I just took my Spanish placement test for UIUC, and I was placed into Spanish 130. Because of this, I will have to take 3 more semesters of Spanish since I am in the College of Business. I was wondering if anyone had any advice for me. How hard are the Spanish classes at UIUC? Is there any way I can make it easier on myself? Are there any alternative routes that I could take to get done with the foreign language requirement as quickly as possible?
Note sure of your placement since you mention you will need to take three semesters of language. If you are actually into S130, that is considered a level 3 course, and thus if you take it and then later take either Spanish 141 or 142 (considered fourth level courses), you will complete the four semester language requirement for business. Since it appears you did not complete Spanish 4 at the high school level, you do not have an alternative way to finish your four semester language requirement in only two college semesters unless you actually speak some other foreign language and can take a placement test in ti and pass out of the four semester requirement.
An issue you face is that the college level course basically does in one semester what a high school level course does in a year. Thus, it is more intense than your high school courses. Moreover, if starting with S130, that means you are presumed, when you start, to actually know and remember everything that you learned in Spanish 1 and Spanish 2 at the high school level. Though there will be some opening refresher when you start S130, you need to be in a position to proceed quickly to that third level once the course begins. Thus, going back through what you did in Spanish 1 and 2 to make sure you are up to speed before the semester begins is about the best thing you can do.
The main drawback to foreign language study I heard from my student is that it takes up alot of time, and even if you’re open to and enjoy foreign language study, there are only so many hours in the day.