UNAM - San Antonio

About UNAM - San Antonio

UNAM - USA in San Antonio, Texas, promotes multinational integration through language instruction, the diffusion of culture, academic extension and relations with academic institutions in the United States.

UNAM - México

Founded in 1551, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) is not only the oldest, but by far the largest institution of higher education in Mexico. With its main campus located in Mexico City, it is a comprehensive public university with a wide and diverse infrastructure developed along its history and fulfilling its mission of education, research and the dissemination of culture. Its contributions to the country’s cultural development have been instrumental and have covered practically all aspects. In explaining its national character, it is necessary to mention that its essential purpose is to serve the country as a whole. It should suffice to say that close to fifty percent of all research is conducted at UNAM, and indeed there are certain fields in which practically all of the research is done at the University.

UNAM - San Antonio

Objectives and Background

In 1944 UNAM extended its presence beyond the national borders to the United States. From its modest beginning as a seasonal school operating from borrowed spaces in local high schools and universities, UNAM in San Antonio has come a long way. It occupied its first permanent location in Hemisfair Park obtained through the auspices of the Mexican government and the generosity of the City of San Antonio in 1972. Thanks to the continuous support of the community and the City of San Antonio, UNAM inaugurated its new facilities, also in Hemisfair Park, in 1986. From seasonal courses in literature, art, and history offered by Mexican scholars brought in from Mexico City in the early years, it has evolved to offering courses all year round. The student population has changed over time from groups of mainly Mexicans interested in preserving their heritage, to a very diverse student body. In meeting the needs of the San Antonio community, UNAM started offering Spanish classes and later on, in 1983, it added English courses. The services have also been expanded through the years to include translation services and a Spanish oral proficiency test applied to individuals whose job description demands the skills in this language. As a window to Mexican culture, UNAM in San Antonio has made available the resources of its parent institution in Mexico City. It is a two-way bridge for the flow of ideas and knowledge serving as a link between diverse public and private universities and organizations, and the different schools, institutes and centers of UNAM. In fulfillment of UNAM’s mission, its branch campus in San Antonio focuses on the three main areas: teaching, research and the dissemination of culture.

Teaching and Research

UNAM in San Antonio serves not only students who wish to learn Spanish or English, but also those interested in issues related to Mexico and the United States. Special courses are also designed to meet the demands of public and private organizations and other academic institutions that can take place on-site or in-house. UNAM campus in San Antonio has also extended both its Spanish and English language courses to serve the needs of teen-agers and children in the community.

The Spanish courses are taught by Mexican instructors who also do important work in the field of research applied to classroom needs. As a result of these efforts, three of a series of five textbooks have been written at UNAM in San Antonio and have been published by UNAM. h

The English Department has grown constantly to satisfy an increasing demand. Courses in this area are designed to offer maximum opportunity for immersion into the language and culture through its curricular and extracurricular activities. Again, as in the Spanish Department, the high quality of instruction results as well from small classes taught by native speakers.

The latest trends in the teaching of languages are explored in the biannual conferences organized by each Department. Teachers from the United States, Mexico and Canada attend these conferences.

Academic Extension and Cultural Dissemination

To meet its objectives of academic extension and cultural dissemination, UNAM in San Antonio conducts symposia, seminars, panel discussions and lectures with the participation of scholars, writers and artists in the various disciplines of the humanities and the sciences. Regular exhibits promote the work of rising and established artists. Some of these activities have been carried out at the UNAM in San Antonio campus, while others have taken place in different venues, thus achieving a greater impact on the community.

As part of the bicultural dimension of UNAM in San Antonio, since its beginning, a group of students and a professor from the School of Political and Social Sciences have been participating the Model OAS organized several years by the World Affairs Council in San Antonio and now by St. Mary’s University.

As a pioneer in the latest advances in telecommunications, the UNAM campus in San Antonio boasted one of the first direct lines linking through videoconferencing the UNAM campuses in Mexico and San Antonio. It has also has state of modern technology in the classrooms.

Link Role

UNAM’s uniqueness as a foreign institution in the United States has enabled its campus in San Antonio to serve a as link between different schools, research institutes, centers and administrative offices within UNAM and their counterparts in the U.S. In this role, this campus has served as facilitator for the signing of several agreements with other universities.

Successful exchange programs are continuously developed with other higher education institutions as an example of international academic collaboration and to further the mission of our university.

Collaboration with the City of San Antonio

To reciprocate the gracious hospitality of the City of San Antonio, for over 10 years UNAM has been offering scholarships to employees of the City. In 1995 UNAM in San Antonio developed a Spanish oral proficiency test to meet the needs of the City, having tested over 4,500 employees since. Also in reciprocity, the fees involved in the testing have been kept the same since that year. As of this year UNAM in San Antonio will also collaborate with the City doing translations for different departments.

Economic Impact

Throughout the years, the reputation of UNAM in San Antonio has attracted many foreigners, especially Mexicans, whose presence economically benefits the City of San Antonio and helps promote this city as a tourist destination. As an example, last year, five groups with a total of 311 Mexican English instructors attended special teacher development programs at this campus. UNAM also works with other universities in Mexico who send groups of students to attend specially customized courses and activities. Another area of impact is the direct employment of local teachers and staff.

Planning for the Future

UNAM continuously monitors economic development and academic needs to build a solid future and insure that its curricular offerings meet the needs of the community.

Accreditation

Universidad Nacional Autonoma De Mexico (UNAM) San Antonio is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation for the period of December 2015 through December 2019 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a nationally accredited agency for English language programs and institutions in the U.S.

TOEFL

TOEFL Preparation

This advanced course is designed for students to reach the international standard of the Test of English as a Foreign Language ( Test of Inglés as a Foreign Language). Reading skills , listening and writing work , as well as vocabulary and grammar. Emphasize fluency in oral production to achieve the best possible result on this test.

Prerequisite: The student must have completed level VI or have equivalent knowledge . This course consists of 75 hours of class in the spring and fall sessions and 30 hours in the summer session.

Language Programs

English Programs

English Programs

General Overview

Throughout the year, the UNAM-San Antonio offers English and Spanish classes as well as workshops and courses on different topics relevant to Mexico and the United States. Four levels of French courses are also offered in spring and fall. Additionally, during the summer.

Semester

UNAM-San Antonio offers English courses on a semester-long basis. Courses meet twice a week during the evening. Students practice English language skills related to speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary. Nine levels of instruction are offered from basic to advanced levels. An English language placement test must be taken before entering into any level.

Nine levels of instruction are available from absolute beginner to advanced Evening schedules only 15 weeks of instruction spring and fall 10 weeks of instruction summer Certificates given for completing level 6 and level 8 with a minimum grade of 85% or higher in each course Courses in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar Placement exams of English ability

Intensive

UNAM-San Antonio offers English courses on an intensive format. Depending on the time of year, courses last 3 weeks, 5 weeks, or 7 weeks. Students practice skills related to speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary and idioms. Nine skill levels are offered from basic to advanced levels. An English language placement test must be taken before entering into any level.

Nine levels of instruction available from absolute beginner to advanced Morning and afternoon schedules only 7 weeks of instruction Spring 1, Spring 2, Fall 1, Fall 2 5 weeks of instruction Summer 1 3 weeks of instruction Spring 3, Summer 2 Certificates given for completing level 6 and level 8 with a total grade of 855 or higher Courses in reading, writing, listening, speaking, grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, idioms Cultural aspects included in each level Conversation

These courses are focused on the development of a student’s spoken English ability. Three different levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced) are offered throughout the year according to the student’s knowledge of English. An English placement exam is required to enter this program.

Three levels of instruction available from beginner to advanced Afternoon schedules Cultural aspects included in each level

TOEFL

This advanced course is designed for the student to reach the international standard of the TOEFL test (Test of English as a Foreign Language)*. This course focuses on the TOEFL iBT version which includes the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in both independent and integrated formats. This course emphasizes fluency in English so that a student can reach the highest score possible on this test. This course lasts for 75 hours in the spring and in the fall on a semester basis. Thirty hours of instruction is offered in each summer session, Summer I and Summer II.

75 hours of instruction spring and fall semesters 30 hours of instruction summer 1 and summer 2 sessions Test taking strategies introduced Practice for reading, writing, listening and speaking sections

Pre-requisite: Students must have finished Level 6 or possess the equivalent knowledge. An English placement exam is required to enter the course.

Spanish Programs

Spanish Programs

General Overview

Our Spanish courses are taught by native Spanish-speakers who are experienced in the teaching of the language. Small groups and the professionalism and dedication of instructors who truly care about their students’ progress allow personalized instruction and lead to better learning. Linguistic and intercultural exchanges with native Spanish speakers are activities organized by the Spanish and English Departments to practice what is learned.

Semester

Seven levels of Spanish are offered, from beginners to advanced, in morning and evening courses. Each level consists of 75 hours of instruction which include grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking while incorporating cultural aspects. These courses are equivalent to 5 semester credit hours. All new students must take a placement exam to determine their previous knowledge of the language. Spanish Certificate Students completing level VII with a minimum grade of B (85) will receive a certificate issued by UNAM’s main campus.

Conversation

These courses focus on the development of the student's oral ability. Three distinct levels are offered based on prior knowledge of the language. Upon registering, the students must take a placement test to determine their level.

Pre-requisite for beginners

Have taken English I or have equivalent knowledge. Each course consists of 15 hours of instruction. No credits are given.

French Program

French Programs General Overview

Semester

UNAM- San Antonio offers four levels of French on a semester basis for beginners and intermediate students of French. Courses are offered during the evening on either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays. Semester levels have 60 hours of instruction. Courses include development of listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, pronunciation and grammatical skills. French is spoken in the classroom from the first day of class. Upon registering, students are asked to take a placement exam to determine their fluency level.

French Conversation Courses

These courses focus on the development of a student’s ability to speak and understand French. Pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammatical structures are also developed in these courses. Three distinct levels are offered based on prior knowledge of the language. French is spoken in the classroom from the first day of class. Upon registering, students must take a placement exam to determine their fluency level. Each French conversation course consists of 15 hours of instruction.

Private & Corporate Courses

Private Courses

Need one on one instruction? We offer on campus private courses. We want to help you learn it contact us for more information about our private courses.

Off-Campus Courses for Institutions

Have you thought of the advantage of having qualified personnel who can efficiently communicate in Spanish or who need to develop greater skills in English as a second language?

UNAM in San Antonio offers Spanish and English courses designed to meet the specific needs of public and private institutions. Language is taught in context taking into consideration the social and cultural elements involved in communication. Our faculty members are native speakers with many years of experience in the teaching of languages and in designing special programs.

Throughout the years, the school has taught courses for specific purposes to places such as Rackspace, Bexar County Womens Bar, Healthsouth RIOSA, USAA, Valero Energy, UTHSCSA, San Antonio Independent School District, Southwest Research Institute, J.C. Penney, Methodist Hospital, Santa Rosa Childrens Hospital, Bexar County Courthouse, Oppenheimer, Blend & Tate, Saint Marys University, University of Texas Austin, Adesa Auctions San Antonio and AT&T.

Give your employees the opportunity to serve your company better without the hassle of commuting during business hours or after a long day on the job. We teach these courses at your workplace or in our facilities.