STRATEGY 1

Check the Prerequisites page to find out what the requirements are for each level. Consider how they compare with your experiences.

STRATEGY 2

Take one or both of the short online tests linked below. Use them in combination with the other strategies presented on this page to get an idea of the most appropriate level in which to enroll.

• Spanish Test 1

• Spanish Test 2

STRATEGY 3

Review these summaries of the material covered in first and second-semester Spanish courses. Do the structures and vocabulary areas seem familiar to you?

In Spanish A180 or A180H, in addition to many other structures, we cover the present tense of verbs. In terms of vocabulary, we focus on those areas related to your immediate surroundings: clothing; physical descriptions (of self and friends); family; possessions (car, bicycle, house, etc.); leisure time activities, plus likes and dislikes; days of the week, months, and time; plans (weekend and/or after class); classes and majors; the weather; an introduction to food and drink; holidays; daily routine (getting up, brushing teeth, breakfast, etc.); abilities; jobs and careers. 

In Spanish A185 or A185H, in addition to many other structures, we cover the past tenses (preterite and imperfect), and we introduce something called the present subjunctive, along with formal commands. In terms of vocabulary, we start branching into areas that take you a little outside of your immediate surroundings, including: your house or apartment; your neighborhood; domestic activities; past experiences; more foods and drinks; food preparation; restaurants; more about your (extended) family; your childhood; your adolescence; geographical regions; traveling, more about the human body; illnesses and treatments; medical attention; accidents and emergencies.

STRATEGY 4

Review the textbooks used in the courses, and see how familiar you are (or are not) with the material covered.

The textbook used for the first two semesters of Spanish is Tu mundo, 3rd edition. It may be accessed for free for two weeks at the beginning of the semester by setting up an account with Connect (get the appropriate URL from your instructor. If you’re not enrolled in a class, go to the OCC Library to view a printed version (available in the Reserves section). Look through the book, focusing especially on the Gramática and Vocabulario sections. in Spanish A180 or A180H (first semester), we cover up through Chapter 6. In Spanish A185 or A185H (second semester), we cover Chapters 7-12. (See above for a summary of the material covered in each course).

The textbook used for the third and fourth semesters of Spanish depends on the instructor. One program used is Entrada libre. Capítulos 1-4 are covered in A280 (third semester) and Capítulos 5-8 are covered in A285 (fourth semester). Again, scroll through the grammatical structures presented and see how familar you are with the material covered.

After reviewing the textbook(s):

• If you're not very familiar with the material covered in Tu mundo, Chapters 1-6, consider enrolling in Spanish A180 or A180H.

• If you're very familiar with the material covered in Tu mundo, Chapters 1-6, consider enrolling in Spanish A185 or A185H.

• If you're very familiar with the material in Chapters 1-6 and 7-12, but not with the material covered in Entrada libre, consider enrolling in Spanish A280 or A280H (third-semester) or Spanish A285 (fourth-semester).

• If everything seems very familiar to you, consider studying another language! In addition to Spanish, we offer Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Vietnamese. 🙂

If you determine that you would like to enroll in second, third or fourth-semester Spanish and you have not taken the previous (first, second or third-semester) course here at OCC, you'll need to complete a prerequisite clearance form or a prerequisite challenge form. See the Prerequisites page for more information on both.