More Aussies to learn Spanish from Kiwis

Massey is offering Australian students more choice as it expands its successful Spanish programme.

The University signed an agreement with the University of New England in Armidale, New South Wales, in 2011 to provide a Spanish major to its students. Now, in its second year, more courses are being added to the programme.

Massey Spanish senior lecturer Leonel Alvarado says last year four online language papers were offered and 155 students enrolled.

“This year, we’re offering 10 courses, five per semester, covering language, culture and literature and we’re developing two new courses for 2014. It’s very exciting and we’re so happy to be working with UNE.”

So far more than 120 students had signed up for first semester courses and with enrolments still open, the number is expected to grow before classes start at the end of this month. Students from the University of Western Sydney – a partner university to UNE – will also be able to enrol in the programme for the first time.

Massey delivers its Spanish programme through distance learning and UNE hosts on-campus tutorials and intensive contact courses run twice yearly by Massey language staff.

UNE School of Arts head Professor Darryl Poulsen visited Massey yesterday and says the programme has exceeded expectations. “One of the reasons we decided to partner with Massey is because they have considerable expertise in online delivery and distance education.

“The partnership with our colleagues here at Massey’s Spanish programme has been absolutely wonderful. The feedback from students has been consistently exemplary. It’s been a very successful partnership.”

School of Humanities head Associate Professor Kerry Taylor says the programme is a great example of thinking outside the square. “Massey’s Spanish language staff have worked really hard to build this programme and this relationship, and it’s been very successful.”