Master's Degree in Training of Teachers of Spanish as a Foreign Language
Barcelona, Spain
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
Spanish
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 19 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
* 19.37 euros per credit (82 euros for students who are not EU nationals and do not currently reside in Spain). Fees for the academic year 2025-2026
Key Summary
About: The Master's in Teacher Training for Spanish as a Foreign Language (FPELE, SFL) at the University of Barcelona, coordinated with Pompeu Fabra University, trains professionals for teaching and research. This interuniversity programme combines theory and practice in language pedagogy, applied linguistics and research in language teaching. The University of Barcelona, founded in 1450, has alumni working in universities, Cervantes Institute centres, language schools and publishing houses.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can teach SFL, work in educational publishing, or pursue research; the programme's reputation supports employability. Roles include SFL teacher, Cervantes Institute instructor, curriculum developer/materials writer, and researcher in applied linguistics.
The master's degree in Training of Teachers of Spanish as a Foreign Language (FPELE) prepares future professionals for research and teaching in the field of Spanish as a foreign language (SFL). It provides comprehensive theoretical and practical training in the teaching of foreign languages in general and in SFL in particular, as well as introducing students to the different research areas related to the field.
This interuniversity master's degree is coordinated by the Faculty of Teacher Training at the University of Barcelona in collaboration with the Department of Translation and Language Sciences at Pompeu Fabra University.
The degree provides pioneering training for prospective SFL teachers from the academic, scientific and professional perspectives. Many professionals now working in the field ' in departments of Spanish at foreign universities, at Cervantes Institute centres, and in language schools, publishing houses, etc. ' have graduated from one of the 25 past editions of the course.
In this program, students will:
- Acquire an understanding of the basic concepts of teaching and learning foreign languages and the ability to apply them to specific teaching contexts.
- Assimilate theoretical and practical knowledge of how the formal and functional systems of the Spanish language operate, in order to give them the didactic treatment that the teaching context requires.
- Acquire an understanding of the different approaches to the teaching of SFL, and the capacity to apply them to planning and evaluation of the teaching-learning process in a manner consistent with the teaching context.
- Acquire the capacity to analyse teaching-learning activities and adapt and apply them in the classroom to foster learning opportunities and create new activities.
- Learn to critically read research on L2 and carry out research into the teaching and learning of SFL.
- Learn to use tools that facilitate self-analysis and reflection on the learning process, in order to evaluate teaching performance with respect to the requirements of the teaching context.
- Acquire the capacity to take on different responsibilities within the professional world of SFL.
The University of Barcelona consistently ranks among the top institutions nationally, in Europe, and worldwide. Its performance in the most prestigious international rankings reflects excellence in teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and global engagement.
- Ranked 1st nationally in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
- Ranked 1st nationally in the THE (Times Higher Education) World University Rankings
- Ranked 1st nationally and 68th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings
- Ranked 1st nationally and 27th in Europe in the Best Global Universities Rankings
Studying at the University of Barcelona means joining a world-class academic community recognized for its innovation and impact.
Competences
General competences:
Upon completion of the master's degree, students will be able to:
- manage (identify, organize and systematize) information in order to build knowledge on the processes of teaching and research;
- observe, evaluate and reflect to analyse their own teaching performance and learning processes;
- work in teams, displaying a commitment to of cooperation and consideration for diversity.
Specific competences:
With regard to the specific applications of their knowledge, students will be able to:- identify and apply the fundamental concepts involved in the teaching and learning of foreign languages;
- interpret how the formal and functional systems of the Spanish language operate and give them the didactic treatment that the teaching context requires;
- describe in depth the formal levels of linguistic analysis ' phonetic, morphosyntactic, lexical and discursive;
- plan and evaluate the teaching and learning of languages in a manner consistent with the teaching context and the required methodological approach, as established in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR);
- design and implement diverse activities and learning opportunities in the classroom that encourage the development of effective communication skills in learners of Spanish at all CEFR levels;
- select and develop teaching materials adapted to different contexts and learning situations;
- integrate information and communication technologies (ICTs) into SFL teaching;
- make use of diverse manifestations of Hispanic culture, such as film and literature, as teaching resources in SFL teaching;
- develop the strategies to understand research into L2 teaching and learning;
- collect, analyse and interpret empirical data from research in the field of SFL learning and teaching;
- use ICT resources in the collection and analysis of data for research in the field of SFL;
- respond to the demands of a specific teaching context and take on different responsibilities as a teacher and as member of teaching staff.
Successful graduates will have the skills and capacities to teach in a variety of educational areas related to SFL, to work in the educational publishing industry in a related area, or to pursue a research career in the area of language teaching.
The strong reputation of the coordinating universities makes this master's degree a benchmark for graduate employment and employability.
6th May at 1:30 pm and 8th May 2025 at 3:00 pm
Recommended applicant profile
The master's degree is intended for holders of pre-EHEA degrees or bachelor's degrees (or equivalent qualifications issued outside Spain) in philology, translation or education, and graduates in other disciplines who would like to acquire specialized training in a different field. Since it was first offered the course has been internationally oriented, and it has been taught to students from each of the five continents. This feature is to be maintained, giving the master's the advantage of the intercultural enrichment that comes from working with groups of students from diverse backgrounds.