SAC...What does it mean?

SAC means Self Access Center. It is a space designed exclusively for you and for your apprenticeship in languages like English, French, Italian, and Spanish for foreign students. The SAC provides different medium for learning languages. It provides different materials and services.

How to get there?

Languages taught

SAC areas

Reception and lockers area

Reception is the first area that you will find. In this area, there are people who are going to welcome you and also help you to run the SAC. If you have doubts about the, ask them. In order to provide security, you need to leave your backpack in any of the lockers.

Video room

Watching video is entertaining way to learn a language. In this area, you can watch films or television programs from our catalog. You only need to take the box film and go to the reception; the personal gives you the disc.

                        Literature area

You can find a lot of materials like, dictionaries, specialized books in grammar, vocabulary books, and readings. Also, you can find text books of the courses. If you need to present and international exam, the SAC gives you many materials that will help you to prepare yourself for the exams like TOEFL, PET, FCE, DELF, DALF, CELI.

Tutor’s office

In the tutor’s office there is a little space where you can find a tutor who can help you in your apprenticeship at anytime.


Reading area
If you enjoy reading, this area is going to help you in your apprenticeship. In this area, there are magazines, stories and novels in different languages; also, some books have a CD or cassette that if you need it, you can ask in reception.

Audio area

In the SAC there is material you can use in order to improve your listening skill. You have the opportunity to take a CD or cassette and you can listen to it as often as necessary. In addition, each material has exercises and transcriptions.

Computer area
This area has different programs which the person in charge can provide you. You only have to ask him or her. Moreover, there are links directories which are organized by topics to surf the internet and the person in charge will help and provide you whatever you need.

Speaker's corner area

This area offers you conversation sessions in different times during the day. Look for you language level and register you in the reception list. The conversation sessions are based in topics of interest but it respects your language level.

Fees

Programa Universitario de Idiomas (un curso) $488

Sólo SAC alumnos $249

Examen de ubicación de idioma alumnos $24

Constancia ordinaria del CEI $70

Constancia extemporánea del CEI $129

Alumno extranjero Programa Universitario de Idiomas (un curso) $733

Alumnos externos Programa Universitario de Idiomas (un curso) $1000

Modalidad solo SAC $500

Students from the University of Quintana Roo pay $1300 of school fee. It is included the University Languages Programme, and also you can be able to take as many languages programme as you want.

Material for improving your skills

Some materials you can find in the sac

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How can I use the materials?

The video room is provided with televisions and DVDs where you can watch movies. There is a section where there are the movies and they are divided according to the language so you have to decide what movie you want to watch. After you have decided, you need to go to reception and ask about the movie you have chosen. Then the receptionist is going to give you the CD of the movie after you give you ID or your student ID and finally you can enjoy watching it.

The literature area offers you dictionaries in different languages, grammar books, the books use by SAC in the English courses (Face 2 Face Student’s Books) and also all the levels of the Interchange Student’s Book. You do not have to ask to use them, you only need to choose the material you want and you can use it.

In the reading area, there are many books which are organized according to the language and to the level.When you use this area, you are allowed to read any book you want. You only choose the book and you can read it. You do not have to ask someone to give you, but you cannot take the books out of the area because they are not borrowed. If you want to read a book which is not from the SAC you need to ask for an index card.  

In the audio area, there are tape recorders and hearing aids which you can use. There are shelves where the cassettes are also organized according to the language and to the level. Moreover, the cassettes have their own activities of the recordings you are going to listen to. In addition, if you did not want to listen to any cassettes, you can look for any CD you want to hear; for example, when you are taking a SAC course and you need to practice the listenings of your book. You go to reception and ask for the CD. Also, there are CDs of the English books which students from English language major use in their English subjects.

Firstly, when you use the computer area, you need to be registered in the database of the computer which is next to reception. In this area you can find some softwares that can help you in some skills. You only need to ask in reception to use them.

When you want to improve your speaking skill, it is a good idea you use the speaker’s corner area, but what do you need to do? Well, it is important to know that every week there is a different schedule list in reception where you have to write your name but you need to look for the language and level of the conversation session you would like. In the list, there are different schedules according to the language and level. Besides, you need to know the schedules change every week.

Some rules to follow

Modality only SAC

You have already registered in the modality only SAC.
Now, what do you need to do?


1.- Ask for your package in the reception
In the reception, you are going to receive you modality package only SAC. The package contains documents that you need to read in order to understand this modality better. Ask for the program of level that you are going to study.

2.- Read the cards from learning to learning
Card #0: it explains you more about the modality only SAC
Card #1: it gives you a little run around the Self Access center where you will know the different areas.
Card #2: it helps you to know what kind of apprenticeship you have
Card #3: it explains you what learning to learning involves.

3.- Read the rules that SAC has
It is very important to bear in mind the thing that we can do inside the SAC in order to avoid any penalty.

4.- Read the program of the level that you requested
The program shows you the contents that you need to cover according to the level you chose. Also, it explains you the methodology and the way of evaluation; the bibliography which you are going to work with in order to achieve this level with success.

5.- Attend your first tutoring.
In your first session the tutor will explain you how you can organize so that you can work better and you can realized of the progress in your language level.


It is very important to know that the tutors will help you in your independent study. When having doubts about how to study or what type of activities you can do in order to achieve your goals, the tutors will help you to resolve your doubts. Also, you need to keep in your mind that the tutors will help you in your learning process, but remember these are not particular classes.


6.- Look through the basic bibliography.
The books you are going to use will depend of the level you have decided to study. In the program you will be mentioned which are these books and another sources you will can look up in any moment.


7.- Read the other cards of learning to learn.
In your packet, you will find more cards of learning to learn. We recommend you read them.
Card #4: This card will help you to find your language level.
Card #5: This card will give you an idea about how you can plan your work.
Card #6: This card will help you to realize what you need to learn.
Card #7: This card will make you reflect about your learning, so it is important to read it after you have achieved a goal; For example, when you have finished a lesson or any unit.


8.- Remember to visit the tutor after each unit or when you need it 

Something about placement tests

If you know some English and you do not want to start as a beginner, you can ask for the placement tests that the SAC provides in order to evaluate the knowledge you have in English. They show the level of your English and then you are said what course level you need to take. There are placement tests for all the languages taught there. Also, you need to know that there are three dates for the placement tests during the year and it is common they are before each semester. Moreover, if you take a course of any language and you do not continue taking the following courses after a year, you can not take the following courses, you have to take a placement test so that you can be evaluated to know if you have the knowledge level to take the following courses or you need to begin again.