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Language Requirement

Wake Forest Language Requirement

All undergraduate students are required to pass a 200-level language course as part of the core basic requirements. Any student who has studied a foreign language in high school must complete a foreign language placement test in the language(s) studied. Placement is determined by the Foreign Language Placement Test.

More information about the Foreign Language Placement Exam can be found here.

Spanish Courses that Fulfill the Language Requirement

To fulfill the WFU Language Requirement, the following Spanish courses are accepted:

  • SPA 202. Intermediate Spanish II. (3 h) The second course of a two-semester sequence. Designed to help students communicate in Spanish at the ACTFL intermediate mid level and compare cultural products, practices, and perspectives from around the Spanish-speaking world. Credit may be earned for no more than one course between SPA 202-213. P–SPA 201 not earned through AP/IB credit.
  • SPA 203. Exploring the Hispanic World. (3 h) Explores significant cultural expressions from the Spanish-speaking world. Emphasizes the development of competence in speaking, reading and writing intermediate Spanish and understanding how particular Hispanic societies have defined themselves. Credit may be earned for no more than one course between SPA 202-213. P—SPA 153; or placement; or a score of 3 on the AP Spanish Language exam; or a score of 6 on the IB exam.
  • SPA 206. Accelerated Intermediate Spanish I & II. (6 h) An accelerated summer course designed to help students communicate in Spanish at the ACTFL intermediate mid level and compare cultural products, practices, and perspectives from around the Spanish-speaking world. Equivalent to SPA 201 and SPA 202. Not open to students who have already passed SPA 153 or 201. P-SPA 102 or 112 or 113; or placement.
  • SPA 280. Introduction to Literary and Cultural Studies. (3 h) Examination of the diversity of cultural, linguistic, and artistic expressions and the role of Spanish in today’s globalized world. P–SPA 202, 203, 206, 212, or 213; or placement; or a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Spanish Language exam; or a score of 3 on the AP Literature exam; or a score of 7 on the IB exam.
  • SPA 282. Advanced Spanish Language and Grammar. (3 h) Introduces students to advanced grammar concepts through exposure to authentic texts from contemporary media that exemplify diverse varieties of Spanish from around the world. Attention to accuracy, complexity, and fluency. Credit may not be earned for both 282 and 283. P–SPA 202, 203, 206, 212, or 213; or placement; or a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Spanish Language exam; or a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Literature exam; or a score of 7 on the IB exam.
  • SPA 283. Advanced Spanish Language and Grammar for Heritage Speakers. (3 h) Introduces heritage speakers of Spanish to advanced grammar concepts through exposure to authentic texts from contemporary media that exemplify diverse varieties of Spanish from around the world. Attention to accuracy, complexity, and register. Credit may not be earned for both 282 and 283. P–SPA 202, 203, 206, 212, or 213; or placement; or a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Spanish Language exam; or a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Literature exam; or a score of 7 on the IB exam.

Preparatory Courses for the 200-Level Language Requirement Courses

Typical Sequence

  • SPA 101 > SPA 102 > SPA 201

Course Descriptions

  • SPA 101. Elementary Spanish I. (3 h) The first course of a two-semester sequence. Designed to help students communicate in Spanish at the ACTFL novice mid level and identify cultural products and practices from around the Spanish-speaking world.
  • SPA 102. Elementary Spanish II. (3 h) The second course of a two-semester sequence. Designed to help students communicate in Spanish at the ACTFL novice high level and identify cultural products and practices from around the Spanish-speaking world. P–SPA 101 or 111; or placement.
  • SPA 201. Intermediate Spanish I. (3 h) The first course of a two-semester sequence. Designed to help students communicate in Spanish at the ACTFL intermediate low level and compare cultural products, practices, and perspectives from around the Spanish-speaking world. Does not fulfill the foreign language requirement. P–SPA 102 or 112 or 113; or placement.