Playa Tamarindo Summer College Credit Program

Program Outline

For the summer of 2008 we have two five week sessions with the following start dates: Session 1 - June 1st and Session 2 - July 5th. Students can choose to attend either session or both, depending on how many credits they need to receive. The sessions are broken down into two classes per five week period. This means that students can complete both Beginning Spanish I & II or Intermediate Spanish I & II in just five weeks. You can complete all four in a ten week period. Beginning Spanish I & II are four credit hours each. Intermediate Spanish I & II are three credit hours each.

Students needing Beginning Spanish I & II will attend classes for 120 hours. This is broken down into six hours of class a day for the first two weeks, followed by 4 hours of class a day for the final three weeks. Students needing Intermediate Spanish I & II will attend classes for 100 hours. This will be broken down into four hours of class a day for five weeks.

All books and materials are included in the price of the program. Also, all college credits are included in the price of the program. If you live outside the state of Texas, you will need to add $40 per credit hour for out of state tuition. Students will need to apply for admission into Brookhaven College before the start date of the programs. Once accepted, students will be enrolled in the college. During the program students will be graded on their attendance, classroom participation, written assignments, homework, oral ability, weekly test scores and final course essay. Upon successful completion of the program, grades will be posted and transcripts will be sent out.

For Information about pricing for the program, please contact an ISLS representative.

Lodging Options

This summer we are offering students three different lodging options; Home stay, School stay and Luxury Condo. Each option offers students very different experiences as well as different prices. We believe by having these options, students will be able to choose the one that is best for them and their needs.

The home stay option is for those students who would like to experience more of the culture of Costa Rica by living with a local family. This is the most intensive option and will help students to practice their ability to speak Spanish. When living with a family students have no choice but to speak the language with their hosts. The houses are clean and well kept, but rustic by our standards. Breakfast and dinner are included in this option, as well as laundry service.

The school stay option is for those students who want the convenience of being near the school and the beach, as well as within walking distance to everything in town. The school has three fully furnished two bedroom apartments with living room, kitchen and air conditioning. Each bedroom has three beds and students are assigned roommates by gender. If students come down as a group, they can be put into the same apartments. Breakfast at a local restaurant is included with this option.

The luxury condo option is for those students who want to stay in one of the nicest places in all of Tamarindo. The condo complex is located right across the street from the school, so it is easy to get to class, town or the beach. Each condo has a full bath, air conditioning, full kitchen and living area. No meals are included in this option. There is a restaurant, bar, swimming pool and deck with plenty of hammocks. The occupancy of each single condo is three people. If there are groups of more than three we can work with them in the complex.

Course Descriptions

SPAN 1411 - Beginning Spanish I (4 units)
This course is an introductory course intended for students with little or no knowledge of the language. Its aim is to present essential vocabulary and grammar, and to develop the pronunciation, listening, reading, and writing skills necessary for basic communication and comprehension. Customs and cultural insights are also presented. (3 Lec, 2 Lab.)
Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number 1609055113

SPAN 1412 - Beginning Spanish II (4 units)
Prerequisite: Spanish 1411 or the equivalent or demonstrated competence approved by the instructor.
This course continues the oral practice, reading, writing, grammar and cultural studies begun in Spanish 1411. Students are expected to acquire a substantial amount of vocabulary and begin to deal with idiomatic language and more advanced syntax. (3 Lec, 2 Lab)
Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number 1609055113

SPAN 2311 - Intermediate Spanish I (3 units)
Prerequisite: Spanish 1412 or the equivalent or demonstrated competence approved by the instructor.
This course is designed to further develop students’ overall language proficiency and cultural knowledge through more advanced reading, listening, speaking and writing exercises. Grammatical concepts are reviewed and expanded. (3 Lec.)
Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number 1609055213

SPAN 2312 - Intermediate Spanish II (3 units)
Prerequisite: Spanish 2311 or the equivalent or demonstrated competence approved by the instructor.
This course is a continuation of Spanish 2311. The stress is on reading, composition, grammatical complexities, and intense oral practice, with continued studies of the culture.(3 Lec.)
Coordinating Board Academic Approval Number 1609055213