<p>I am caught between French and Spanish. Since I also want to major in Biology I know I can only handle one. So I am fluent in French and I placed high enough to cover all my foreign language reqs. But I am leaning towards Spanish because it is something new and more useful. on a whim I took the Spanish language test and placed into span 203 which shocked me because I only took Spanish my 7th and 8th grade year. I simply used phonetics to answer the questions so I don't think I'm actually qualified to take Span 203. Now I'm all conflicted and stuff >.<</p>
<ol>
<li>How hard is Spanish 203 for someone who understands the language but knows nothing grammatically?</li>
<li>If Span 203 is too hard what lvl would you recommend?</li>
<li>Should I just stick to what I know? (French)</li>
</ol>
<p>You are going to need electives, unless you are getting three degrees …even then you still might need some … so you can take both as you progress through school. Just pick one for now to finish out your requirements, and then you can pick up a semester, or two, or three later of the other.</p>
<p>203 levels of languages are like beginning intermediate. You would need to know all of the basics and know how to write pretty coherently about everyday things. If you don’t think you’re ready for that, I would recommend taking 105, which is an intro course for advanced beginners… they recommend it for people who are far along in another language; it’s like the two intro courses (101 and 102) combined.</p>
<p>If you actually want to learn Spanish (i.e. have a conversation with someone, get along in a foreign country) take 105. Enroll in 105, then tell the dept. that you are following their website recommendation to take 105 if you’ve had a year break from the language. Easy peasy. They’ll rubber stamp you and you’re good to go. </p>
<p>Take 203 if you just want to get through the requirement. 203 is actually MUCH easier than 105 because it’s not an accelerated course and you have lots of time to learn the material. 105 isn’t too hard either, so don’t be concerned, because they start you off at learning colors. </p>
<p>I can’t tell you how hard or easy it’ll be, but if you want to pursue language AT ALL, then MAKE SURE you knock out these classes EARLY ON (as in Fall semester, Spring semester) because you MUST get through these pre-reqs before you can begin on your minor reqs.</p>
<p>I started my spanish minor in SPAN 204 and found it too easy. My high school did have a very strong Spanish program, however. Your mileage may vary, but I recommend taking 203 and not wasting your time with 105. When I talked to the department about my placement, they told me that if I dropped to 203 (for remediation–I was nervous at first because of my placement) I wouldn’t be able to get credit because I’d already placed into 204. My 204 and subsequent 255 (conversational) were full of first-years. </p>
<p>Keep in mind that there are tutors available and the ROML department hosts events where native spanish speakers will just talk in spanish to students to further their skills. Also a point of consideration if you are considering a spanish minor: 203 and 204 share the same book, so you are saving some money if you skip 105. </p>
<p>PM me if you need specific advice or would like to know about some of the faculty.</p>
<p>Why not take the French placement test and “cover all your reqs”? Then, with no language requirement hanging over your head, you have the luxury of deciding if you want to pick up a new language just for fun.</p>
<p>Don’t quote me if I am wrong, but I think the highest you can place is 204. I think you need AP credit to be placed higher. My friend who had AP credit placed as high as possible and, after telling them her score, moved up.</p>
<p>You can place higher than 204. My D placed into FREN 255 (conversation) or FREN 260 (literature) based on her French SAT Subject Test and AP French scores. She is enrolled in FREN 260 for the fall semester.</p>