Spanish Program for Foreign Students


Available: Medellín and Bucaramanga

ESPEX (Español para extranjeros) is a Spanish program for foreign students created at UPB Language Center to meet the demand for Spanish learning programs offered not only to foreigners, but also to customers or institutions abroad. 

 
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Register now in our ESPEX Program at our Language Center!

Please, leave us your contact details filling the "Conect with UPB" form or write an email to espex@upb.edu.co

Start dates for group classes (2 - 10 Students)

January 22nd, 2024
February 19th, 2024
March 18th, 2024
April 22nd, 2024
May 22nd, 2024

Class types

We offer group classes (2-10 students) and private classes.

Our schedule

Typically, courses run on a basis of 2-hour-block sessions: 10-12 / 12-2 / 2-4, Monday through Friday.

Placement test

If you already know some Spanish, you will be asked to take a placement test before the beginning of the course. This includes a short interview with one of our teachers.

Extra services

Visas: we provided orientation and assistance, as needed.
Auditing regular classes: possibility of sitting in one or more of our Humanities courses.
Language exchange: exchange your language with a Colombian student in campus.
Clubs: we offer Conversation and Reading clubs (open to all!).
Academic tutoring (extra help with your Spanish): one of our pre-service teachers (tutors) can provide extra help with your Spanish.

General Club
Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
Building 11 - Classroom 209
Laureles Campus


Music Club 
Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Building 11 - Classroom 204
Laureles Campus


Reading Club 
Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Building 11 - Classroom 407
Laureles Campus

Courses and levels

The General Spanish program comprises 16 courses corresponding to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Each course lasts 40 hours.  

Nivel A1 A2 B1 B2 C1
B1.1 B1.2 B2.1 B2.2 C1.1 C1.2
Curso 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Intensity: 10 hours per week. 
Note: 20-hour-per-week classes may be available based on demand. 

Course schedule 2024

Medellín
Semester 1 Semester 2
Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 3 Cycle 4 Cycle 5 Cycle 6 Cycle 7 Cycle 8  Cycle 9 Cycle 10
Jan 22 to Feb 16 Feb 19 to Mar 15  Mar 18 to Ap 19 Apr 22 to May 21 May 22 to June 20                
  
 
 
 

Once you have the course invoice,  pay for your course

In Bucaramanga, the courses are offered on demand.
 

$1,879,300 COP*

1 course

$ 3,758,600 COP*

2 courses

3 or more courses: These get a 10% discount.

 
Cursos regulares

$ 3,757,600 COP*

1 course

$ 7,515,200 COP*

2 courses

3 or more courses: These get a 10% discount.

 
private class

$1,404,400 COP*

1 course

$ 2,808,800 COP*

2 courses

3 or more courses: These get a 10% discount.

 
español para extranjeros

Disponible próximamente

 
private class

*COP: Colombian pesos.

For in-place applications

  1. Determine with  the  coordinator  the type of course, the entry level (according to placement test), and the number of courses to be paid.
  2. Deliver a copy of your passport’s identification page and entry stamp or visa.
  3. Have your personal data entered into the system.
  4. Pay by debit or credit card (directly at our Language Center) or by cash (at one of the bank branches in Campus).

For applications from abroad

  1. Send the coordinator an invoice request letter. Attach a scanned copy of the main page of your passport. Make sure to include address and phone number correctly in the letter.
  2. Do the payment at the nearest Citibank branch office upon reception of invoice on the part of UPB (the coordinator will send you procedure details).
  3. Send the coordinator a scanned copy or fax of the bank receipt (proof of payment). Make sure to include clear full name and the word ESPEX. Keep the original receipt and bring it with you!

General terms

Upon entering the ESPEX Spanish for foreign students Program at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana Language Center, you accept the following general conditions:
1. Academic hours: an academic hour of class corresponds to 55 minutes of student-teacher contact (not 60 minutes). Therefore, a 2-hour-block is a 1-hour-and-50-minute class.
2. Attendance: attending 80% of the course will allow you to get a certificate of attendance (delivered on demand).
3. Study visa application process: if you need to apply for a study visa before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through an acceptance letter from UPB Language Center while in Colombia, you must:

  • ​register, at least, for three courses in a row (120 hours);
  • commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week of lessons;
  • pay in advance for 100% of the cost of all the courses of the contracted program you will take during the time of your visa;
  • attend the 80% of each course. If you fail to attend the 20% of a course without a valid reason and without notification to the coordinator, the University will report the competent authorities of your absence.

Refund

A. The UPB will refund 100% of the value of the contracted program only in the following cases:

  • When the University has been responsible for the cancellation of the course.
  • When a student has been refused a visa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • When, by force majeure, a student cannot start the contracted program (Each case will be justified in writing and analyzed by the Evaluation Committee of the Language Center).

B. The UPB will refund 90% of the value of the contracted program when the student reports in writing on the cancellation of the program before its start or before elapsing 10% of it.

Videos

FAQ

  • ¿Puedo obtener una visa a través de ustedes? // May I obtain a visa through you?

    Sí. Usted puede postularse a una visa a través de la UPB siempre y cuando pague por anticipado al menos tres (3) cursos. Una vez haya pagado, la Universidad le brindará los documentos necesarios para solicitar una visa de estudiante. En todos los casos, usted debe cumplir con las condiciones exigidas por el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores para obtener la visa, y este proceso no es responsabilidad de la universidad. // You can apply for a visa through the UPB as long as you pay in advance for at least three (3) courses. Once you have paid, the University will provide you with the necessary documents to apply for a student visa. In all cases, you must meet the conditions required by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain the visa, and this process is not the responsibility of the university.

  • ¿Qué duración tiene cada curso? // How long is each course?

    Cada curso tiene una duración de 40 horas. // Each course lasts 40 hours.

  • ¿Cuántos cursos tiene el programa? // How many courses does the program have?

    El programa consta de 16 cursos. // The program has 16 courses.

  • ¿Qué niveles cubre el programa? // What levels does the program cover?

    El programa cubre del nivel A1 al C1 del MCER. // The program covers CEFR levels from A1 to C1.

  • ¿Cuál es el proceso para inscribirse? // What is the registration process?

    El proceso de inscripción consta de los siguientes pasos:
    1. Verificación de documentación y estatus legal.
    2. Examen de clasificación.
    3. Inscripción y pago.

    The registration process consists of the following:
    1. Verification of documents and legal status.
    2. Placement test.
    3. Registration and payment.

Call us for more information

Office
Circular 1 # 70 - 01
Building 9, office 217
Phone
(574) 354 4564
Cel: (+57) 310 492 3152
Mail
espex@upb.edu.co
Office
Building L, office 501
Phone
(577) 6796220
Ext. 20537, 20170 and 20673.
E-mail
centrodelenguas.bga@upb.edu.co
relacionesinternacionales.bga@upb.edu.co
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Universidad sujeta a inspección y vigilancia por el Ministerio de Educación Nacional. Resolución 17228 del 24 de octubre de 2018 - 6 años.
Otorgado por el Ministerio de Educación Nacional. Nit UPB: 890.902.922-6. Todos los derechos reservados