Bilingual Basic Language Program

We offer a Bilingual Program for heritage speakers of Spanish. This program is designed for students who have been in contact with Spanish either through their homes or through extended exposure to the language in a Spanish-speaking country. Students who complete this program fulfill the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences language requirement.  The aim of the program is to build on students’ competency in Spanish reading, writing, and grammar. Designed as a hybrid program, students get exposure to the language both in the classroom and online.

After completing this program, students are encouraged to join our undergraduate program at the 200 level where they can further expand their linguistic skills in courses such as Span 202/Spanish Grammar in Practice and Span 204/Extensive Reading and Writing for Heritage Speakers of Spanish.

Coordinator of Bilingual Basic Language Program

Kim Potowski
kimpotow@uic.edu
(312) 996 - 8524
1707 UH

Placement
Program Description

Placement

Placement in Spanish 113 and 114, Spanish for bilinguals


You should take the Spanish for bilinguals placement test if you learned Spanish in a "natural," non-academic environment (at home, during residence abroad, etc.). Don't worry if you don't have much experience writing or reading Spanish. The majority of students in this program were born and raised in Chicago by parents who immigrated from Spanish-speaking countries. Others learned Spanish from their grandparents or during periods of living in Latin America.

This track allows you to complete in 1 or 2 semesters the LAS foreign language requirement, which normally takes 4 semesters. The Spanish for Bilinguals placement test does not automaticaly "place you out" of the foreign language requirement. It determines in which level of Bilingual Spanish you should be placed. Only 5-10% of students who take the test "place out" of the 100-level.

You should take the Spanish Placement Test for Hispanic Bilingual Speakers at the Office of Testing Services at the Student Services Building, (312) 996-0919. You will receive your results within 48 school hours.

NOTE: If you would like your results in time to register for a Spanish course, you must take the placement exam during the first week of the semester. 
After the first week of the semester, we cannot guarantee that you will have your results in time to register for that semester. You will have to wait until the following semester to register for a course.

Important notes

1. As a native speaker you CANNOT get credit for the Spanish Basic Language sequence (SPAN 101, 102, 103, 104). This is the same logic that prevents native English speakers from taking ESL courses. If you enroll in the Spanish Basic Language sequence, you will be asked to meet with Professor Kim Potowski for an evaluation. Failure to comply with Departmental regulations regarding placement can result in your being dropped from a Spanish class.
2. The placement test can only be taken once. However, your scores do not "expire" after any period of time.
3. You cannot place yourself into 113 or 114.  You must take the placement exam or risk being dropped from a course.
4. If you completed high school in a Spanish-speaking country, you should not take the placement test. Please contact your LAS advisor for placement.

For any questions, contact Professor Kim Potowski, Director of the Spanish for Bilinguals Program.

Program Description

Español 113 y 114 en UIC se enfocan primordialmente en el desarrollo del español escrito formal a través de ensayos argumentativos sobre una variedad de temas.  El libro de texto que usamos en 113 y 114 se titula Conversaciones escritas (Wiley, 2010).

El objetivo principal de estos cursos es proporcionar al estudiante hispanohablante la oportunidad de leer y escribir textos argumentativos en español, así como reflexionar sobre el idioma y ampliar su conocimiento del español escrito.  Las actividades le guían al estudiante a leer como escritor y escribir como lector, siempre teniendo en cuenta la tesis, el público y una serie de estrategias discursivas. Se espera que a lo largo del curso, el alumno reafirme lo que ya sabe sobre la cultura y la lengua española y que además haga uso en su vida académica general de los conocimientos sobre la redacción formal.

Se elaborarán entre 6-8 textos cortos y 1-2 composiciones largas que tienen como finalidad perfeccionar las estrategias de redacción para lograr más claridad y precisión.