the language for social, academic and professional purposes. Produce clear, well-structured and detailed texts on topics of some complexity, showing the correct use of the mechanisms of organization, articulation and cohesion of the text. |
| [C2] Mastery or Proficient / Full Mastery |
Easily understand virtually everything heard and read. Reconstruct information and arguments from different sources, whether in spoken or written language, and present them in a coherent and summarized manner. Express himself spontaneously with great fluency and with a degree of precision that allows him to differentiate small nuances or nuances of meaning, even in situations of greater complexity. |
| Level | Understand | Speak | Write | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding | Understanding | Oral interaction | Expression | Expression | |
| A1 | Recognize very basic commonly used words and expressions relating to myself, my family and my immediate environment when spoken slowly and clearly. | Understand familiar words and names and very simple phrases, for example those on signs, posters and catalogues. | Participate in a conversation simply, whenever the other person is willing to repeat what I said or say it in other words and at a slower speed, and help me formulate what I am trying to say. I ask and answer simple questions on topics of immediate need or very common topics. | Use simple expressions and phrases to describe the place where I live and the people I know. | Eu sou capaz de escrever postais curtos e simples, por exemplo para enviar parabéns. Sei preencher formulários com dados pessoais, por exemplo, o meu nome, a minha nacionalidade e a minha morada no formulário de registo do hotel. |
| A2 | Understand common phrases and vocabulary on topics of personal interest (very basic personal and family information, shopping, place of residence, employment). I can capture the main idea of brief, clear and simple warnings and messages. | Can read very short and simple texts. I can find specific and predictable information in simple, everyday writings such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus and timetables, and I understand brief, simple personal letters. | Can communicate in simple and usual tasks that require a simple and direct exchange of information on everyday activities and issues. I am capable of very brief social exchanges, although I usually cannot understand enough to carry on the conversation on my own. | Use a series of expressions and phrases to describe, in simple terms, my family and other people, my living conditions, my educational background and my current or last job. | Can write short, simple notes and messages relating to my immediate needs. I can write very simple personal letters, for example thanking someone for something. |
| B1 | Understand the main ideas when the speech is clear and normal and everyday matters are addressed at work, school, during leisure time, etc. Understand the main idea of many radio or television programs dealing with current issues or matters of personal or professional interest, when the articulation is relatively slow and clear. |
Understand texts written in a language used in everyday life or related to work. I understand the description of events, feelings and desires in personal letters. |
How to develop myself in almost all situations that arise when I travel to where that language is spoken. I can spontaneously participate in a conversation that deals with everyday topics of personal interest or that are pertinent to daily life (eg, family, hobbies, work, travel, and current events). | Know how to relate sentences in a simple way in order to describe experiences and facts, my dreams, hopes and ambitions. I can briefly explain and justify my opinions and projects. I know how to narrate a story or story, the plot of a book or movie, and I can describe my reactions. | Can write simple, well-related texts on topics that are known to me or of personal interest. I can write personal letters that describe experiences and impressions. |
| B2 | Understand extensive speeches and lectures and even follow complex lines of argument whenever the topic is relatively well known. I understand almost all television news and current affairs programs. I understand most movies that are spoken at a standard language level. | Can read articles and reports related to contemporary problems in which the authors adopt specific positions or points of view. I understand contemporary literary prose. | Can engage in conversation with a degree of fluency and spontaneity, which allows for normal communication with native speakers. I can take an active part in debates developed in everyday situations, explaining and defending my points of view. | Present clear and detailed descriptions of a wide range of topics related to my specialty. I can explain a point of view on a topic by exposing the advantages and disadvantages of various options. | Can write clear and detailed texts on a wide range of topics related to my interests. I can write essays or reports conveying information or proposing reasons that support or refute a specific point of view. I know how to write letters that emphasize the importance I attach to certain facts and experiences. |
| C1 | Understand long speeches even when they are not clearly structured and when relationships are only implicit and not explicitly stated. Understand television shows and movies without much effort. |
Understand long and complex texts of a literary or factual character, appreciating distinctions in style. Understand specialized articles and long technical instructions, even if they are not related to my specialty. |
Express myself with fluidity and spontaneity without having to look for the appropriate expressions in a very obvious way. I use language flexibly and effectively for social and professional purposes. I formulate ideas and opinions accurately and link my interventions deftly with those of other speakers. | Present clear and detailed descriptions of complex topics that include other topics, developing concrete ideas and ending with an appropriate conclusion. | Can express myself in clear and well-structured texts, exposing points of view at some length. I can write about complex topics in letters, essays or reports, highlighting what I think are the important aspects. I select the appropriate style for the readers to whom my writings are addressed, including I may be able to apply for a job. |
| C2 | No difficulty understanding any kind of spoken language, whether in live conversations or in relayed speeches, even if they are produced at native speaker speed, provided I have time to familiarize myself with the accent. | Can easily read virtually all forms of written language, including structurally or linguistically complex abstract texts such as manuals, specialized articles, and literary works. | Take part effortlessly in any conversation or debate and am well acquainted with fads, common phrases and colloquial expressions. I express myself fluidly and convey subtle nuances of meaning with precision. If I have a problem, I cover up the difficulty so discreetly that others hardly notice. | Present descriptions or arguments clearly and fluently and in a style that is appropriate to the context and with a logical and effective structure that helps the listener to fixate on important ideas and to remember them. | Can write clear, flowing texts in an appropriate style. I can write complex letters, reports or articles that present arguments with a logical and effective structure that helps the listener to stick to important ideas and remember them. I write summaries and reviews of professional or literary works. |
Annual Courses
In-person or remotely for young children and adults, companies or individuals.
Workload: 2 or 3 hours per week – 70 or 100 hours per year for each level.
International exam preparation courses
in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Mandarin and Japanese, classroom or intensive classroom or distance learning for young children and adults.
Workload: 4 hours per week, the length of time to prepare for the exams is variable, we send you to the exams when the student is 100% prepared and without margin for disapproval. Intensives are 40-hour courses.
Portuguese as a Second Language Course
Workload: 2 or 3 hours per week – 70 or 100 hours per year for each level in annual courses, or 40 hours for intensive courses.
Courses for illiterate children
from 4 years of age, face-to-face or with parental tutoring.
Workload: 2 hours per week on two different days.
Courses for Companies
anuais ou intensivos presenciais ou à distância para crianças jovens e adultos, empresas ou particulares.
Workload: 2 or 3 hours per week – 70 or 100 hours per year for each level or 40 hours for intensive courses.
Courses in individual classes
face-to-face or distance learning, intensive or annual for young children and adults, companies or individuals.
Workload: each student can define their weekly workload.
Conversation courses
designed for those who aim to develop specific skills in their area of work or scientific research for university students and adults, companies or individuals.
Workload: These are 20-hour courses, which can be extended to 40 or 60 hours depending on the group.
Intensive Courses during the academic year
face-to-face or remotely for young children and adults, companies or individuals.
Workload: 40 or 60 hours. Lasting for two to three months.
Intensive Summer Courses
Only in summer – face-to-face or remotely for young children and adults, companies or individuals.
Workload: 40 or 60 hours in summer 40 hours must be completed within 1 month.
e-Learning Courses
Such courses give the student the opportunity to study anywhere in the world at any time of the day or night every day of the year, through our teaching platform.
Workload: Undefined because you can study at any time of the day or night, every day of the year, through our teaching platform. They are courses of 3, 6, or 9 months from beginner to advanced level.
Tutoring Centre
Our teachers from the explanation center, follow the subjects from the first cycle to the University for all those who need to improve their grades at school.
Workload: Undefined as it depends on the student's difficulties, the number of subjects that need support, and also their time availability.
Knowledge Retrieval Center
Due to the pandemic, many students lost the rhythm of study, needing to resume the subjects that were not very sedimented and that make new learning difficult. This support is given from children who have gaps in the literacy and writing process as well as in more advanced years.
Workload: Undefined as it depends on the student's difficulties, the number of subjects that need support, and also their time availability.
Intensive Courses
If you want a more intensive modality, the Intensive Courses have a minimum weekly workload of 4 hours and a maximum duration of 3 months. They are ideal for those who want to learn Spanish (or any other language) quickly and/or want to reach a higher level of Spanish in less time, or for those students who want to consolidate their knowledge. The levels of these courses range from beginner to post-intermediate level. At any time, students who complete Intensive Courses can be integrated into any other group courses taking place at our schools. Normally, these courses last 40 hours, three times a week at a previously established time. There are similar programs in Portuguese as a Second Language, French, Spanish and German. It can be in person, remotely or online.
Genre:
- Small group classes
- Individual classes
- Distance classes
- Online classes