Objectives and competences

The master's degree in Training of Teachers of Spanish as a Foreign Language (FPELE) prepares future professionals for research and teaching in the field of Spanish as a foreign language (SFL). It provides comprehensive theoretical and practical training in the teaching of foreign languages in general and in SFL in particular, as well as introducing students to the different research areas related to the field.

This interuniversity master's degree is coordinated by the Faculty of Education at the University of Barcelona in collaboration with the Department of Translation and Language Sciences at Pompeu Fabra University.

The degree provides pioneering training for prospective SFL teachers from the academic, scientific and professional perspectives. Many professionals now working in the field in departments of Spanish at foreign universities, at Cervantes Institute centres, and in language schools, publishing houses, etc. have graduated from one of the 25 past editions of the course.

Basic information

TypeMaster's degree
Faculty or schoolFaculty of Education
Branch of knowledge
  • Education sciences
  • Philology, classical studies, translation and linguistics
Mode of delivery
  • Face-to-face
Credits90
Number of places available25
Length of course2 academic years
Language(s) of instructionSpanish (100%)
Approximate price per credit27.67 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2023-2024
CoordinationJAUME BATLLE RODRIGUEZ
E-mailmasters.educacio@ub.edu
Course detailsIndicators
Open pre-enrolmentYes
Open enrolmentNo
Lead to doctoral studiesYes
Admission for applicants not holding a degree qualificationNo
InteruniversityYes
Main universityUniversitat Barcelona
Universities
  • Universitat Barcelona
  • Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Bridging coursesYes

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Objectives and competences

Objectives

  • Acquire an understanding of the basic concepts of teaching and learning foreign languages and the ability to apply them to specific teaching contexts.
  • Assimilate theoretical and practical knowledge of how the formal and functional systems of the Spanish language operate, in order to give them the didactic treatment that the teaching context requires.
  • Acquire an understanding of the different approaches to the teaching of SFL, and the capacity to apply them to the planning and evaluation of the teaching-learning process in a manner consistent with the teaching context.
  • Acquire the capacity to analyse teaching-learning activities and adapt and apply them in the classroom to foster learning opportunities and create new activities.
  • Learn to critically read research on L2 and carry out research into the teaching and learning of SFL.
  • Learn to use tools that facilitate self-analysis and reflection on the learning process, in order to evaluate teaching performance with respect to the requirements of the teaching context.
  • Acquire the capacity to take on different responsibilities within the professional world of SFL.

Competences

General competences:

Upon completion of the master's degree, students will be able to:

  • manage (identify, organize and systematize) information in order to build knowledge on the processes of teaching and research;
  • observe, evaluate and reflect to analyse their own teaching performance and learning processes;
  • work in teams, displaying a commitment to of cooperation and consideration for diversity.

    Specific competences:

    With regard to the specific applications of their knowledge, students will be able to:

    • identify and apply the fundamental concepts involved in the teaching and learning of foreign languages;
    • interpret how the formal and functional systems of the Spanish language operate and give them the didactic treatment that the teaching context requires;
    • describe in depth the formal levels of linguistic analysis ' phonetic, morphosyntactic, lexical and discursive;
    • plan and evaluate the teaching and learning of languages in a manner consistent with the teaching context and the required methodological approach, as established in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR);
    • design and implement diverse activities and learning opportunities in the classroom that encourage the development of effective communication skills in learners of Spanish at all CEFR levels;
    • select and develop teaching materials adapted to different contexts and learning situations;
    • integrate information and communication technologies (ICTs) into SFL teaching;
    • make use of diverse manifestations of Hispanic culture, such as film and literature, as teaching resources in SFL teaching;
    • develop the strategies to understand research into L2 teaching and learning;
    • collect, analyse and interpret empirical data from research in the field of SFL learning and teaching;
    • use ICT resources in the collection and analysis of data for research in the field of SFL;
    • respond to the demands of a specific teaching context and take on different responsibilities as a teacher and as member of teaching staff.

Access and admission

Applicant profile and access requirements

Recommended applicant profile

The master's degree is intended for holders of pre-EHEA degrees or bachelor's degrees (or equivalent qualifications issued outside Spain) in philology, translation or education, and graduates in other disciplines who would like to acquire specialized training in a different field. Since it was first offered the course has been internationally oriented, and it has been taught to students from each of the five continents. This feature is to be maintained, giving the master's the advantage of the intercultural enrichment that comes from working with groups of students from diverse backgrounds.

Access requirements and conditions

General requirements
In accordance with Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, students wishing to be admitted to a university master's degree must hold one of the following qualifications:

  • Official Spanish university degree.

  • A degree issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area framework that authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue.

  • A qualification issued by an institution outside the framework of the European Higher Education Area. In this case, applicants must request homologation of the degree to its equivalent official Spanish university qualification or obtain express approval from the University of Barcelona, which will conduct a study of equivalence to ensure that the degree is of a comparable level to an official Spanish university qualification and that it grants access to university master's degree study in the country of issue. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master's degree and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.

Specific requirements
Applicants should hold a pre-EHEA degree or bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification issued outside Spain) in philology, linguistics, translation, education, pedagogy or modern languages. Candidates with qualifications in the areas of law and social sciences (history, law, economics, etc.) are also accepted, as their training provides a basis for teaching Spanish for specific purposes.

Students for whom Spanish is not their mother tongue must be able to demonstrate a high level of competence in spoken and written Spanish (CEFR level C1 or C2) or hold a DELE Diploma in Spanish Level C2 issued by the Cervantes Institute.

Candidates should also have English language skills at level B2 (equivalent to the advanced level certificate from official language schools or the First Certificate in English from the University of Cambridge). Knowledge of other languages (French, German, Italian, etc.) is also valued.

Students not in possession of a degree in philology, linguistics, translation, teaching, education or modern languages, who would like to redirect their career towards the field of SFL teaching, will be required to take two bridging subjects with a total value of ten credits: Introduction to the Teaching of Foreign Languages and Introduction to Linguistics for Teachers of Foreign Languages.

These bridging subjects address the basic concepts of foreign language teaching and linguistics, respectively, to ensure a generally equivalent minimum level of knowledge between students with different academic profiles.

Pre-enrolment

Calendar

First period: from 1 February to 30 June 2024.
Notifications: partial resolutions in the first half of each month.

Second period: from 1 July to 4 September 2024.
Notifications: September 9.

Notes:

  • Pre-enrolment fee: A pre-enrolment fee of 30,21 euros is charged. Students who apply to more than one master's degree must pay the fee for each pre-enrolment request. Pre-enrolment requests cannot be processed until this fee has been paid.Fees will only be refunded if the master's degree in question is suspended.
  • Reserved places: A maximum of 5% of the new places of the master's degree are reserved for students who meet the general and specific access requirements and accredit the recognition of a degree of disability equal to or greater than 33%.

Required documentation

Selection criteria

Students are selected on the basis of their academic record, professional experience and motivations for applying to the master's degree.

Selection takes into account the following aspects (maximum score: 15):
1. Academic record for the qualification granting access to the master's degree (maximum 6 points).
2. Statement of interest (maximum 3 points).
3. Experience in research groups or on research projects (maximum 2 points).
4. Experience as a teacher of language or literature (maximum 2 points).
5. Possession of scholarships or grants to study the master's degree (maximum 2 points).

The statement of interest should explain the applicant's reasons for wishing to study the master's degree. In evaluating it, the selection committee will take into account:
  • professional interest in SFL,
  • intellectual curiosity, and
  • capacity to project training.

Notification

The master's degree Coordination Committee only considers applications including all documents required (academic documents, motivation letter and curriculum) and proof of payment of the pre-enrolment fee. By the deadline established in the pre-enrolment calendar, the resolution of admission is notified by email or published on the website.

Enrolment

As a general rule, at the UB you will be required to enrol online. Remember that you can lose your place if you do not enrol on the day you have been assigned

Course curriculum

Subjects and course plans

Distribution of credits

Type ECTS
Compulsory 50
Optional 15
Compulsory placements 5
Compulsory final project 20
TOTAL 90

List of subjects

Subject Type Language Credits
Specialization: Training of Teachers of Spanish as a Foreign Language
Analysis and Design of Materials for Spanish as a Foreign Language Optional 1st semester 5
Assessment in Learning Spanish as a Foreign Language Compulsory 2nd semester 5
Cinema and Literature in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language Optional 1st semester 2.5
Final Project Compulsory 1st semester
2nd semester
20
Fundamental Concepts in Second Language Teaching and Learning Compulsory 1st semester 5
Information Communications Technology in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language Compulsory 2nd semester 5
Language Learning and Instruction Processes Compulsory 2nd semester 5
Lexis and Language Teaching Optional 1st semester 5
Linguistic Diversity in the Spanish as a Foreign Language Classroom Optional 1st semester 2.5
Methodology of Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language: Skills; Activities and Techniques Compulsory 1st semester 5
Pedagogical Grammar of Spanish Compulsory 2nd semester 5
Pronunciation in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language Optional 1st semester 2.5
Research in the Teaching of Spanish as a Foreign Language Compulsory 2nd semester 5
Second Language Acquisition Compulsory 1st semester 5
Sociocultural Aspects in the Foreign Language Classroom Optional 1st semester 2.5
Spanish for Professional Purposes Optional 1st semester 2.5
Spanish Language in Context Compulsory 1st semester 5
Teaching Literary Texts in Spanish as a Foreign Language Optional 1st semester 2.5
Teaching Practices Compulsory 2nd semester 5
Textual Linguistics Compulsory 1st semester 5
Varieties of Spanish and Bilingual Contexts Optional 1st semester 2.5

Previous years

Placements

Placements in a company or another type of organization are an integral part of university studies, providing first-hand experience of working methodologies in students' chosen professional fields. They offer invaluable practical experience for the transition into work after graduation.



Placements are supervised by tutors and subject to assessment. They are therefore included in the academic record.  There is also an option to complete non-curricular placements of up to 750 hours, which can be extended to 900 hours. For both curricular and non-curricular placements, an educational cooperation agreement is signed between the UB and the company, institution or other organization at which the placement will be carried out.



Institutional information


Career opportunities

What can you work on ?

Successful graduates will have the skills and capacities to teach in a variety of educational areas related to SFL, to work in the educational publishing industry in a related area, or to pursue a research career in the area of language teaching.

The strong reputation of the coordinating universities makes this master's degree a benchmark for graduate employment and employability.

Access to the labour market

Data from the university system in Catalonia

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