Want to know the key to success for studying Spanish? It's not just studying, though that is very important. No matter if you're just beginning to learn the language or if you've been studying for years, practicing Spanish beyond the classroom is essential to becoming proficient in the language and cultural communication.
To be a successful student of Spanish, you should engage in the following activities outside of class in order to increase your contact with the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures.
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100 Level
A successful student at the 100-level should:
- Seek advising from a Spanish faculty member and have at least one advising session per semester.
- Become an active member of the Spanish Club and participate in as many activities as possible.
- Attend the Spanish conversation table at least once a month.
- Attend the Spanish movies in the World Languages Film Series.
- Work on Conéctate McGraw-Hill Connect and online activities regularly.
- Seek social contact with native speakers of Spanish at Latin dance events, local Mexican restaurants, local Latino gatherings, etc.
- Begin planning academically and financially for a study abroad semester/summer during your undergraduate experience.
- Browse People en Español, El Paisano, or other Spanish magazines or newspapers.
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200 Level
A successful student at the 200 level should:
- Seek advising from a Spanish faculty member and have at least one advising session per semester.
- Become an active member of the Spanish Club and participate in as many activities as possible.
- Attend the Spanish conversation table at least twice a month.
- Attend the Spanish movies in the Palomitas Spanish and Latin American Film Club.
- Work on Conéctate McGraw-Hill Connect and online activities regularly.
- Locate a conversation partner (intercambio) in the Birmingham area and meet with them once a week; trade one hour of speaking Spanish with one hour of English practice. Try putting a sign up in the Smolian International House to locate a conversation partner.
- Listen to online radio broadcasts in Spanish (look for radio emisoras) and television shows in Spanish.
- Read international Spanish-language newspapers from around the world.
- Study abroad in summer.
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300 Level
A successful student at the 300 level should:
- Seek advising from a Spanish faculty member and have at least one advising session per semester.
- Become a leading or officer member of the Spanish Club and participate in as many activities as possible; volunteer to become a Spanish tutor for other Spanish Club members.
- Guide intro level students in Spanish and become a Spanish mentor.
- Attend the Spanish conversation table regularly.
- Attend the Spanish movies in the Palomitas Spanish and Latin American Film Club.
- Attend conferences and lectures organized by the DWLL whenever possible.
- Study abroad in summer or a semester.
- Watch a movie in Spanish every two weeks (available for check out at FLMS).
- Volunteer at local centers such as the Hoover Multicultural Center or HICA to lend a hand in Spanish and meet Spanish speakers.
- Listen to online radio broadcasts in Spanish (look for radio emisoras) and television shows in Spanish.
- Read international Spanish-language newspapers from around the world.
- Seek Service Learning opportunities offered through Spanish classes.
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400 Level
A successful student at the 400 level should:
- Seek advising from a Spanish faculty member and have at least one advising session per semester.
- Become a leading or officer member of the Spanish Club and participate in as many activities as possible; volunteer to become a Spanish tutor for other Spanish Club members.
- Guide intro level students in Spanish and become a Spanish mentor.
- Attend the Advanced Spanish conversation table regularly.
- Attend the Spanish movies in the Palomitas Spanish and Latin American Film Club.
- Watch a movie in Spanish every two weeks or weekly (available for check out at FLMS).
- Attend conferences and lectures organized by the DWLL whenever possible.
- Study abroad in summer or a semester.
- Read a newspaper in Spanish daily (online or print).
- Find student association like the International Student Association or the Latino Student Association and join so that you can practice Spanish and learn about the many Spanish-speaking cultures.
- Set Google to Google en español and search some of your favorite topics.
- Volunteer at local centers such as the Hoover Multicultural Center or HICA to lend a hand in Spanish and meet Spanish speakers.
- Read a novel in Spanish from Stern Library every semester that is not required for class, asking your instructors for guidance if needed.
- Listen to online radio broadcasts in Spanish (look for radio emisoras) and television shows in Spanish.
- Read international Spanish-language newspapers from around the world.
- Seek Service Learning opportunities offered through Spanish classes.
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500 level (graduate)
A successful student in the Graduate Foreign Language Education program should:
- Seek advising from a Spanish faculty member and have at least one advising session per semester.
- Become an officer of the Spanish Club and participate in as many activities as possible.
- Guide intro level students in Spanish and become a Spanish mentor.
- Attend the Advanced Spanish conversation table regularly.
- Attend the Spanish movies in the Palomitas Spanish and Latin American Film Club.
- Attend conferences and lectures organized by the DWLL.
- Watch a movie in Spanish every two weeks or weekly (available for check out at FLMS).
- Study abroad in summer or a semester.
- Read a newspaper in Spanish daily (online or print).
- Read a novel in Spanish from Stern Library every semester that is not required for class, asking your instructors for guidance if you need it.
- Become a member of professional organizations related to your specific Spanish-related field (ie Spanish Education: Alabama Association of Foreign Language Teachers, American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese).
- Listen to online radio broadcasts in Spanish (look for radio emisoras) and television shows in Spanish.
- Read international Spanish-language newspapers from around the world.
