Welcome to the Spanish Program

Why Study Spanish?

Spanish is one of the three most widely spoken languages in the world. In the United States, it is the second language used most commonly among more than 32 million persons of Hispanic backgrounds. Moreover, it is the most popular foreign language studied by North American students in the secondary schools, colleges and universities. Knowledge of Spanish language and culture offers students a competitive edge in such fields as education, business, social work, international affairs, health care, law, library science, translation, media and social sciences.

• Prepare for careers in the US and abroad!
• Get to know professors and make friends in small classes!
• Learn to conduct research on linguistics, literature, and culture

Hear what recent graduates have to say about majoring in Spanish. 

Spanish Placement Guidance: Where Should I Start? 

The Spanish program offers

Entry-level Spanish Courses (beginner and intermediate)

Degree programs and minors

• Spanish B.A. degree
• Secondary Education concentration
• Spanish minor
• M.A. in Hispanic Studies 
• Graduate minor in Hispanic Studies

 

The Spanish program FAQs

I’m not sure about my level of Spanish. What class should I start with?

Students may enroll in Span 1101 or 1152, or place into another course through a placement test. For the beginning and intermediate levels, consult the course descriptions for the entry-level Spanish classes.

 

What proficiency level am I expected to reach by the end of each course?

·         SPAN 1101: Novice Mid → Novice High

·         SPAN 1102: Novice High → Intermediate Low

·         SPAN 1152: Novice High → Intermediate Low

·         SPAN 2101: Intermediate Low → Intermediate Mid

·         SPAN 2102: Intermediate Mid → Intermediate High

 

Who should take Span 1152?

SPAN 1152 is a high beginner language course and is suitable for students with two years of high school Spanish. SPAN 1152 covers the same material as SPAN 1101 and SPAN 1102 in one semester instead of two. Once a student completes SPAN 1152, the next scheduled course is SPAN 2101. SPAN 1101 credit will also be awarded upon successful completion of SPAN 1152 with a “C” or better.  Students may begin their lower-level Spanish courses in either SPAN 1101 or SPAN 1152, regardless of their background in the language.

 

Who can take the Spanish placement exam for credit and how can students take it?

The Spanish placement exam can only be taken once, and testing takes place at the LSU testing center. All students other than native Spanish speakers (as defined below) can request to take a placement test through their major college or during freshmen orientation. Spanish heritage speakers (as defined below) are eligible to take the placement exam. The placement exam form requires signatures from the student’s major college and the Dept. of World Languages, Literatures, & Cultures (worldlang@lsu.edu).  Instructions are on the form regarding signatures, payment, and scheduling the exam. See additional information here.

 

What if I receive credit for a class through the placement exam but feel that the next class in the sequence is too difficult? 

Once you have been awarded credit for a class through the exam, you cannot enroll in that class. You would need to remain in the next class in the sequence.

 

Are there online/remote options for Spanish classes?

Most Spanish courses are in-person, but some sections may be offered in online format. Check the LSU course schedule.

 

What if my placement exam score, transfer, or summer course credit has not posted on Workday and I need to register for the next class?

Contact the department to request assistance (worldlang@lsu.edu). If the credit can be verified, we will request you be enrolled in the next class.

 

Who is considered a “heritage” speaker of Spanish at LSU and what classes can they take?

Students who completed high school in the US and had exposure to Spanish in their home or community are considered “heritage” speakers of Spanish.

v  These students may be born in a country where Spanish is the official language or born in the US.

v  They may have attended some years of school in a country where Spanish is the official language and some in the US.

Heritage speakers with intermediate fluency have the option to take Spanish Language and Culture for Heritage Speakers. Upon completion of this core course in the Spanish minor, credit can be awarded for Span 1101, 1102, 2101, 2102 to meet a foreign language requirement. Heritage speakers may also take the Spanish placement exam or see the Spanish Undergraduate Advisor (spanishua@lsu.edu) for placement assistance or information about the Spanish major or minor.

 

Are there specific classes for Spanish “heritage” speakers, students who learned Spanish at home and attended high school in the US?

Our program will soon be offering two classes designed for students who learned Spanish at home and have intermediate-advanced oral fluency: Span 2170 and Span 3170. These will count toward a Spanish major or minor. For Spring 2026, students who meet this description can register for Span 2155 section 3, Spanish Language and Culture for Heritage Speakers.

 

What if I am identified as a “heritage” speaker but want to stay in my class? 

Students will be encouraged to enroll in the right class based on their Spanish language proficiency level and experience with the language. If you placed into a class through the placement test, then that is the right course.

 

How can “heritage” speakers meet a foreign language requirement?

Spanish heritage speakers can meet a foreign language requirement by taking the Spanish placement exam for credit, by taking any remaining required classes in the lower-division sequence (1101-2102), or by taking Span 2155 or 2170.

 

Who is considered a “native” speaker of Spanish at LSU and what classes can they take? 

Students who completed high school in a country where Spanish is the official language are considered “native” speakers of Spanish. 

This includes:

v  International students who completed high school in a Spanish speaking country.

v  Puerto Rican students who completed high school in Puerto Rico.

v  US resident or citizen students who completed high school in a Spanish speaking country.

Native speakers who wish to take Spanish may contact the Spanish Undergraduate Advisor (spanishua@lsu.edu) to register for 3000/4000-level classes and for information about the Spanish major or minor. Students who fit this definition of “native” speaker may not take the Spanish placement exam and will not receive foreign language credit for Spanish lower-division courses (1000 or 2000-level). See the LSU General Catalog for options to fulfill a Foreign Language Requirement for a specific Degree Program. 

 

How can I complete a Spanish major or minor?

See a description of the major and minor requirements here.  

 

What if I am waitlisted for a class that I need to graduate on time? 

The department must follow the waitlist order, which reflects registration priority by year. Some exceptions are made by the student’s major College when students have an impending graduation date that will be affected.

 

What if I have a complaint or concern about a Spanish class I am taking? 

First try to resolve the issue with your instructor. If it is not resolved, contact the Spanish Language Program Coordinator. If it cannot be resolved at this level, you may contact the Hispanic Studies Director, and finally, the Department Chair. See contact information here.

 

What if my grade is affected by an academic integrity case? 

If LSU Student Accountability makes a decision that requires the grade be lowered by the instructor, concerns should be directed to the Student Accountability Staff.

 

If I failed Span 1101 or 1102, can a passing grade in Span 1152 replace the F in 1101 or 1102?  

No, the exact course has to be retaken in order to replace the grade.