Q. I never had any Spanish/French/German before, what class should I take?
A. We recommend Spanish/French/German 1300. This course is slower-paced and less comprehensive than Spanish/French/German 1411. Throughout the course, the emphasis is on conversational skills; reading and writing are done as reinforcement.

Q. Can I take two language courses at the same time?
A. You cannot take two language courses at the same time because of prerequisite considerations. If you register for two courses simultaneously, you will be dropped automatically from the one you don't have the prerequisite.

Q. If I get a "D" in a course, can I take the next course in the sequence?
A. A grade of "D" in any HCCS course will not transfer to a four-year college. We highly recommend retaking the course, because your chances of being successful at the next level are very slim.

Q. I had previous language experience in college and/or in high school, how do I know what course to take?
A. We suggest you come into the department and interview with the assistant chair or chair of the department to determine the level best suited for you.

Q. I am a heritage speaker, what course should I take?
A. See the assistant chair or chair of the department to determine the course you need to take. In the case of Spanish, you should take Spanish 2313, if it is offered.

Q. Will I be fluent after taking the entire sequence of four courses?
A. We cannot guarantee fluency. Fluency is a measure of how much effort, you, as a student, put into learning the language. Also fluency takes lots of practice and time. We suggest you give yourself lots of opportunities to practice what you learn at every step of the learning process.

Q. Which language is easier to learn?
A. It is up to you. Many of us have different aptitudes, motivations, and discipline for learning any language. What is very easy for one, might not be easy for others.

Q. Why should I learn any language other than English?
A. There are many reasons to take up another language:

• You become a world citizen.
• It opens the door to a new world: books, newspapers, movies, TV programs, web sites, people, places.
• Studying a second language improves your skills in math and English and can improve entrance exam scores SATs, GREs, MCATs, and LSATs.
• In this global economy and work place, it improves your chances of being successfully employed.