Second Language Track
Overview
The Spanish as a Second Language learners are those students with no previous background or some high-school education in Spanish. They are students who grow up in an environment where family members speak English or other languages, except Spanish. As part of the core curriculum UH requires 6 credits in a foreign language which can be fulfilled in the Spanish Program.
The MAIN GOAL of this Program is to develop communicative and critical thinking skills through materials and activities specifically designed for Spanish as a Second Language learners. Classroom activities focus on developing oral, listening, reading, writing abilities in a variety of formal and informal contexts. In addition, each course incorporates specific materials and projects to develop greater familiarity with Hispanic cultures around the world and with the community in Houston and the US, from a critical thinking perspective. "Critical thinking" refers to a pedagogy which has strong cultural components in relationship with social constructions which has to be questioned to better understand stereotypes, discrimination, racism, between others.
The Program classes implement current research in Second-Language Acquisition, critical thinking pedagogy, and Language Learning methodologies. The courses offered in the Program include Elementary and Intermediate Spanish. Students who successfully complete the Intermediate Level in this program fulfill the foreign language requirement and are encouraged to enroll in more advanced classes. The Hispanic Department offers a variety of undergraduate-level classes that includes linguistics, literature and cultural topics. For more information on Spanish Minor and Major visit the Spanish Undergraduate Program.
In order to enroll in any of the classes offered students must take the Spanish Placement Test for non- native speakers or show Spanish credit transferred from other higher-education institutions or have passed previous Spanish as a Second Language level with a C- or above.
Interim Director of the Spanish as a Second Language Program
Sofia Gellon, Ph.D.
Office: AH 449
Phone: 743 713-9914
Email: sgellon@cougarnet.uh.edu
Course Offering
The following courses, except SPAN 1505 and SPAN 2610, are taught in Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. (Before registration please check the semester course listing). Enrollment is subject to Placement
Remote Spanish Placement Tests
(ATTENTION: Do not use Chrome web browser, the Testing Services website does not support Chrome).
Important Note: Students cannot enroll in any Spanish Language Program (Second Language or Heritage Language) if they have not taken the Placement Test required in each track. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in being dropped from the class.
There are two Spanish Language tests offered at the University of Houston Testing Services for students based on their language background.
- Spanish Placement test is for students who learned Spanish formally while in school and those students with no previous Spanish language knowledge or background.
- Spanish Heritage test is for students who grew up in an environment where Spanish was spoken. They may be fluent in Spanish or just understand it.
The test you choose depends on the answers to the following questions. If you answer yes to any of the questions, you will need to take the Spanish Heritage test. Spanish Heritage test allows you to receive course credit based on your test score.
Misrepresenting your background in Spanish in terms of living experience or prior academic study is a violation of the University of Houston Honesty Policy (article 3.03, item I.) and will be dealt with accordingly.
- When I was a child, Spanish was spoken in my house.
- I lived in a Spanish-speaking country for two years or longer.
- My first language was Spanish (or both Spanish and English).
- I speak Spanish, or both Spanish and English with my family and friends.
- My parents and/or grandparents often speak to me in Spanish.
If you answered Yes TO ANY of the five questions you need to request the Spanish Heritage Test
Test Fee: $15
Remote Testing Fee: $25
Upon submission of your Test Registration Request Form you will be provided information to schedule your remote test session. This information is e-mailed to you within 24 hours.
Submit Test Registration Request
If you answered NO TO ALL of the questions above, you need to take the Spanish Placement L2 test:
Test Fee $17.90
Remote Proctoring Fee $25
Upon submission of you Test Registration Request Form you will be provided information to schedule your remote test session. This information is e-mailed to you within 24 hours.
Submit Test Registration Request
You will be provided information to schedule your test remotely.
AP and IB Credits
If you have Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate Degree (IB) test scores, please submit your test scores to UH. Contact Patrick Daniel, pdaniel@uh.edu
