Students have several options for finding the appropriate level at which they should start their language studies at TCU. Various means of determining proper placement as well as obtaining credit for previous language study are outlined below.
1) To determine proper placement level, students should consult the level descriptions on the department's website and take the computerized CAPE examination. Details concerning the CAPE placement exam will be provided to incoming students prior to orientation and registration. Please understand that this test will not affect your scholastic standing. The test is focused on serving you better in your class placement for Spanish courses.
To access, click on TCU CAPE (Students must type in lower case letters: Password: frogs1 [ends with the digit 1]).
Important: Students are advised to allow 30-50 minutes to take the test and not to rush through it.
2) Students with academic or life experience in a foreign language are urged to enroll at a level appropriate to their skills. As an incentive for students to enroll at their actual level of ability, TCU offers the opportunity to earn advanced placement credits through one of two ways:
a. By means of exams administered by the College Board (AP or CLEP).
Suggested placement for students with AP credit is as follows:
| AP Score |
|
TCU Equivalent |
|
Credit |
|
Placement |
| 3 |
|
10103, 10203 |
|
6 sem. hrs |
|
20103 |
| 4 |
|
10103, 10203, 20103, 20203 |
|
12 sem. hrs |
|
31103/31203/31403 |
| 5 |
|
10103, 10203, 20103, 20203 |
|
12 sem. hrs |
|
31103/31203/31403 |
b. By entering at an appropriate level in accordance with the guideline provided below (whenever uncertain, students should consult with an advisor in the Department of Spanish and Hispanic Studies):
SPAN 10103: for students who have never studied Spanish.
SPAN 10203: for students who have minimal formal study and very limited knowledge of Spanish grammar and culture.
SPAN 20103: for students who know basic Spanish grammar and need to learn more complex structures and to practice writing.
SPAN 20203: for students who have a good grasp of Spanish grammar but are not quite ready for advanced language courses.
SPAN 31103, 31203, 31403: for students who are ready to begin at an advanced level. This is also the entry point into the Spanish major.
Earning Advanced Placement Credits According to Entrance Level
Students whose first foreign language class at TCU is beyond the first semester level may earn additional language credit (if credit has not already been awarded for transfer, CLEP, or AP work) as follows:
a. If the first foreign language class is at the second semester level (SPAN 10203) and a grade of B- or higher is earned, three semester hours credit will also be awarded for the first semester course. That is, the student will earn a total of six hours of credits for taking a three-credit course.
b. If the first foreign language class is at the third semester level (SPAN 20103) and a grade of B- or higher is earned, six semester hours credit will also be awarded for the first and second semester courses. That is, the student will earn a total of nine hours of credits for taking a three-credit course.
c. If the first foreign language class is at the fourth semester level (SPAN 20203) and a grade of B- or higher is earned, nine semester hours credit will also be awarded for the first, second, and third semester courses. That is, the student will earn a total of twelve hours of credits for taking a three-credit course.
d. If the first foreign language class is above SPAN 20203 and a grade of B- or higher is earned, nine semester hours credit will also be awarded for the second, third, and fourth semester courses. That is, the student will earn a total of twelve hours of credits for taking a three-credit course.
Note:
A) Spanish for Beginners 1 is strictly designed and reserved for students with no previous study of the language.
B) Students are advised not to enroll in courses numbered 10103-31103 in reverse order for credit. E.g., a student who receives credit for SPAN 20103 and then decides to take SPAN 10203 will receive credit only for SPAN 20103.
Native and Heritage Speakers
A native speaker is considered to be someone whose primary and/or secondary education took place in a Spanish-speaking country. A heritage speaker is someone who was primarily educated in US schools but who speaks Spanish in the home and with friends and co-workers and is quite fluent.
As a native or heritage speaker, you should consider enrolling in Spanish 32403 or 32603. If you believe that you want either grammar or writing skill development, you may consider enrolling in Spanish 31203 or Spanish 31403. You are not eligible to enroll in Spanish 31103.
Back to top ^ |
