How are foreign language & Spanish classes @ Yale?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Yale University
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<p>What can a new Yale frosh expect as far as foreign language classes go? I've read the Yale website and understand the language requirements (3 semesters, 2 or 1 depending upon on-site Yale placement test results). My question is more about what to expect in the classroom. </p>

<p>Unfortunately, the high school Spanish classes were awful. Probably the worst department in the school. Didn't really focus on conversation, but rather rote memorization of vocabulary you would never use (valise) and an ungodly emphasis on spelling every word perfectly. </p>

<p>What awaits at Yale? More of the same, or is there more focus on conversation? Do Yalies enjoy their language classes, or is just one of those things you have to get get through?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

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<p>First of all, congrats on your Yale acceptance! :)</p>

<p>I don’t have many anecdotal details on Spanish, but I can say that Yale’s language department is absolutely outstanding. I’m taking two languages right now (at L2 and L5), and I’ll be taking on a third through Directed Independent Language Study next year. I adore my language classes (in fact, they take up the majority of my schedule!), and I would say that most Yalies enjoy theirs. If anything, I think the main complaint is that the classes cover too much material!</p>

<p>From my experiences (and the stories I’ve heard from my friends), most Yale language classes are a mix of grammar drills, vocabulary quizzes, immersion speaking, and analysis of culturally relevant texts/videos/songs/etc. </p>

<p>For example, a typical day in my L5 Japanese class would begin with a short vocabulary/character quiz, followed by a student presentation about something Japanese, in Japanese (we take turns). Then, we’d start discussing that day’s assignment (for example, a newspaper article or a famous short story) in Japanese. The questions we cover usually range from simple subject matter questions (“Who is the narrator?”) to literary analysis (“How might the man feel when the girl accepts his bad habit?”). We discuss for about an hour. Then we might look at a clip or pass around some object relevant to the story for a moment. Finally, class ends and we pass in our homework (worksheets, essays, etc.).
Generally, classes are stimulating and relevant to real-world language use, and in just one year my language ability has improved exponentially.</p>

<p>I don’t know too much about Spanish specifically, but I peeked at the course offerings in the Blue Book.
If you took the AP Spanish test and scored a 5, you’ll automatically place into L5 Spanish, which gives you a lot of options. There’s a conversational Spanish class, advanced Spanish grammar, and then a variety of subject-oriented classes taught in Spanish (legal, medical, creative writing, etc.).<br>
If you place into L5 but decide you’re tired of Spanish, you still only have to take one year of a different language. Yale offers 52 of them, so you should be able to find something you like. :slight_smile:
Even if you don’t place into the highest level, it really isn’t the end of the world. The mid-level Spanish classes should be very similar, except the class discussion will be naturally limited by everybody’s language ability. I know I’ve had some pretty great halting conversations with the members of my L2 class!</p>

<p>Finally, if you’re interested in using language as part of a career, I’d definitely look into Yale’s special programs for language learning. Directed Independent Language Study (DILS) allows Yale students to study any language for academic purposes, even if it isn’t traditionally offered at Yale. And the Fields Program offers career-specific language training for students at L5 ability and above. </p>

<p>There’s more info on the Center for Language Study website: [Center</a> for Language Study | Yale Center for Language Study](<a href=“http://cls.yale.edu/]Center”>http://cls.yale.edu/)</p>

<p>Hope this answers some of your questions!</p>

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<p>If your high school classes are as bad as you say then most likely you won’t place beyond L1. My son took 3 years of Spanish (no AP) in high school and only placed in L1. I can’t speak on the classes as he will just start taking Spanish this coming fall as he was focusing on his pre-req’s for his major this year.</p>

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<p>My son, a freshman, took AP Spanish in high school and scored a 5 on the exam, which would have placed him in L5 Spanish for one semester. In the fall, he shopped every L5 Spanish class that would fit into his schedule and hated all of them – he liked the teachers, but disliked the mandated curriculum (he didn’t care for the assigned reading material), so instead he took a year of a new language (L1 and L2) and loved both the teacher and the curriculum. That’s the great thing about the shopping period – you get to try out classes before committing to them.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your replies midnightstar, kdog, and gibby. I suspect a likely placement into L1, as well.</p>

<p>Is there a way beforehand to know which professors make for a great Spanish class? Do Yalies use ratemyprofessor.com, or any other sites? </p>

<p>Also wondering if there is a way to get the whole thing over with in one year. For example, by taking an intensive the first semester L1/L2, then just the L3 in the spring? </p>

<p>Or I read that you can replace an intermediate level with time abroad. So would L1 Fall, L2 Spring, and summer in Madrid or Costa Rica do the trick? Hate do drag into the 2nd year still working on the language requirement.</p>

<p>Thanks for your ideas.</p>

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<p>Ratemyprofessor.com has Yale professor’s listed. In addition, student ratings of classes and professors are posted on the on-line Blue Book: <a href=“https://classesv2.yale.edu/portal[/url]”>https://classesv2.yale.edu/portal&lt;/a&gt; </p>

<p>My son, a freshman who is undecided as to his major, basically went through ratemyprofessor.com and the Blue Book and compiled a list of professors with top scores. He then shopped every class with a top professor and ended up taking all of his freshman classes from professors who had ratings like “this guy will blow your mind; no matter what class he teaches, take the class, it will your best class in four years at Yale.” Consequently, my son has loved every one of his classes this year. Not sure what that’s going to do to his intended major (whatever it may be), but he’s had a tremendous first year.</p>

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<p>

Yes, that is an option with the instructor’s approval. See below:</p>

<p>Students wishing to take intensive beginning Spanish may, with the instructor’s permission, enroll in SPAN 125, which covers the same material as SPAN 110 and 120, but in one term. </p>

<p>

This is also possible and what my son plans to do. Most study abroad Spanish programs require at least two semesters (L1 and L2) prior to attending and some require a placement test in the fall when you return to receive language credit unless you take a Yale Summer Session Program (i.e.Bilbao). See below:</p>

<p>Course Description: 4 weeks in New Haven, 4 weeks in Bilbao. SPAN S-130/140: Development of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing through communicative activities rather than as a sequence of linguistic units. Use of authentic Spanish language texts, films, and videos; presentation of cultural topics. SPAN S-248: Analysis and discussion of the historical, social, and cultural development of Spain from the Civil War to the present. Use of a variety of materials, including literary texts, essays, film, television, music, and visual arts. Classes will be held in the headquarters of the University of Deusto, located opposite the statuary and facing the Guggenheim Museum. Founded in 1886, the university continues to be one of the most important institutions of higher education of the Basque Country and Spain. Students must take both courses. SPAN S-130/140: 3 Credits, SPAN S-248: 1 Credit</p>

<p>My son is probably going to choose the IES program to Madrid as it’s 6 weeks in Spain (as opposed to 4 weeks in New Haven and 4 weeks in Bilbao) and it’s 6 credits as opposed to 4. He wanted to go to Buenos Aires like his sister did but that requires at least 4 semesters of Spanish prior to attending.</p>

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<p>One tip on foreign language at Yale: if you test well, make sure the level you test into is really right for you. It would be better to take an additional semester of language than to suffer through a class that is beyond your level of preparation.</p>

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<p>One potential issue you may run into is scheduling conflicts if you want to take SPAN 125. Unlike the 110 and 120 classes which have numerous times (typically 3-4 different time slots), 125 is only offered at one time in the morning. I know it conflicts with CHEM 220 (Organic Chem) and that is why my son is not taking it. It may not be an issue for you depending on your other classes but still something to consider.</p>

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<p>Kdog…is that program to Madrid six weeks or five or are you taking into consideration an additional week (where kids would be on their own) to explore other parts of Europe if they choose to?</p>

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<p>@learninginprog,</p>

<p>It’s six weeks. It’s run by IES but it is a Yale supported program and you can use ISA funding. You do have to fill out the Application for Summer Abroad Credit for Non-Yale Programs. See below:</p>

<p><a href=“https://cie.yale.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=1494[/url]”>https://cie.yale.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=1494&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>IES Link
<a href=“https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/Programs/Spain/Madrid_Summer/madridSummerOverview.html[/url]”>https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/Programs/Spain/Madrid_Summer/madridSummerOverview.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks Kdog!</p>