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Spanish Language & Culture

We have classes for beginners through professionals, including programs in Spanish language, Spanish literature, Spanish culture, Spanish civilization, Spanish business, and traveling in Latino countries. CEUs are available for most programs.

Conversational Spanish classes in Madison
Instructors for Spanish classes
Distance learning in Spanish
Spanish for reading knowledge

Conversational Spanish classes in Madison

computer iconBrowse upcoming Spanish classes in the Continuing Education Catalog online.

Spanish Language and Culture:

Spanish fans

Beginning 1: Learn to converse in Spanish in a variety of social and cultural situations. No previous Spanish necessary. Texts: Jarvis, Lebredo, and Mena-Ayllon, Basic Spanish Grammar, 6th ed. Instructor: TBA

Beginning 2: Continue learning to converse in Spanish in a variety of social and cultural situations. Prerequisite: one course in beginning Spanish, equivalent background, or instructor's consent. Text same as for Spanish Beginning 1. Instructor: Arsenio Cicero or Axel Presas.

Intermediate: Continue learning to converse in Spanish in a variety of social and cultural situations. Review grammar and develop writing skills. Prerequisite: Spanish Beginning 2, equivalent background, or instructor's consent. Texts same as for Spanish Beginning 1. Instructor: Magdalena Coll-Palombi

Advanced: Those who need instruction and practice on a level higher than intermediate continue learning to converse in various social and cultural situations. Review grammar and writing skills, and read selections from Hispanic culture. Prerequisite: Spanish Intermediate, equivalent background, or instructor's consent. Text same as for Spanish Beginning 1. Instructor: Arsenio Cicero

Keeping in touch with Spanish Maintain your Spanish language skills by working during the break with this class, offered in an informal setting and open to all who have studied Spanish previously. No textbook is required. Instructor: To be announced

Spanish conversational table Advance your Spanish skills by discussing current events, reading Latino newspapers, watching movies and TV segments, reading stories, and speaking with Latino guests in a friendly and informal class environment. Prerequisite: a good command of the Spanish language. Instructor: Mariela Quesada Centeno

Spanish for beginners: Saturday immersion: This introductory short course is for beginners with no or little knowledge of Spanish. Learn everyday expressions and put them to use immediately through role-play situations and dynamic interactive drills. Your individual needs are addressed and you are expected to participate actively. In three Saturdays, you acquire the proficiency for basic communication in Spanish. Fee includes breakfasts and lunches on all three Saturdays. Instructor: Araceli Alonso

Spanish for advanced learners: Saturday immersion: This final short course is for students with an intermediate-to-advanced knowledge of Spanish. Learn more advanced expressions and put them to use immediately through role-play situations and dynamic interactive drills. We address your individual needs and you are expected to participate actively. In three Saturdays, you acquire the proficiency for advanced communication in Spanish. Fee includes breakfasts and lunches on all three Saturdays. Instructor: Araceli Alonso

Spanish literature and film: This course explores Cuban history and culture from the 1959 revolution to now, highlighting how events have transformed the lives of families and individuals whose suffering is not often included in headlines or history books. Listen to music, read poems and lyrics, watch documentaries and fiction films (with English subtitles), and engage in discussion. Conducted primarily in English, with option of also practicing Spanish. Instructor: Arsenio Cicero

Mexican guitaristsSpanish review: If you want to refresh your Spanish skills before starting to work with Latinos, traveling to a Spanish speaking country, or moving to Spain or Latin America, this concentrated language course is for you. We focus on grammar, conversation, and culture. Develop your oral and written proficiency and significantly increase your fluency. Instructor: TBA

If you aren't sure which level is right for you, please contact the languages program at languages@dcs.wisc.edu.

Spanish for Reading Knowledge Exam: This translation exam (along with a brief grammar section) is accepted by UW-Madison graduate programs. Offered in April or May, August, and
November or December. Register 1 week before the exam by calling 608-262-2451, or in person at 139 Pyle Center. No refund after registration. For more information, visit the Spanish for Reading Knowledge Exam page in our catalog.

textbooksTextbooks for language classes are available for preview and purchase on campus in the University Book Store's lower level, in the outreach section. The University Book Store is located at 711 State St., Madison (at Lake St., on the Library Mall). See campus map.

Your instructors

Giosue Alagna (MA candidate, UW-Madison), an experienced translator and language teacher, has lived and worked in Peru, Spain, and Italy.

Araceli Alonso (PhD in anthropology) is a native of Madrid. She has extensive experience teaching Spanish at all levels, including medical Spanish at the UW Medical School.

Ana Brito is a Venezuelan with a degree in travel and tourism, and an aspiring chef who enjoys traveling and meeting people from many countries.

Arsenio CiceroArsenio Cicero (MA) is a native of Cuba, an experienced Spanish instructor, and a PhD candidate in Film and Latin American Literature in UW–Madison's Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

Magdalena Coll-Palombi was born in Barcelona and speaks Catalan and Spanish. She teaches at Edgewood College, Madison College, and UWMadison, and loves to communicate with her students.

 

Jeff Kirsch

Jeff Kirsch (PhD, UW–Madison) has taught at Tulane University and UW–Madison. He has authored three published novels, many Independent Learning courses in Spanish and Portuguese, and the textbook Spanish for Reading Knowledge.

 

Antonio NogueraAntonio Noguera (PhD in Spanish, UW–Madison) is from Madrid, where he managed his own company for many years. He has taught language and culture courses at UW–Madison, Edgewood College, and Minnesota State University.

 

 

Axel Presas (PhD Candidate, UW-Madison), a native Spanish speaker from Habana, has taught Spanish at Univ. of South Florida and UW-Madison. He's an effective instructor ready to teach you all the secrets of Spanish grammar.


Distance learning in Spanish

If you can't attend our face-to-face classes, or if you want to work on culture, composition, or literature, take our Independent Learning courses.

  • Earn transferable college credit.
  • Work one-on-one with our experienced Spanish teacher Jennifer Morgan via e-mail or postal mail.
  • Start your course at any time, all year round.
  • Work at your own schedule for as long as one year to complete each course.
  • Check current Independent Learning Spanish course offerings.

How to register

Call 608-262-2451, 7:00 am-4:00 pm, M-F. Specific program numbers and links to the mail-in registration form or to register online can be found in the continuing education catalog.

Contact us

Thank you for your interest in learning Spanish!

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