Spanish

Welcome to the world of Spanish! Studying Spanish at NYU Abu Dhabi gives students the opportunity to discover new cultures, make new friends, and become proficient in one of the great world languages. NYU Abu Dhabi's interactive and rigorous courses are designed to help students master all language skills (i.e., reading, writing, speaking, and listening) promptly in order to carry out conversations, conduct research, and expand cross-cultural understanding. In addition to this, students have the opportunity to participate in field trips and spend a semester abroad in Buenos Aires or Madrid to immerse themselves in the country’s culture.

NYUAD's Spanish courses are lively, highly interactive, and conducted predominantly in Spanish to help students build confidence and proficiency in Spanish. Students get to practice weekly outside of class with a trained peer tutor, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone with Spanish. Over the course of NYUAD's Spanish studies, students will explore over twenty countries and learn about the traditions and ways of life of close to 600 million people whose mother tongue is Spanish.

In addition to our courses, students should consider obtaining professional accreditation such as the Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE) or the Servicio Internacional de Evaluación de la Lengua Española (SIELE) certification.

View the Course List

Meet Our Faculty

Eduardo Lage Otero

Visiting Assistant Professor of Spanish and Digital Humanities

Spanish at NYUAD
Spanish in NYU's Global Network

Experiential Learning

Language learning extends beyond the classroom and students taking Spanish have opportunities throughout the year to attend the language table, film series, guest lectures, and other social gatherings to continue building and expanding their knowledge of Spanish and the Spanish-speaking world.

Placement and Assessment

Students who have some proficiency in Spanish should take a placement test to identify the most suitable course for them. Please contact the course instructor for more details.

In terms of assessment, students will encounter a variety of forms: quizzes, video recordings, research projects, interviews, and presentations. Over the course of the language sequence, they will build a language dossier in line with the European Language Portfolio model.

Related Courses at NYUAD

In addition to language courses, students can also explore topics related to the history and development of Spain and Latin America.

Scene from Cuba.

A view of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Inside the NYUAD Library.

Spanish Resources at the NYUAD Library

In addition to online platforms like Duolingo or Mango language, we encourage students to take full advantage of the language resources provided by the Library to help them improve their reading and listening skills. Here are some titles that we recommend to advanced students:

Reading

Don Quijote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes

La casa de los espíritus by Isabel Allende

Watching

Volver: a Spanish comedy-drama directed by Pedro Almodóvar

Biutful: A Mexican-Spanish drama directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu

Argentina, 1985: An Argentine political drama directed by Santiago Mitre

Additionally, we recommend the Instituto Cervantes Virtual Library or the Kanopy Collection.
Students interested in further improving their Spanish skills are encouraged to consider spending a semester or more at one of the NYU sites in Madrid or Buenos Aires. For more information, please get in touch with the Global Education and Outreach Office.

NYU Madrid (Spain)

At NYU Madrid, students advance their command of Spanish while engaging with European traditions and culture. Established in 1958 as NYU’s first global academic center, NYU Madrid offers students with little or no Spanish language skills a Fast-Track Spanish for Beginners program that includes a set of four courses designed to bring them to proficiency in one semester. During the spring semester, students with advanced Spanish language skills may enroll in up to two courses at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM).

Scene from Madrid, Spain.

Homestays with Spanish host families encourage students to build a deeper connection with Spanish culture and provides an opportunity to practice speaking in a more casual environment. An Intercambio Program brings NYU Madrid students together with local college students to practice their Spanish and make friends.

Madrid is the political and cultural center of Spain and one of the liveliest and friendliest capital cities in Europe, replete with magnificent architecture, world-class museums, and delicious cuisine. Students at NYU Madrid enjoy a semester of rich cultural experiences that complement their studies, whether they’re on a class trip to the Museo del Prado to learn firsthand about Goya’s masterpieces or at an out-of-the-way tapas bar on Cava Baja.

NYU Buenos Aires (Argentina)

NYU Buenos Aires offers students the exceptional opportunity to learn about the people, history, culture, politics, and economy of Argentina and the region while living in one of South America’s most vibrant cities.

Courses are taught in Spanish and English by some of Argentina’s most talented scholars, journalists, and public health professionals, as well as renowned writers and musicians. The curriculum provides a cultural frame to coursework offered in subjects ranging from art history, cinema studies, and creative writing to politics, sociology, and economics. All students at NYU Buenos Aires take a Spanish language course at their appropriate level upon arrival or, if advanced, an elective in the language. A place of renewed growth and prosperity, Buenos Aires is one of the most important financial and cultural centers in Latin America.

A view of Buenos Aires, Argentina

The NYU academic center is located in the handsome Recoleta district, near vibrant Avenida Santa Fe. Staff members organize and offer a myriad of activities for students to take part in. Ranging from regional travel to destinations such as Iguazu Falls, Rosario, and Tigre to taking tango lessons throughout the semester. Volunteer opportunities at local NGOs and media offices open doors for students to engage in the community and practice Spanish. Museums, class field trips, and concerts offer opportunities to go beyond day-to-day cultural experiences and better understand the dynamic past and present of the Argentine capital. Homestays bring the everyday Argentine way of living to life as students share meals, ideas and activities with their host parents.