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@rll.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@rll.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.

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