Spanish (JH)

Overview

Why study Spanish?

Spanish is the native language of over 500 million people across Spain and central and southern America and the Caribbean, as well as parts of Africa and the US, and is an exciting and growing area of study. It is second only to English in the number of countries in which it is officially spoken. It is an official language in the European Union, the African Union, and the United Nations. 

Whether a beginner or non-beginner in Spanish, you will very quickly feel a valued member of the Trinity Department of Hispanic Studies, one with a rich history that goes back to 1776. You will be taught by native speakers and leading experts in Spanish and Latin American studies who will help you to discover or deepen your interest in the Spanish-speaking world, giving you the opportunity to study a variety of language, literature, and cultural modules, while helping you to develop your language skills and intellectual abilities. Our students consistently attain high levels of linguistic and intercultural competence and advanced research skills. You can be confident that a degree in Spanish will provide a lifetime of personal and professional opportunities.

Do you enjoy…

• Learning about the similarities and differences between your country and Spain and Latin America?
• Experiencing the fascinating and varied cultures of these countries, their history, literature, and cinema?
• Enhancing your modern language skills for social and career purposes?

Spanish at Trinity

Study Spanish language from beginner level or continue your advanced level in a small group setting, taught by experienced native speakers. Learn about the fascinating and varied cultures of Spanish-speaking countries, their history, literature, and cinema. Experience a life-changing opportunity to study abroad. Develop linguistic abilities and intercultural competencies for a competitive advantage in the job market.

Pathways

The pathways available are Single Honours, Major with Minor and Joint Honours. There may also be an opportunity to take this subject up as a New Minor Subject from second year.

Graduate skills and career opportunities

In-depth study of languages has never been more relevant. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in machine translation and communication, there is an ever-growing demand for highly fluent, multi-lingual and critical-thinking individuals who can effectively navigate multicultural environments and engage in complex international negotiations.

Independent thinking and critical analysis skills, linguistic abilities, intercultural communication competencies, and advanced research and presentation skills are just a few of core competencies which a degree in Spanish will help you develop and expand. 

Graduates follow a wide range of careers all over the world. While some build directly on a specialised knowledge of subjects studied, more commonly it is the general intellectual and personal skills developed which prove to be of most obvious value to employers.

Your degree will open many career opportunities in education, journalism, the diplomatic service, business administration, banking, publishing, interpreting, translation, advertising, public relations, digital communication, and visual media. Recent graduates have started careers in Google, Oracle, Telefónica, Ryanair, Central Ban of Ireland, Gerson Lehrman Group, NGOs, and the European Union. Many graduates have also pursued postgraduate degrees in Hispanic Studies and related fields.

Your degree and what you’ll study

At entry, Spanish must be combined with one other subject. In later years, you will be able to select additional subjects and electives. 

Spanish at Trinity is taught by a variety of methods to equip you with a comprehensive range of language skills. The Department offers intensive language teaching (five hours a week) for beginners.

First and second years

In the first two years, the course covers three main areas:

Language: you will select beginners or advanced level and study grammar, text analysis, and intensive practice in communication skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing). You will have the option to add Beginner's Portuguese in second year also.

Iberoamerican Cultures: an introduction to the history and cultural productions of the Iberoamerican world.

Literature and cinema: close study of a range of Spanish and Latin American literary texts and films.
 

Third and fourth years

You will continue with language study, taking advanced classes that will consolidate your knowledge of grammar and syntax and provide practice in communication skills. You will also be able to deepen your knowledge of Hispanic cultures through the specialist study of literature, theatre, and film. 

You will work more independently and with significant freedom of choice. As well as studying Spanish language, you will choose other modules specialising in topics as diverse as Medieval and Golden Age Spanish Literature; Cuban theatre; Galician film and Mexican Indigenous literature. You will also have the opportunity to conduct independent research as part of your final year project known as a Capstone project.

At all levels, you will be assessed by a combination of exams, essays, and continuous assessment. Language modules are assessed by continuous assessment, written and oral examinations and class tests.

There are QQI/FET routes available for this course. Please see www.cao.ie for details.
Click here for further information on modules/subjects.

Study abroad

A year or semester studying abroad is one of the highlights of a student’s Trinity experience. Immersing yourself in the language and culture is also one of the most valuable ways of achieving fluency and deepening your knowledge of the politics, history, and culture of the country. 

Joint Honours students are encouraged to spend a year or a semester in their third year at one of our partner universities. We currently have exchange agreements with the Universities of Granada, León, Salamanca, Seville, Oviedo, Almería, Santiago de Compostela and Barcelona, among others. For more information on study abroad destinations and requirements visit: www.tcd.ie/global/mobility/outbound/