The UW’s Center for Spanish Studies, one of twelve in the U.S. and Canada, is a cooperative venture between the University of Washington, the Spanish Ministry of Education and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Education. Located in Padelford Hall, Room B-202C, the Center’s purpose is to promote and support programs that teach Spanish to K-12 students in both public and private schools.
Here are just a few examples of past and future activities sponsored and made possible by the Center:
- The Center offered two free professional development opportunities for teachers of Spanish in the State of Washington. The Heritage Literacy Symposium, which was on January 25th, was held in cooperation with the University of Washington: STARTALK Russian Program, Language Learning Center, Center for Spanish Studies, Division of Spanish & Portuguese Studies, Center for Global Studies and Ellison Center for Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies at the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, and Confucius Institute of the State of Washington. Additional Sponsors: Aula Cervantes, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction World Languages Program, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle.
- The second session presented the DELE A1 and A2 exams from the Cervantes Institute in Seattle, and was conducted by the Cervantes’ coordinator, María Luisa Miguéliz, on February 15th, 2014.
- March 15th is the next assigned day to offer a professional development session for teachers. This time we shall discuss the use of short films in class. To sign up write to spnrectr@uw.edu
- May 17th is the day to travel to Pasco, WA, where the Center is proud to offer a session for teachers especially dedicated to Spanish speakers in class of Spanish in high schools. It will be held at Columbia Basin College, with more details TBD. To sign up write to us at spnrectr@uw.edu
- The deadline for the 16th edition of its well-known school contest “Escribo en Español” is February 28th . We are hoping to have great numbers of participants this year too. More details to come. The ceremony will be held at SAM May 3rd. More details to be found on our website at http://www.educacion.gob.es/exterior/centros/seattle/es/home/index.shtml
- April 1st concludes the application process for juniors, seniors and graduate students to apply for the Cultural Ambassador program. (More information on http://www.mecd.gob.es/eeuu/convocatorias-programas/convocatorias-eeuu/auxiliares-conversacion-eeuu.html.) Candidates who obtain a position will use their native English-speaking skills in schools throughout Spain to help in English classes during the entire school year. In 2013 – 2014, over 2,000 candidates were placed in different schools in Spain. Contact spnrectr@us.edu to learn more about this fabulous opportunity.
- The Center will be present in WAFLT Spring Regional at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, February 22nd, 2014.
- WABE 2014 is another occasion where the Center will participate, enjoying a two-day conference with the community of Bilingual Educators of the state of Washington. April 11th and 12th, Tacoma Convention Center.
- The Center is also proudly working with the SAM towards making the Miró exhibition a real success in the area.
Be sure to check out the Resource Center’s bibliographic and video graphic materials as well as novels and books on teaching, traveling and Spanish culture. According to the UW Center’s Director, Eva González-Abad, anyone interested in the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures can borrow materials from the Resource Center. “No card required!”