Border Studies Program

Happenings

  • Read the participants' updates from the Borderlands and follow their experiences throughout the semester at our Border Studies blog.
  • Resources page is updated with links to recent BSP students' final projects. Books, zines, and cds based on their experience in the borderlands have all been produced by recent participants.
  • Attention BSP Alums: We want to hear from you! Take a few moments to fill out the alumni survey.
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Language Learning

Courses | Supervised Field Study | Language Learning | Living Arrangements | Cultural Excursions |
How To Apply

A photo of a sign advertising groceries, in both English and Spanish, at the Sasabe store in Sasabe, Sonora.

The border region is a linguistically diverse area that offers many opportunities for students to practice Spanish.

The borderlands is a bilingual region, which presents rich opportunities for language learning. You will no doubt hear both Spanish and English being spoken in various locations. You will also hear creative and fascinating uses of language. The Border Studies Program offers flexibility in language use and offers programming for those with higher-level language skills as well as for those who are newer to Spanish.

Two years of college-level Spanish (or equivalent) are required prior to the beginning of the Spring semester program. Students with more Spanish language skills will find their language level to be very beneficial.

Create Your Own Language Learning Experience

In many ways students have the opportunity to structure the level of Spanish language use that they would like. Some students, for example, may prefer a field study where Spanish is the dominant language, while others may prefer to locate themselves in an English dominant situation. The field study situations range from complete use of Spanish to use of English with some Spanish, with many variations in language use in between.  Some of the families in Tucson are Spanish speaking; others are not.  By informing the program of your language learning interests, the staff can place you in a family that best matches with your interests.

Ways to Achieve Your Language Learning Objectives

  • Take advantage of using and practicing Spanish, you can ask to live with a Spanish speaking family in Tucson
  • Take advantage of opportunities when presented to interact in Spanish throughout extended travel seminars in Mexico
  • Choose to read some assignments in Spanish
  • Participate in a field study placement where Spanish is the dominant language
  • Interact in Spanish as much as possible. You may also want to listen to Spanish radio stations, watch TV programs in Spanish, and read other materials in Spanish.
  • Organize a Spanish language discussion group with your peers participating in the program

The Border Studies Program has contacts with Spanish language instructors in Tucson and can arrange for students to participate in informal classes either in groups or individually during their time in Tucson.


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