Spanish Language Proficiency Resources for Social Services

"The University of Kansas Collaborative Digital Spanish Project (Acceso) is an open-access, digital learning environment designed to promote the acquisition of Spanish and the development of cultural understanding of the varied groups of people who share Spanish as a common language." (No cost.)

"This site, aimed at Spanish language learners, educators, and researchers, provides an online corpus of videos of second language and heritage language learners of Spanish during oral interviews covering a variety of topics." By Jennifer Witte & Dale Koike, from the University of Texas at Austin. (No cost.)

"This specialization is designed for the beginner who may have no experience with learning a second language but who wants to be able to read, write and speak Spanish for personal, travel or business use, or who just wants to learn a second language and build cultural awareness." From Coursera and offered by UC Davis. (If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. Otherwise, there is a fee.)

"This course is structured in four modules, each one revolving on a topic related to the physician-patient interaction. Each module contains four lessons; on grammar, vocabulary, the dynamics of the spoken interaction, and aspects of sociocultural relevance." From Coursera and offered by Rice University. (If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. Otherwise, there is a fee. Also, if you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.)

"A website for learning and practicing real-world Spanish grammar... Provides detailed grammar explanations and examples of the Spanish language with accompanying practice questions." By Barbara E. Bullock and Almeida Jacqueline Toribio, from the University of Texas at Austin. (No cost.)

A series of Spanish language courses from MIT OpenCourseWare, ranging from Spanish I through IV, to conversation and composition, and more. (No cost.)

(Note: Not an online course) "The "Spanish Vocabulary and Phrases for Social Services Professionals" CD contains 13 lessons designed to create a more productive interaction with Spanish speaking clients." Available in CD or MP3 format. From Maria Oliveira Language Learning. ($25 for CD and book -or- $19.95 for MP3 and PDF of book)