ESPEX: an example of interculturality, multilingualism, inclusion and migration
Apart from teaching Spanish to foreigners, ESPEX allows students to be immersed in spaces full of interculturality, multilingualism and inclusion.
Watch video
Centro de Lenguas
Spanish Program for Foreign Students
Available: Medellín and Bucaramanga
ESPEX (Español para extranjeros) is a Spanish program for foreign students created at UPB Language Center to meet the demand for Spanish learning programs offered not only to foreigners, but also to customers or institutions abroad.
Register now in our ESPEX Program at our Language Center!
Class types
We offer group classes (2-10 students) and private classes.
Our schedule
Typically, courses run on a basis of 2-hour-block sessions: 10-12 / 12-2 / 2-4, Monday through Friday.
Placement test
If you already know some Spanish, you will be asked to take a placement test before the beginning of the course. This includes a short interview with one of our teachers.
Extra services
Visas: we provided orientation and assistance, as needed.
Auditing regular classes: possibility of sitting in one or more of our Humanities courses.
Language exchange: exchange your language with a Colombian student in campus.
Clubs: we offer Conversation and Reading clubs (open to all!).
Academic tutoring (extra help with your Spanish): one of our pre-service teachers (tutors) can provide extra help with your Spanish.
Videos
Concert: a triptych about uprooting; a dialogic concert
A triptych about uprooting is an example of how music allows to take to ELE (Español como Lengua Extranjera) classes social, political and cultural phenomena, typical of our national environment.
ESPEX: an example of interculturality, multilingualism, inclusion and migration
Apart from teaching Spanish to foreigners, ESPEX allows students to be immersed in spaces full of interculturality, multilingualism and inclusion.
Watch video
Concert: a triptych about uprooting; a dialogic concert
A triptych about uprooting is an example of how music allows to take to ELE (Español como Lengua Extranjera) classes social, political and cultural phenomena, typical of our national environment.
1/2
Teachers from UPB Spanish program for Foreigners of the Language Center share their experiences regarding the students’ perspectives about ESPEX (Español para Extranjeros) program.
Courses and levels
The General Spanish program comprises 16 courses corresponding to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Each course lasts 40 hours.
| Level | Sub-level | Courses |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | A1 | 1 and 2 |
| A2 | A2 | 3 and 4 |
| B1 | B1.1 | 5 and 6 |
| B1.2 | 7 and 8 | |
| B2 | B2.1 | 9 and 10 |
| B2.2 | 11 and 12 | |
| C1 | C1.1 | 13 and 14 |
| C1.2 | 15 and 16 |
Intensity: 10 hours per week.
Note: 20-hour-per-week classes may be available based on demand.
Course schedule 2026
Medellín
| Semester | Cycle | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Cycle 1 | Jan 19 to Feb 13 |
| Cycle 2 | Feb 16 to Mar 13 | |
| Cycle 3 | Mar 16 to Apr 20 | |
| Cycle 4 | Apr 23 to May 22 | |
| Cycle 5 | May 25 to June 23 | |
| Semester 2 | Cycle 6 | Jul 14 to Aug 12 |
| Cycle 7 | Aug 13 to Sept 10 | |
| Cycle 8 | Sept 14 to Oct 9 | |
| Cycle 9 | Oct 13 to Nov 10 | |
| Cycle 10 | Nov 11 to Dec 11 |
Once you have the course invoice, pay for your course
In Bucaramanga, the courses are offered on demand.
Our fees 2026
$ 2.141.400 COP
1 course
$ 4.282.800
2 courses
3 or more courses: These get a 10% discount.
$ 4.281.900
1 course
$ 8.563.800
2 courses
3 or more courses: These get a 10% discount.
$ 1.600.200
1 course
$ 3.200.400
2 courses
3 or more courses: These get a 10% discount.
Disponible próximamente
*COP: Colombian pesos.
Registration process
- Determine with the coordinator the type of course, the entry level (according to placement test), and the number of courses to be paid.
- Deliver a copy of your passport’s identification page and entry stamp or visa.
- Have your personal data entered into the system.
- Pay by debit or credit card (directly at our Language Center) or by cash (at one of the bank branches in Campus).
- Send the coordinator an invoice request letter. Attach a scanned copy of the main page of your passport. Make sure to include address and phone number correctly in the letter.
- Do the payment at the nearest Citibank branch office upon reception of invoice on the part of UPB (the coordinator will send you procedure details).
- Send the coordinator a scanned copy or fax of the bank receipt (proof of payment). Make sure to include clear full name and the word ESPEX. Keep the original receipt and bring it with you!
Upon entering the ESPEX Spanish for foreign students Program at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana Language Center, you accept the following general conditions:
1. Academic hours: an academic hour of class corresponds to 55 minutes of student-teacher contact (not 60 minutes). Therefore, a 2-hour-block is a 1-hour-and-50-minute class.
2. Attendance: attending 80% of the course will allow you to get a certificate of attendance (delivered on demand).
3. Study visa application process: if you need to apply for a study visa before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through an acceptance letter from UPB Language Center while in Colombia, you must:
- register, at least, for three courses in a row (120 hours);
- commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week of lessons;
- pay in advance for 100% of the cost of all the courses of the contracted program you will take during the time of your visa;
- attend the 80% of each course. If you fail to attend the 20% of a course without a valid reason and without notification to the coordinator, the University will report the competent authorities of your absence.
Refund
A. The UPB will refund 100% of the value of the contracted program only in the following cases:
- When the University has been responsible for the cancellation of the course.
- When a student has been refused a visa by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- When, by force majeure, a student cannot start the contracted program (Each case will be justified in writing and analyzed by the Evaluation Committee of the Language Center).
B. The UPB will refund 90% of the value of the contracted program when the student reports in writing on the cancellation of the program before its start or before elapsing 10% of it.
Preguntas frecuentes
El proceso de inscripción consta de los siguientes pasos: 1. Verificación de documentación y estatus legal. 2. Examen de clasificación. 3. Inscripción y pago. The registration process consists of the following: 1. Verification of documents and legal status. 2. Placement test. 3. Registration and payment.
El programa cubre del nivel A1 al C1 del MCER. // The program covers CEFR levels from A1 to C1.
El programa consta de 16 cursos. // The program has 16 courses.
Cada curso tiene una duración de 40 horas. // Each course lasts 40 hours.
Sí. Usted puede postularse a una visa a través de la UPB siempre y cuando pague por anticipado al menos tres (3) cursos. Una vez haya pagado, la Universidad le brindará los documentos necesarios para solicitar una visa de estudiante. En todos los casos, usted debe cumplir con las condiciones exigidas por el Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores para obtener la visa, y este proceso no es responsabilidad de la universidad. // You can apply for a visa through the UPB as long as you pay in advance for at least three (3) courses. Once you have paid, the University will provide you with the necessary documents to apply for a student visa. In all cases, you must meet the conditions required by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to obtain the visa, and this process is not the responsibility of the university.
Call us for more information
Office
Circular 1 # 70 – 01
Building 9, office 217
Building 9, office 217
Phone
(574) 354 4564
Cel: (+57) 310 492 3152
Cel: (+57) 310 492 3152
Mail
espex@upb.edu.co
Office
Building L, office 501
Phone
(577) 6796220
Ext. 20537, 20170 and 20673.
Ext. 20537, 20170 and 20673.
