Placement in language courses is based on one year of high school language being equivalent to one semester of college work. For example, four years of high school Spanish place the student in the first semester of the third year. Native Spanish speakers, near-native Spanish speakers, or students who have received advanced education abroad must substitute select classes. You can not only be fluent in Spanish by the time you finish your Major, but also have knowledge of and competence in literature, linguistics and culture of the Spanish-speaking world, as well as translation and interpretation skills. If you have previous knowledge of the language (high school, AP or IB student or Spanish-speaking student), please talk to a Spanish advisor within the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures to make sure you register in the course that is right for you.