Program Overview
The RC Spanish Program is the largest of the five intensive language programs; not surprising considering the rising prominence of Spanish in American culture and society.
Program Head: Olga Lopez-Cotin (olcotin@umich.edu)
The Residential College Spanish program offers the Spanish lunch table and Spanish coffee hours (Tertulia) to provide the opportunity to practice Spanish in informal situations. See this link for the days and times of the Tertulia and lunch tables. Anyone - students, faculty and friends - who can say something in Spanish are welcome. The Spanish table is held in the South Dining Hall. There are always several teachers on hand ready to converse with students and on occasion, we invite special guests to join us.
Courses & Activities | Highlights | Faculty
Spanish Immersion Overview
Interested in taking your Spanish skills to the next level while fulfilling your language requirement? The Residential College (RC) Spanish program offers a unique, immersive experience that goes beyond the classroom. With a blend of intensive coursework and opportunities for real-world practice, it's designed to help you gain true language proficiency—fast.
Here’s how it works: You’ll start by enrolling in RCLang 194 (Intensive Spanish I) and progress to RCLang 294 (Intensive Spanish II), or you can jump in at the right level if you’ve had previous Spanish experience - just take the LSA Placement Test! From there, you’ll take a proficiency exam that tests your listening, reading, writing, speaking, and grammar skills. Once you pass, you’re ready for the Readings Seminar (RCLang 324), which delves deeper into Spanish texts and culture.
Why choose RC Spanish? Beyond the rigorous academic foundation, the program integrates casual, fun ways to practice your Spanish. Join the Spanish lunch tables four days a week or pop by a Tertulia (Spanish coffee hour) to chat with fellow students, faculty, and special guests. These informal gatherings are an awesome way to practice your conversation skills in a relaxed setting.
The RC Spanish Program also prepares you for Study Abroad opportunities through the University of Michigan or other independent organizations. You’ll have the chance to apply your Spanish in real-world contexts, all while exploring new cultures!
Whether you’re a total beginner or already have some background in Spanish, the RC Spanish Program is here to support your language journey. Get ready for an immersive experience, close-knit learning community, and the chance to become fluent - fast!
Courses & Activities
The RC Spanish program offers fun, informal ways to practice your Spanish!
The Residential College Spanish program offers Spanish lunch tables and Spanish coffee hours(Tertulia) to provide the opportunity to practice Spanish in informal situations. Students, facultyand friends who wish to participate and practice their Spanish skills are welcome.
- Spanish Lunch Table table is held four days per week: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from11:00 to 12:00 in the Private Dining Room at the EQ cafeteria. There are always several teacherson hand ready to converse with students. Occasionally we invite special guests to join us.
- The Tertulia is held weekly according to this schedule in the Greene Lounge on Monday and Thursday from 2-3pm. Casual conversation and other forms of cultural exchange take place. Occasionally guests also visit our coffee hours. These are excellent opportunities for students topractice the skills they have been acquired in the classroom. Both activities are integral parts ofthe R.C. Spanish Program and enrolled students are expected to participate in them on a regular basis.
RCLANG 154 ELEMENTARY SPANISH: 4 contact hours per week (4 credits). Fall only.
RCLANG 194 INTENSIVE SPANISH I: 8 contact hours per week (8 credits)
RCLANG 294 INTENSIVE SPANISH II: 8 contact hours per week (8 credits)
RCLANG 314 SPANISH ACCELERATED REVIEW: 4 contact hours per week (4 credits)
RCLANG 324 SPANISH READINGS: 3 contact hours per week (4 credits)
Study Abroad With Spanish!
Students in the Residential College Spanish Program may participate in the Study Abroad opportunities offered by the University of Michigan or may consider other possibilities available to them through a variety of independent organizations or other colleges and universities. If interested, contact the faculty in the Spanish Program or the Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS).
What do students say?
"Learning Spanish through the RC opened doors to opportunities I never imagined. It played a key role in my decision to pursue International Studies focused on Latin America. The linguistic and cultural tools I gained gave me the confidence to contribute meaningfully in international relations and nonprofit work. This program not only equips students with valuable skills but also fosters self-discovery."
-- Michael Orrange, RC Class of 2019
Placement Policy
- First-year students with some background in Spanish should take the LSA Placement Test and consult with an academic counselor for placement at the appropriate level, either RC Lang 194 or 294. Some students with no background at all can only take Spanish 194 in the winter term or by permission from the Program Head.
- Students entering the program with more extensive backgrounds and higher scores on the LSA Placement Test will consult with an academic advisor whether they are eligible to take the Residential College Spanish Proficiency Exam. Dates and times for this exam (administered before the term begins) will be posted outside 107 Greene, East Quad, at the end of August.
- Students who do not pass the Proficiency Exam normally enroll in RCLANG 314, Spanish Accelerated Review. This is a 4-credit review course for students who have not quite reached the required level of proficiency at the end of RCLANG 294 intensive course and for incoming students who do not need the 8 hours of the RCLANG 294 intensive course to reach our proficiency level. Depending on performance some students who do not pass the Spanish Proficiency Exam may still be advised to enroll in RCLANG 294 (8 credits).
The Proficiency Exam
The Spanish Proficiency Exam is administered three times each year: at the end of August right before classes start, at the end of the Fall Semester in December, and at the end of the Winter Semester in April. All RC students who have completed the second-year level or the Accelerated Review, including RC students who take Spanish through LSA, are required to pass proficiency before they can take the required third-year Readings seminar.
The Proficiency examination is a five-part, comprehensive test of language ability:
- listening comprehension;
- reading comprehension;
- mastery of Spanish grammar;
- ability to write and,
- ability to speak (interview).
Students who let more than one semester elapse between passing the profiiciency exam and enrollment in the Spanish Readings course (without having taken a Spanish course or lived in a Spanish-speakingcountry in the interim) must re-take the Spanish Profiiciency Exam.
