Specialization in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language
The teaching and learning of Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) is a field of study that has undergone significant changes in recent decades. Nowadays, more and more people are seeking to learn Spanish. According to the 2016 Report by the Instituto Cervantes, the number of students learning Spanish as a foreign language has grown considerably in recent years and now stands at around twenty-one million worldwide.
Registration fee: $147,200. This amount will be credited toward the tuition payment if the applicant is admitted. $147.200This amount will be credited toward the tuition payment if the applicant is admitted.
In this globalized context, the Universidad Externado de Colombia, through its Centre for the Teaching of Spanish to International Learners (CEPEX), has designed an online ‘Specialization in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language’ program to meet the growing demand for professionals in this field.
The The Specialization in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language is open to professionals from all disciplines who wish to enter the field of Spanish language teaching, as well as to those already working in the field who wish to deepen their knowledge and review the various areas. is to provide further training for professionals from all disciplines, equipping them with the theoretical and practical tools they need to acquire the necessary skills to work as Spanish as a Foreign Language teacher anywhere in the world. Similarly, for professionals with experience in teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, this program will enable them to gain a deeper understanding of the key aspects required to deepen their expertise. is to provide further training for professionals from all disciplines, equipping them with the theoretical and practical tools they need to acquire the necessary skills to work as Spanish as a Foreign Language teacher anywhere in the world. Similarly, for professionals with experience in teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, this program will enable them to gain a deeper understanding of the key aspects required to deepen their expertise.
Applicant profile
The The Specialization in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language is open to professionals from all disciplines who wish to enter the field of Spanish language teaching, as well as to those already working in the field who wish to deepen their knowledge and review the various areas. tiene abre sus puertas a profesionales de todas las disciplinas que quieran incursionar en la enseñanza del español y a quienes ya estén en el campo puedan profundizar, revisar las diferentes áreas.
Course plan and curriculum
The specialization is 100% online, consists of two semesters, and comprises a total of 20 credits (960 hours).
Semester 1
Introductory module: Introductory grammar workshop
Component 1: Fundamentals of the Spanish language
Modules:
- Cognitive Grammar
- Teaching pronunciation in Spanish as a Foreign Language class
- Psycholinguistics
- Pedagogy and Didactics
Semester 2
Component 2: Methodological foundations of teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language.
Modules:
- Analysis, design and adaptation of teaching materials
- Digital tools in the second language classroom
- Language and Culture
- Assessment
- Final project seminar
******Minimum grade for each module: 3.5/5.0 3.5/5.0
Graduate profile
Graduates will be able to teach Spanish to non-native speakers at all levels, design and/or adapt teaching materials for this purpose and make use of ICT in their teaching practice. In addition, graduates will be able to contribute to, and design, academic programs tailored to students’ needs (conversation courses, writing courses, preparation for specific exams, etc.).
Why study the Specialization?
- Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) is a rapidly expanding field, and there is a need to train teachers who can meet the current demand. For this reason, the Externado University of Colombia has developed this specialization program to provide the world with well-trained and qualified teachers in the field.
- Those who complete this course will acquire the linguistic and methodological tools to teach Spanish at any level.
- As a 100% online course, students will not need be required to travel. This program is ideal for those who are unable to leave their professional commitments to attend face-to-face classes. Students can work at their own pace, organizing their time according to the schedule for each module (one per month).
Professors
Viviana Nieto M.
Cognitive Grammar
Diana Hincapié M.
Teaching Pronunciation in Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) classes
Luz Dary León W.
Psycholinguistics
Adriana Marcela Camacho
Pedagogy and Teaching Methodology
Viviana Nieto
Analysis, design and adaptation of teaching materials
Angélica María Meza
Digital tools in the second language classroom
Language and Culture
Adriana Marcela Camacho y Liliana Rojas
Beatriz María Peña
Assessment
Coordination
Liliana Rojas V.
Financial Support
The Externado University of Colombia is committed to developing strategies to help students finance their education.
Registration
- Find out about the additional requirements and procedures here
- Find out about discounts here..
- If you are applying for the first time, please click on this link
CREATING A USER ACCOUNT FOR THE FIRST TIME
If you are already registered, please enter your username and password..
- Once you have paid the registration fee, you will receive an email confirming the date and time of your interview.
- Please attach the required documents in PDF format and upload them to the applicant portal. This is required to be able to complete the admissions process.
All the information you need for your registration, admissions and enrollment process can be found here
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my university email isn’t working or I’ve forgotten my password?
Send an email to mes@uexternado.edu.co
The email must include your first name, surname, national ID number, program and contact telephone number. If possible, please include a screenshot showing the problem.
What should I do if my Moodle platform username isn't working or I've forgotten my password?
Send an email to mes@uexternado.edu.co
The email must include your first name, surname, national ID number, program and contact telephone number. If possible, please include a screenshot showing the problem.
How do I register for modules and/or re-enroll?
Deferred Module:
- You must have a deferral notice for the module you wish to register for.
- Contact your program coordinator to obtain the timetable and registration details for the course (NRC, term).
- In the AVANTE self-service portal, generate the payment order and follow the step-by-step instructions.
You will be notified via your institutional email address whether or not your course registration was successful; this will take approximately 10 working days.
Failed Module:
Please contact your program coordinator to obtain the course timetable and registration details (NRC).
If the registration is approved, the course will be registered, and you will be notified by email once the payment order has been generated.
If the registration is not approved, you will be notified of the reason why the course cannot be registered.
Once payment for the enrollment has been verified, you will be notified of the completion of the enrollment via your institutional email.
Re-enrollment:
You must obtain approval for re-enrollment.
Request a payment slip from the Finance Department by emailing paginaweb@uexternado.edu.co or by calling extension 4105. (This applies for specialization programs only)
You will be notified via your university email address as to whether your re-enrollment in the program has been approved or not; this process takes approximately 10 working days.
Note: Note: A payment will be due which corresponds to the difference between the program in which you are currently enrolled and the one you are re-enrolling in. The payment is the excess amount resulting from this calculation.
What should I do if I want to defer a module or the complete specialization?
You must notify the program coordinator by email as soon as you have made your decision.
If you are deferring a module, you must apply via the self-service portal (Avante) and a response to your deferral request will appear there. When you return to take the module again, you will be required to pay a fee for the deferral in accordance with the current fee regulations.
What is the minimum grade required to pass each module?
3.5/ 5.0
How can I request my academic certificates?
Make the payment for the certificate via the AVANTE platform.
How can I ask the professor to review my marks?
Once the marks have been published, the professor will notify students of the dates set aside for the review process. Within this period, if there are any errors or requests for clarification, the student should contact the professor by email to seek clarification. After the deadline, no requests for clarification or changes will be accepted.
What is the procedure for graduating from the program?
You must submit the following documents in PDF format to the program office:
- Identity document
- Undergraduate degree certificate and transcript
- Curriculum vitae
How can I apply for my degree certificate?
Registry Office:Once payment has been made and you have received confirmation of clearance, it will take 18 working days to issue the degree certificate and 25 working days to issue the diploma. You will also receive an email at your university address informing you that you may collect the documents.
Ceremony:It is determined by the schedule set by the Registrar’s Office; once the date has been confirmed, the documents (certificate and diploma) will be issued on the day of the ceremony.
Note: Only one of these two graduation modalities may be selected.
If I am not in Bogotá, what should I do to receive my diploma and transcript?
As these documents are issued in the city where the program was undertaken, you may authorize a third party (with a signed authorization and a photocopy of your ID card) to collect your graduation documents in Bogotá.
Can I use the library?
Yes, as a regular student at the University, you have the same rights as students on face-to-face programs.
Course structure and timetable
Format: online, asynchronous online
The Specialization in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) is delivered entirely online, with continuous, asynchronous support from professors, complemented by synchronous sessions (Bogotá time – GMT-5) which are not compulsory but are recommended. These sessions are recorded and sent out afterwards. The materials and activities for each module are available on the University’s online platform, which facilitates interaction between students and professors.
This online format offers flexibility in terms of time and location, allowing students to access the program from anywhere. Furthermore, the virtual classrooms are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing a dynamic environment with a range of tools to encourage the use of different learning strategies.
Although students do not share a physical space, the program encourages collaborative work, enriching the learning experience through the exchange of knowledge and professional experiences from different contexts.
Schedules:
Over the two semesters, students will take nine modules (one of which is optional) and a degree seminar, in which they will receive guidance on their final project.
As the course is 100% online, students will not have specific class times but are instead able to access materials without restriction within the timeframes set for each module. Students follow a given academic schedule that aims to help them manage their workload and organize their time.
Students will receive ongoing guidance from their professor or tutor regarding independent study and participation in the various activities and forums for each module.
With a view to making the most of students’ time in each subject area, students will take one module per month, with a break halfway through the academic year.
Externado University grants students on the specialization program the same rights and responsibilities as any other postgraduate student.
Certification requirements
To obtain the qualification of Specialist in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language, students must meet the following academic requirements:
- Complete and pass the 20 credits of the curriculum.
- Achieve a minimum grade of 3.5/5.0 in each module.
- Have no outstanding academic or financial obligations with the university.
Agreement with the Caro y Cuervo Institute
Agreement with the Caro y Cuervo Institute The University has signed an academic cooperation agreement with the Caro y Cuervo Institute with a view to establishing academic partnerships, with one of the aims being to strengthen the teaching of Spanish to international learners in Colombia. To this end, those who complete the Specialization in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language (ELE) may apply for the Master’s Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign and Second Language (MELE/2), the only postgraduate program in the world that trains teacher-researchers in the teaching and learning processes of Spanish for three target groups: international learners, indigenous people and deaf learners. If accepted, 20 credits will be recognized, whether studying on-campus or online.
Events
Virtual event
In this globalized context, the Universidad Externado de Colombia, through its Center for Teaching Spanish to Foreigners (CEPEX), has designed an online "Specialization in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language" program to meet the growing demand for professionals in this field. The purpose of this specialization is to further the professional development of individuals from all disciplines, equipping them with the theoretical and practical tools needed to teach Spanish as a foreign language anywhere in the world. Likewise, for professionals with existing experience in the field, this program offers the opportunity to deepen their understanding of key aspects and achieve true expertise.
Calendar – Important Dates
Registration: starting in March 2026
- Semester 1 from July 2 to November 24, 2026
- Semester 2 from February 2 to July 11, 2027
Fees:
- Tuition fee (first semester):$7.884.000
- Tuition fee (second semester): $9.636.000
