Frequently Asked Questions

 

What languages can I study at the Language Center (LC)?

The LC regularly offers courses in German, French, English, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish as a Foreign Language.

Foreign language courses can be long term or intensive (summer), and their duration is set according to their difficulty and language level.

Preparatory courses on strategies for passing the Acles tests.

 

What types of courses are currently offered?

Five types of courses:

1) Foreign language courses can be four-monthly or intensive and their duration will be established according to their difficulty and language level.

2) The 30-hour Spanish courses for students taking part in international mobility programmes take place in September and February. Subsequently, there will be 30-hour regular courses open to the general public.

3) Preparation courses for the Acles Examinations.

4) Academic English courses: writing skills and oral presentations.

5) Thematic summer courses: ActivEnglish, Cooking in English/French/German etc.

 

How do I know what my level is? Do I have to take a placement test before registering for a course?

If you do not have previous certification, so you do not know your level, we recommend a self-assessment test: LEVEL TEST.

 

Do I need to belong to the UDC to take a language course?

No. People from outside the university can also study at LC.

 

Do UDC members and external students have the same fees?

No. Students, administrative staff and research academic staff of the University of A Coruña have a discount.

 

What is the minimum/maximum age to register at the Language Centre?

The minimum age is 16 and there is no maximum age.

 

Where and how can I register?

In COURSES OFFER  you will find information about all the courses with open registration. There you will be able to upload the necessary documentation and pay with credit card.

 

What types of certificates can I obtain after attending courses at the CL?

  • Certificate of attendance: in order to obtain it, students must attend at least 85% of the course (attendance is controlled in the classrooms). The certificates include the number of hours of the course and the dates in which it was held.
  • Certificate of academic progress (with the right to credits): students must attend at least 85% of the teaching hours and the corresponding exam must be passed. The certificates include the name of the course, the level, the number of hours, the dates on which the course was taken, the number of ECTS credits and the mark obtained.
  • Certificate of academic progress (without the right to credits): the student must pass the corresponding exam. The certificates include the course name, the level, the number of hours, the dates on which the course was taken and the mark obtained.

     

Deadline for certificate issuing: certificates are delivered within a minimum period of one month after the exam has taken place.

 

Can I sign up for a course in the second semester without having taken a course in the first semester?

Yes, you can, as long as you have the suitable level to access the course of the second semester that you want to take.

 

When are the course exams?

At the end of each term. Normally they take place on the last day of class.

 

Does my registration include an exam?

Yes, it does.

 

When can I ask for a refund of the registration fee?

For refunding of the registration fee, the following criteria are followed:

  • The total amount of the registration will be only refunded when the activity is not carried out in the Language Center for reasons not attributable to the registrees.
  • The Center can return the amount in special cases that it considers justified. According to this, a specific application form should be sent to the Language Center up to a maximum of five working days after the beginning of the course.

The following cases are considered justified:

  • When there is an employment contract that implies incompatibility with the course in which you are registered. You must provide a copy of the employment contract.
  • Due to an accident or illness that makes it impossible to continue the course regularly. You must provide a medical report.
  • Due to attributable causes of the UDC in academic activities, which makes it impossible to attend the course. You must present an evidence from the institution.

 When the refund is considered justified, the Language Center will retain 12 € for administration expenses.

The estimated time to receive the return is one month from the delivery by the student of the return form.

 

What is the recognition of the level domain certificates (CertAcles) of the Language Center?

As an accredited member of Acles and Cercles, the diploma of level accreditation is acknowledged by Spanish and European universities. It also has the support of CRUE as a model of language accreditation.

The Department of Culture, Education and University Organisation of the Xunta de Galicia (regional government of Galicia) published in the DOG of 7 July 2016 an Order by which the procedure of competence accreditation in foreign languages is established.

This Order extends the recognition of the certificates with the seal of CertAcles issued by the Universities of the Association of Language Centres in Higher Education (ACLES), for the purpose of certifying the competence in languages of the teaching staff.

 

Can I get my English accreditation at the Language Center?

 Yes, the UDC Language Center has established several mechanisms to certify your English level:

  •  Certificates of the CertAcles Language Centres (Certcles) for levels B1 and B2.
  •  External certificates of which we are official examiners: IELTS (British Council), APTIS (British Council).

 

I've already finished my university studies, so do I need these accreditations?

You may need accretitation to apply for various grants or, with the new regulations, to be able to acces, for example, the new "Master's Degree in Teacher Training in Compulsory Secondary and Upper Secondary School Educatión" among other masters.