Welcome!
The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures offers special Spanish classes for bilingual students. We hope to answer most of your questions.
- Some answers to questions most frequently asked about bilingual classes
- A look at the Undergraduate Spanish Major or Minor
- All you wanted to know about the bilingual classes
- A Placement Questionnaire to get you started (word file)
- A peek at some sample syllabi (programa de estudios)
- Other places you can practice/learn Spanish
- Volunteer Services
- Study Abroad
- Want to help?
Bilingual FAQ
1. Am I really a bilingual person? How does the department decide?
Bilingual students are those whose exposure to the language has been predominantly outside the classroom. i.e. home, family, or sustained, effective residence in a Spanish speaking country (beyond a year of study in a Spanish speaking country). The coordinator of the program would be able to counsel you and decide if you
are capable and ready to take a Spanish class for bilinguals. He/she has the experience necessary to help you make the right decision.
2. What class should I take?
Enroll in SPN2340 if you have had 2 years or less of Spanish in High School (there are exceptions, i.e. if the student's command of the spoken language is strong, or if he/she has a good control of grammar and/or writing skills).
Enroll in SPN3350 if you have had three or more years in High School (there are exceptions, i.e. if the student's oral skills are weak, in spite of academic experience. Take into account that several Miami high schools such as Belén, Maristas, Columbus, are particularly strong in their bilingual programs; sometimes a 3-4 in AP language exam may allow a student into this course).
Enroll in SPN4314 if you have completed high school in a Spanish-speaking country or received 4 or 5 in AP in literature (there are exceptions).
3. How do I register?
Schedule an appointment with the coordinator of the bilingual program. Professor Susana Braylan. E-mail: braylan@ufl.edu
4. When I tried to register through ISIS, the classes were closed. Why?
They are not really closed; but you cannot register yourself. That is why you need to schedule an appointment with the coordinator of the courses.
5. Why should I take the bilingual language courses and not the courses for non-bilingual learners of Spanish?
Because your needs are different from those of the non-bilinguals. For the Spanish language courses, there are two tracks (sequences). One, for bilingual students, and one for non-bilinguals. Bilingual students are more proficient in listening, understanding and conversing than are non-bilinguals because of their greater exposure to the spoken language. However, bilinguals often lack knowledge of the correct grammar (spelling, word formation, etc.). Bilinguals profit from courses geared to teach them what they don't know, not what non-bilinguals don't know.
6. Aren't the bilingual courses more demanding?
Not really. The bilingual courses present a different approach to teaching and/or improving the students' knowledge of the language. There is a lot of reading and writing, but experience has shown us that bilinguals really enjoy the flexibility and challenge these classes give them.
7. If I'm bilingual already, why should I be interested in majoring or minoring in Spanish?
Having a major/minor in Spanish will allow bilinguals to demonstrate at job interviews that they have seriously prepared themselves to use the second language in a professional manner.
8. How do I obtain a Major/Minor in Spanish?
Schedule an appointment with the Undergraduate Advisor. Professor Greg Moreland: moreland@ufl.edu
9. Do I need to take the SAT II in order to take a bilingual class?
The SAT II does not really help to place a bilingual student in the class he/she needs to take. It is not necessary to have an SAT II score.
10. Can I register in a class event if I do not want to pursue a major or minor in Spanish?
Every bilingual student is welcome to improve his/her Spanish skill, no matter what his/her major/minor is.
Major/Minor information for bilingual students
This is general information about the Major/Minor. Before registering for any of these courses, you should consult the Undergraduate catalog for courses requiring a pre-requisite, and visit the Undergraduate Advisor (Professor Greg Moreland). You can also visit the office of RLL at 170 DAUER HALL, and request fliers with additional information.
MAJOR: a minimum of 33 semester hours of coursework as follows:
- 1. SPN2340 (for bilinguals) 3 credits
- 2. SPN3350 (for bilinguals) 3 credits
- 3. An additional 27 credits of SPN (language) and SPW (literature) courses at the 3000-4000 levels, of which a minimum of 12 must
be at the 4000-level.
Please note that bilingual students cannot take SPN 3300, SPN 3301, SPN 3410, SPN 3411, and SPN 4420.
MINOR: total hours required 18. At least one (1) course must be at the 4000-level.
Please, understand that this information is accurate but minimal and might change. Consult the Undergraduate Catalog and talk to the Undergraduate Advisor before registering.
FINAL NOTE: For the Spanish language courses, there are 2 tracks (sequences). One for bilingual students, and one for non-bilinguals. Bilingual students are more proficient in listening, understanding and conversing than are non-bilinguals because of their greater exposure to the spoken language. However, bilinguals often lack knowledge of the correct grammar (spelling, word formation, etc). Bilinguals profit from courses geared to teach them what they do not know (not what non-bilinguals don't know), and a different approach to learning and/or improving their knowledge of the language.
About Bilingual Courses
Each one of these is a 3-credit course offered during the Fall and Spring semesters. Bilingual classes are not offered during the summer.
SPN 2340. Introduction to Reading and Writing for Bilingual Level Speakers.
An intermediate-level course for bilingual speakers of Spanish who have achieved a certain speaking and listening ability outside of the classroom, but who have had little or no formal exposure to the language (i.e. fewer than three years of high school Spanish). Emphasizes practice in reading and developing vocabulary. Introduction to grammar and orthographic rules. This course is required of all majors and minors who are bilinguals unless they initially place above this level.
Prerequisite: Placement test or departmentally administered test for bilingual level speakers.
SPN 3350. Spanish Grammar and Composition for Bilingual Speakers.
Emphasizes the normative aspects of the language, as well as those areas of grammar which are problematical for students who have learned the language primarily through extended exposure outside the classroom setting (i.e. formal training of three or four years in high school) and whose speaking and comprehension abilities are more developed than their writing and reading skills. Develops vocabulary, style and ability to use different levels of language. Weekly compositions. This course is a prerequisite for most 3000 or 4000 level courses in Spanish.
Prerequisite: SPN 2340, grade C or better, or placement test, departmentally administered test for bilingual level speakers, or permission of coordinator of bilingual sequence.
SPN 4314. Advanced Composition and Syntax for Bilingual Speakers.
Emphasizes those aspects of Spanish style, syntax and registers which are problematic for the bilingual speaker. Some formal training in the language is expected (SPN 3350 or equivalent in a Spanish-speaking country). Prospective students must take a departmental placement test.
Prerequisite: SPN3350, grade C or better, or placement test or departmentally administered test for bilingual level speakers.
Other Places where you can practice Spanish
FLAC at FLORIDA (Foreign Languages Across the Curriculum)
Are you thinking of taking a class in Central American Politics or Latin American Business, or Span and the EU? Sign up for a one-credit Spanish enhancement section to go along with it. If you are bilingual, this is your opportunity to read and discuss class-related materials about Latin America and Spain in Spanish. Bilinguals have especially enjoyed these classes.
For more details visit: http://web.rll.ufl.edu/FLAC/about.html
THE INSTITUTE OF HISPANIC-LATINO CULTURES :
LA CASITA
University of Florida
1504 West University Ave
846-0405
www.dso.ufl.edu/multicultural/lacasita/
INTERESTING LINKS
U.F. Language Learning Center
U.F. Little Hall
Computer Lab for Languages
Websites in Spanish:
http://lanic.utexas.edu/indexesp.html
www.espanol.yahoo.com
www.cnnenespanol.com
www.elsitio.com
www.terra.com
www.latina.com
www.sportsya.com
www.mexico.com
www.trinity.edu/departments/modern_languages/spanlink.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/news/
Music in Spanish:
http://www.batanga.com
Newspapers:
www.pagina12.com.ar/ (Página
12 – Argentina)
www.elpais.es/ (El País –
España)
www.el-universal.com.mx/noticiash.html (El Universal – Mexico)
Volunteer Services
Here are some places where you can volunteer in the community, and help people who only speak Spanish.
- www.volunteermatch.org/bymsa/m2900/c/opp1.html
- www.nfrmc.com/VolOpp.asp
- www.floridahospices.org/find.asp#alachua
- http://unitedwayncfl.org/UWAC-Web/DOCS/agencies.htm
- www.sbac.edu/
- www.clerk-alachua-fl.org/clerk/courthse.html
Study Abroad Programs
The Spanish section of RLL offers three study abroad programs for students who are doing a major/minor in Spanish.
Guananjuato, Mexico (verano): www.ufic.ufl.edu/downloads/sas/sponsored/Guanajuato2005.pdf
Sevilla, España (verano): www.rll.ufl.edu/spanish/seville.html
Barcelona, España (semestre de primavera): www.rll.ufl.edu/spanish/barcelona.html
There are other study abroad programs sponsored by the Internacional Center at UF, such as International Studies Abroad: http://www.studiesabroad.com
IMPORTANT:
You should contact Professor Moreland prior to register in any program or course. RLL does not sponsor all programs and classes might not be accepted to complete our major/minor. That is why we recommend that students take the classes offered by our study abroad programs.
Be careful: Bilingual students must complete certain requisites in order to take classes with the Seville UF program.
The Bilingual Program needs your help
In order to grow and develop new courses for the Bilingual Program, we need to start a “Bilingual Program Fund” with, at least, $ 2000. Please, talk to your parents, friends, and any one interested in helping us. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
For more information, please contact Susana Braylan at braylan@ufl.edu
Or with Ms. Mary Matlock at the UF Foundation: mmatlock@uff.ufl.edu
Images: Gustavo Gomes, Flickr
