Language is a tool for communication and, together with the language system, is an object of study. It is an expression of human thought, while the language system is a systematically organized structure, a code that allows those thoughts to be communicated.
If language is not mastered as a tool of communication that expresses thought, coherent and effective linguistic action cannot be achieved. Language, as an instrument of socialization, is also a form of discernment at the individual level. Through language, the child who begins to speak takes possession of the world. By naming it, the child understands it. Language is necessary for thought because it allows thought to become aware of itself, and thought shapes language while simultaneously being shaped through it.
The changes produced in today’s world, together with the new demands and needs of society, require a rethinking of the study of language according to its role as a tool of communication. Until the middle of the current century, knowledge of writing largely guaranteed an individual’s integration into the world of literate culture. At the same time, no one questioned the values of that culture. Today, however, knowledge of the writing system alone is not enough, nor even the fluent and relevant management of the competencies it provides.
Understanding the multitude of messages that circulate, evaluating the relevance of the information they provide, and verifying its validity are competencies that must be developed in any region of the world and at any stage of life in order to perform any profession or trade.
Users of language must know who is sending the message, to whom it is directed, what its intention is, and why it is being conveyed, and ultimately understand what is being said. This understanding depends on all the previous elements and, essentially, on knowledge of the topic being discussed, as well as the context in which the message is produced. Such comprehension requires a series of competencies that go beyond the linguistic while simultaneously encompassing it.
The basis of the shift in the approach to the disciplines within the area is summarized in the new perspective on the concept of communication. It is no longer simply a matter of describing the communication system, but rather of communicating. Human beings interact, communicate, and express their feelings and ideas. They do so through various discourses organized within different contexts, not through abstractions. They use linguistic and translinguistic codes, and the greater their mastery of them, the more effective the communication they establish will be.
Therefore, the Spanish Language Department understands education as a commitment and a responsibility that should aim at the personal growth of each student, implying a holistic education and competency-based training that promote the development of human potential. Over the years, different projects, activities, and strategies have been developed in response to this main objective and its consolidation. Among these are research, innovation, classroom, and cross-curricular projects, as well as institutional activities and the progress, challenges, achievements, and difficulties characteristic of the area.