Spanish Language Requirement Guidelines (SFS)
The directions in this section are for SFS students who have chosen
Spanish as their language requirement.
** Information about the Oral Proficiency Exam for Fall 2011
1. Students with no previous experience should enroll directly in the introductory course as follows: SPAN 003 Introductory Spanish I or SPAN 011 Intensive Beginning Spanish.
2. Students who seek AP credit and have not taken the SAT II test have to take the Language Placement Test (also known as Validation Test) given on campus during New Student Orientation. (Students who feel that their SAT II score does not reflect their current language ability are encouraged to take the department Placement Test).
42-66 Intermediate Spanish II
67-76 Advanced Spanish I (Span 101): Spain in Context or Intensive Advanced I (Span 111)
77-86 Advanced Spanish II (Span 102): Latin America in Context or Intensive Advanced II (Span 112)
87-93 Oral Review: Contemporary Hispanic Cultures (Span 161), Advanced Grammar (Span 151); or Academic Writing (Span 200)
3. Students who have taken the SAT II in Spanish should determine their level as follows:
200-360 SPAN 003 Introductory Spanish I or Intensive Beginning Spanish
370-480 SPAN 004 Introductory Spanish II
490-550 SPAN 021 Intermediate Spanish I or Intensive Intermediate Spanish
560-630 SPAN 022 Intermediate Spanish II
640-690 SPAN 101 Advanced Spanish I (Spain in Context) or Intensive
Advanced I (Span 111)
691-749 SPAN 102 Advanced Spanish II (Latin America in Context) or
Intensive Advanced II(Span 112)
750-800 SPAN 161 Oral Review: Contemporary Hispanic Cultures
4. Students who obtained a score of “4" or “5" in Advanced Placement will be eligible to receive up to 6 credits for Advanced Spanish I and II depending on placement. Placement is determined by SAT II scores or department placement exams duringorientation. Students who enroll in Span-103 or below will not receive credit. These rules apply to both Language and Literature.
5. No audititing nor pass/fail courses are allowed in language courses.
6. Graduate students need to take the same steps as the undergraduate. They may audit courses in Spanish with their dean and instructor’s approval. Graduate students need to obtain a minimum of “Good” in the Proficiency Exam in order to fulfill the language requirement.
7. Native speakers need to present accreditation. This means they have to have completed any degree necessary to apply to the university in a Spanish-speaking country and in a Spanish-speaking school (not an English immersion school). Native students have no English as their first acquired language. If in doubt, these students may take the Placement Test.
8. For information and details about the Placement and Proficiency Tests the students may consult the Department of Spanish and Portuguese website. If students have further questions they may ask their deans, contact the SFS Spanish Program Director, Dr. Cristina Sanz by e-mail; or call the Spanish and Portuguese Department at 202-687-6134.
