Enseñanza de español para fines específicos dirigido a la diplomacia y las relaciones internacionales

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the language of diplomacy and accordingly design a handbook for teaching Spanish for specific purposes. This handbook is intended for professionals within the diplomacy and international relations world. First of all, a historical background of the role of the Spanish language in the field of diplomacy and international relations was developed. Furthermore, the presence of the Spanish language within international organisations, either as an official language or as a working language, is an accepted fact and it has been certified in agreements between the United Nations and the European Union. Bilaterally, there is a non-signed agreement encouraging diplomatic missions abroad to use the host country’s official language, as a matter of courtesy. Moreover, Spanish speaking diplomatic missions in other countries will require local professionals able to perform their duties in Spanish and the country’s official language. Taking all of this into account, this field requires workers to be able to master languages and develop intercultural awareness, allowing them to successfully work in an international context. A handbook will provide these workers the acquisition of cultural and communicative strategies (written and spoken) specific to this context. This study suggests a range of activities that will allow the acquisition of that specific knowledge. The content of those activities was based on diplomatic speech analysis from typical diplomatic correspondence and speeches given by Spanish diplomats. The topics of the activities were chosen by analysing the needs of students of Spanish as a foreign language that also work in diplomacy or are learning the field. A handbook with all of these features will help them know how to act and work around the new cultures, both in a social and work environment.