Why EAFIT?
More Than 60 Years of History. Universidad EAFIT was born in a decade marked by constant change. It was the dawn of the 1960s when a group of 19 regional business leaders – in tune with the cultural, social, and economic transformations on the horizon globally – founded an institution to serve as a training ground for their companies' future managers and administrators.
About the program
About Spanish Program
The Spanish as a Foreign Language Program at Universidad EAFIT in Medellin is a comprehensive program for Spanish language acquisition, allowing students to develop their language communication skills effectively.
The five levels of proficiency (A1 to C1 as described by the Common European Framework) are distributed into 16 courses, each lasting 38 hours. In order to optimize learning and classroom interaction, each group only consists of 3-8 students.
The learning experience is ensured through:
- Classes that are taught based on effective and proper communication in small groups with highly qualified teachers.
- A conversation partner in order to access a more colloquial level of Spanish.
- The possibility to attend classes in the University's undergraduate programs. This opportunity gives students access to the language at an academic level; classes are subject to University scheduling.
Cultural activities offered daily throughout the campus for greater language immersion and additionally:
- Is one of the oldest in the country, established in 1997.
- Has highly experienced teachers.
- Has an original textbook based on CEFR levels: A1-A2-B1-B2.
- Offers a wide range of free extracurricular activities per week.
- Publishes a Biannual online magazine to showcase our students' written and visual work "CuéntELE".
- Provides students with great free learning opportunities (tutoring sessions, auditing undergraduate classes, local conversation partners, and daily on-campus cultural activities).
- Located in a modern building on a vibrant campus with an excellent offering of spaces for varied activities: pool, library, bookstore, gym, sports fields, more than 15 restaurants and coffee shops.
- Great location: within walking distance of major shopping malls, supermarkets, parks, local housing, hotels and hostels.
- Offers DELE tests for accreditation purposes.
- Provides student support in key areas, such as student visas and homestay contacts.
- Some countries of origin of our Spanish program students: Germany, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia (Indigenous Community of Tucanos), South Korea, Denmark, Scotland, United States, Philippines, Finland, France, Haiti, Netherlands, India, England, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Nigeria, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, Ukraine, Uganda.
In the voice of our students, this is our Spanish program.
Program Methodology
Program Methodology
The Language Center methodology follows the communicative approach guidelines.
The teaching processes aim at participatory and interactive learning in an environment where culture is integrated into the development of the four skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing – considering accuracy and relevance. According to these guidelines, the acquisition of a second language is promoted when:
- As a requirement to start the program, the student must perform a classification test at no cost to identify the appropriate course according to the Common European Framework.
- There is interaction with the teacher and among students using the language that is being taught.
- A level test is carried out to measure the knowledge acquired by the students, this test is included within the 38 hours of each course.
- Materials and activities are as authentic as possible.
- Emphasis is placed both on meaning and form (structure).
- Students are taught to use learning strategies.
- Students are taught to be independent.
- Students have enough time to practice and process information.
- Students are exposed to a wide variety of activities, teaching techniques and language structures.
- Students' individual differences are acknowledged.
- Our book: http://www.eafit.edu.co/idiomas/maravillas-espanol (In the Spanish program, for some of our courses, there is a textbook that is one of the resources used by our teachers. Although we do not require students to buy it, there is the possibility of doing so at the University bookstore.)
- The study material is not included in the Investment per course.
- Additional services are offered such as tutoring, extra-academic activities, salsa classes, gym, swimming pool, etc. Some of these services have an additional cost.
Courses and levels
Courses and levels
Survival Spanish Virtual Course
Duration
2 months
Investment
US$99
Face-to-face sessions on demand with live teachers: US$ 25 per hour.
Sixty-day license to complete the course
Learn the basics about one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.
In this survival virtual course, which does not require prior knowledge of Spanish, you will become familiar with the types of situations that arise while traveling in a Spanish-speaking country, helping you to develop the basic communicative competence needed to function satisfactorily in real contexts, such as airports, hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers.
This is a six-module course designed with meaningful activities, customized to the city of Medellin, enabling you to achieve a deeper understanding of the language embedded within the cultural contexts of the region.
Why to start learning Spanish?
- It is fun.
- It is one of the most commonly spoken languages.
- Your travel experiences will be enhanced.
- It could boost your employment opportunities.
These are the six modules of the virtual course:
- The search
- My journey
- Where to stay
- Let's go shopping!
- Making plans
- Health and well-being
Methodology
- Self-directed virtual course with interactive practice activities and immediate feedback. No stress, no exams, and designed to advance at your own pace.
- Face-to-face live sessions, on demand, with teachers from Idiomas EAFIT are also available for additional practice or explanation.
- When you registered for the course, you can schedule six half-an-hour-free samples of those live sessions.
Sign up in three simple steps:
- Fill out the form here below.
- You can pay for the course clicking here
To select a different language on the payment platform click the icon on the platform - Send proof of payment and a copy of your identity document to spanish@eafit.edu.co so you can start the course.
Learn more about our culture and be amazed by the magic of Spanish!
Spanish for you
It's time to learn Spanish, from wherever you are!
Investment
$32 USD/hour
non refundable
We want you to enjoy the ease of choosing your sessions based on your availability, topics that interest you, and the amount of time you can devote to your learning process.
- Sessions from as little as one hour
- Private online sessions
- Self-selected topics
- No prior knowledge required
Benefits
Benefits
You, as a student of the Spanish program for foreigners, have the right to:
- Receive clear explanations about the contents, objectives, achievement standards and the course evaluation forms.
Attend classes which are enjoyable and free of tension, where conversation is the key element. - Receive classes in Spanish, with the exception of the "Academic Commitments" which are read the first day of classes.
- Classes should start and end on time. 2-hour classes: minimum duration of 1 hour and 50 minutes, without a break. Four-hour classes: minimum duration of 3 hours and 40 minutes with a 20 minute break.
- Receive the corresponding feedback about your learning process. For this, there is constant assistance during the course, as well as an hour of formal discussion at the end of the course (it is the student's duty to attend this session).
In case of necessity, to be referred to the tutoring service. - That your concerns and comments on the development of the course be addressed and resolved.
- Check out books from the Luis Villegas Echavarría library. You must present your valid card issued by the Language Center.
- Have a conversation partner with whom to practice Spanish, upon previous request of the service.
- Join classes from one of the undergraduate programs offered by the University as an auditor (2 courses maximum), upon previous request.
- Participate in extracurricular activities organized by the program.
- Participate in the cultural and academic activities of the University: exhibitions, film cycles, talks, conferences, etc. (Program is available on the website: www.eafit.edu.co/agenda).
- Get guidance in matters concerning your accommodations in the city: search for accommodations, legal formalities, opening of a bank account, among others.
- Request certificates of studies completed or in progress.
- Receive First Aid on the University campus in an emergency and be referred to the Health Care Provider with which the student is insured. In any emergency, you may call the 911 line from enabled phones for this purpose on campus, located in blocks 29,31, 32, 34, 38 and central cafeteria. For more information on this topic, please go to www.eafit.edu.co/911.
Enrollment
Intensive courses 2024
Duration
38 hour each course
2,5 weeks
Schedule
Monday to Friday
from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 m.
Enrollments
Students can enroll up until the last working day before the course starts.
Starting Date
January 22
February 12
March 4
April 1
April 22
May 14
June 4
June 24
July 15
August 5
August 26
September 17
October 7
October 28
November 18
Ending Date
February 7
February 28
March 20
April 17
May 9
May 30
June 21
July 11
July 31
August 23
September 11
October 3
October 24
November 15
December 4
Prior to begin in the program, students need to complete our registration form through the link www.eafit.edu.co/epik and selecting the “Access for new students” option.
Investment
Investment per course
COP $5.540.000 - Individual courses
COP $1.833.000 - 3 to 8 students *
*In case we have less than theree students, we could offer you 13 hours of individual work with one of our teachers. Those hours could be covered in sesions of one or two hours long in which the teacher will be focused on your needs. At the end of those hours, you would take a placement test to check your progress so you can register for the appropiate course.
A 5% discount will be applicable if more than two courses are paid in advance.
Payment Options
- Online: with credit or debit cards through your student profile at EPIK
- Cash (in Colombia): payment can be made at the Bancolombia, Itaú, Banco de Occidente and Davivienda banks.
- Credit and debit card(in Colombia): in the Information and Registration modules of Idiomas EAFIT.
- International Wire Transfer.
Refund Policy
- A 100% refund will be made only to persons:
- Whose course is canceled because it does not meet the minimum number of participants per group, or that the Language Center cancels for any other reason.
- An 80% refund will be made if the person withdraws for reasons beyond his control
- (supported medical disability or labor reasons supported with a company letter) and makes the respective request within the 20 first hours of class.
- Once the 20% or more of the total hours of the course has elapsed, there will be no refund.
- For refunds originating upon the participant's request, the value of the commission will be deducted if the payment was made by credit or debit card. A student who has paid for more than two courses in advance and withdraws prior to the completion of the paid program may ask for a refund. If this is the case, a penalty of the price of a full course will be charged. The amount of money that you are going to pay will be a balance in favor, which will be available two years for you to use. Please be aware that the investment per course increases every year in January, so if you have a balance in favor and you decide to continue studying with us next year, you will have to pay the difference between both prices.
Migration Issues
Migration issues
An evidence of international health insurance valid in Colombia for the total time of studies in the University is necessary. This insurance should cover at least: emergencies and hospitalization, medical expenses and repatriation for up to $50,000 USD.
PID Students
A student visa is required if you are planning to stay for more than 180 days. A shorter period will require a special stamp granted by the immigration office at the arrival port. A tourist stamp is not enough. Please notice that status requirements vary from one country to another. We suggest you check this with the competent office (Embassy, consulate or others).
If you are staying for only one semester at the Spanish Program you will just need an entry permit (PID) which is stamped in the airport at your arrival in Colombia. Before the 90 days expiration of the PID permit, students must obtain a PID permit at the Migration Office in Medellín (approximate cost: $36 USD)
Student visa
A student visa is required if you are planning to stay for more than 180 days.
The steps you must follow in order to apply for a Tipo V visa are:
Enter the website of the Colombian consulate in your country and consult if it is possible to apply online or if you must carry out the process directly with an officer at the consulate.
If you can apply online, please have the following documents ready before completing the online form:
- Letter of Acceptance from Universidad EAFIT.
- Copy of your Passport openned on the page with your photo and information.
- If you are applying inside Colombian territory, you must have a copy of the page with the entry stamps.
- A letter from the person economically responsible of the expenses you will incur in during your studies in Colombia along with a bank certification that shows an average of 10 monthly official minimum wages during the last 6 months.
- A recent photo of 4cmx3cm.
Once you have these documents ready, access the online form at SITAC and complete your visa application. Don't forget to specify that you will study at Universidad EAFIT.
To finalize the application process, you must pay $ 16 USD. Once your visa is approved, you will have to pay $ 51 USD.
Once you receive your electronic visa, you must go to a Colombian consulate to get it stamped on your passport. This step is VERY important because without the visa stamped in your passport you can't apply for the foreign ID card. NB: If you couldn't get to a Colombian consulate for this step, you can also complete it in Bogota.
If your consulate does not allow you to apply online, then take the documents mentioned above to the consulate at the time of your appointment and complete the process they indicate.
If you need further information regarding visas and their application processes, we recommend accessing Classes Visas.
Foreign ID card application
An international student that has been granted a Titular Tipo V visa for more than 90 days, must go to a regional office of Migración Colombia in order to apply for a Foreign ID card during the first 15 days after he/she arrived in Colombian territory. Failing to do so can generate economic fines.
In order to apply for a Colombian Foreign ID card, you must go to Migración Colombia's regional office in Medellin located at Calle 19 # 80A-40 Barrio Belén La Nubia from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Please bring with you the following documents:
- Original passport with the current visa.
- Complete and present the Formato Único de Trámites or the Código de Registro en Línea, enclosing the following:
A. One (1) copy of your passport opened on the page with your photo
B. One (1) copy of the page with the Colombian entry stamps on your Passport
C. One (1) copy of your Colombian visa
- If it is the first time you are applying for a Foreign ID card, you must also bring a 3x4 photo as well as a blood type certificate that you can get at the laboratory located in Clínica Las Vegas (this one is close to EAFIT campus).
- Recaudo, bank code (código bancario) 101, in the checking account (cuenta corriente) of Banco de Occidente No. 263-05464-5, for $206.000 Colombian pesos.
The receipt of the payment made to Unidad Administrativa Especial de Migración Co. Your Foreign ID card will be valid for the same time as your visa. In case you apply for an extension of your studies at EAFIT, you shall need to apply for a new visa as well as a new Foreign ID card.
If you need more information regarding the application process an d who needs to get a Foreign ID Card, we recommend accessing Migration Colombia.
Travel to Colombia and LIVE the language! Take our Spanish classes in-person at EAFIT University
If you have any question or queries a member of our team we are willing to help. Feel free to contact us by email
spanish@eafit.edu.co
