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Spanish Language

Learn How to Successfully Read, Write, and Communicate Conversationally in Spanish

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About the Spanish Language Program

Courses

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REQUIRED COURSES

All six must be taken in sequence listed

Spanish for Communication ILASP-40001

Units: 3.00

$350

As the first in a seven-level language series, Level I is aimed at total beginners. In a highly interactive, lively classroom environment, students learn to perform simple tasks in the present tense, ...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish for Communication IILASP-40002

Units: 3.00

$350

Level II is designed for beginner students who have had some basic exposure to Spanish. Conversations include describing people, professions, places and events using a variety of regular and irregular...

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish for Communication IIILASP-40003

Units: 3.00

$350

Designed for those who have familiarity with the basic structures of Spanish, Level IIIstudents learn to discuss many aspects of food, celebrations, responding to requests, inviting and declining pol...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish for Communication IVLASP-40004

Units: 3.00

$350

In a highly interactive, lively classroom environment, Level IVstudents will continue to develop their comfort in speaking and understanding Spanish while learning about clothing, parts of the body, t...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish for Communication VLASP-40005

Units: 3.00

$350

Level V Participants progress to a higher comfort level of speaking Spanish. Conversation topics include professions and technology used in the work place, house and furnishings, sports, wellness, and...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish for Communication VILASP-40006

Units: 3.00

$350

At this level, participants strengthen their competency in Spanish while building considerable confidence in using the language in diverse situations. Conversation topics include sports, wellness, nat...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

ELECTIVES

Choose a minimum of nine units

General Electives

It is recommended that electives be taken after completion of Spanish for Communication VI, unless otherwise indicated

Spanish for Communication VIILASP-40082

Units: 3.00

$350

The main objective of level VII is to continue developing conversational skills in Spanish. The last two grammar topics presented in the book will be studied. In addition, the main focus will be to re...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish Fluency (Intro)- SpainLASP-40058

Units: 3.00

$350

• Designed for intro intermediate level Spanish speakers, instruction focuses on developing greater fluency. Utilizing the communicative approach, you will refine your ability to describe, compar...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish Fluency (Intro): The CaribbeanLASP-40059

Units: 3.00

$320

• At the end of this course, students will have a better understanding about another Spanish speaking region: The Caribbean (Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela). With a cultural ...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish Fluency (Interm): MexicoLASP-40083

Units: 3.00

$350

Designed for intermediate level Spanish speakers, instruction focuses on developing greater fluency. Utilizing the communicative approach, students will refine their ability to react to situations or ...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish Fluency (Interm): The Southern ConeLASP-40084

Units: 3.00

$320

Designed for intermediate level Spanish speakers, instruction focuses on developing greater fluency. Chapter 4 of Punto y Aparte Spanish in Review - Moving toward Fluency (Sixth Edition) is covered....

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish Fluency (Adv.):the Andean RegionLASP-40085

Units: 3.00

$320

Refining Fluency in Spanish: Andean region places communicative goals at the forefront of this Spanish course. You will not just learn about the language, you will learn how to use it. This course n...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish Fluency (Adv): Central AmericaLASP-40155

Units: 3.00

$350

Culture and history of Central America. Chapters 5-6 of the textbook are covered....

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish Conversations: Practical DialoguesLASP-40012

Units: 3.00

TBD

Students select eight conversational topics which become class discussions. Instructor provides vocabulary, idioms and special expressions, and students build dialogues in small groups. Cultural, his...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish Conversations: News and World IssuesLASP-40056

Units: 3.00

TBD

Through the use of discussions, role-play, interviews, presentations and other hands-on learning techniques, you are immersed in all aspects of the Spanish-speaking world and made to feel confident an...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish Conversations: Literary CaféLTSP-40004

Units: 3.00

$350

Explore the rich and wide-ranging worlds of contemporary Latin America and Spain through the works of their most talented authors. A relaxed and inviting atmosphere allows you to have fun while you in...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish Conversations: FilmLASP-40151

Units: 3.00

$350

Broaden your cultural horizons and gain a unique insight into Hispanic culture through film. A wide selection of Spanish movies that vary in content and genre will be presented with a focus on the cul...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish Conversations: Latin American Culture through FilmLASP-40087

Units: 3.00

$320

This course introduces students to a variety of prominent 20th century Latin American films in their original language. Students will have an opportunity to engage directly these visual texts without ...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish for Healthcare Professionals ILASP-40150

Units: 3.00

$350

This course is appropriate for beginning-level Spanish learners in the medical health profession who wish to increase their effectiveness in communicating with Spanish speaking clients. Topics include...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish for Healthcare Professionals IILASP-40011

Units: 3.00

$350

This course is appropriate for advanced beginner-level Spanish learners in the medical health profession who wish to increase their effectiveness in communicating with Spanish speaking clients. Topics...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish for Healthcare Professionals IIILASP-40152

Units: 3.00

$350

This course is appropriate for intermediate-level Spanish learners in the medical health profession who wish to increase their effectiveness in communicating with Spanish speaking clients. Topics incl...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Travel Study Electives

Programs available in Mexico

Weekend Spanish Immersion program in Ensenada, MexicoLASP-40081

Units: 1.00

TBD

Spend the weekend in Ensenada studying Spanish language and culture in Ensenada, Mexico. Students attend eight hours of classroom instruction at the Center of Languages, a well-established Mexican l...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Weeklong Spanish Immersion Program in Ensenada, Mexico - Elementary levelLASP-40053

Units: 3.00

TBD

Take advantage of the opportunity to spend a week studying Spanish language and culture in Ensenada, Mexico. Each week, students attend 30 hours of classroom instruction at the Center of Languages,...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Weeklong Spanish Immersion Program in Ensenada, Mexico - Beginner levelLASP-40147

Units: 3.00

TBD

Take advantage of the opportunity to spend a week studying Spanish language and culture in Ensenada, Mexico. Each week, students attend 30 hours of classroom instruction at the Center of Languages,...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Weeklong Spanish Immersion program in Ensenada, Mexico - Intermediate levelLASP-40054

Units: 3.00

TBD

Take advantage of the opportunity to spend a week studying Spanish language and culture in Ensenada, Mexico. Each week, students attend 30 hours of classroom instruction at the Center of Languages,...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Weeklong Spanish Immersion Program in Ensenada, Mexico - Advanced levelLASP-40055

Units: 3.00

TBD

Take advantage of the opportunity to spend a week studying Spanish language and culture in Ensenada, Mexico. Each week, students attend 30 hours of classroom instruction at the Center of Languages,...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish for Medical Professionals in Ensenada, MexicoLASP-40145

Units: 3.00

TBD

Spend a week in Ensenada, Mexico learning Spanish and increasing your cultural competency at the Center of Languages, a well-established language school in Ensenada. This program is ideal for all l...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Spanish Immersion Program in QuerétaroLASP-40154

Units: 3.00

$165

Weeklong Immersion Program in Querétaro, Mexico. This section is ONLY for students who already made arrangements to participate in this immersion program and would like to earn university credit for t...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

PROFICIENCY EXAM

Exam required upon completion of coursework to receive certificate

Spanish Proficiency ExamEXAM-80004

Units: 0.00

$105

Participants in the Professional Certificate in Spanish Language are required to take a Spanish language proficiency exam upon completion of all other coursework in the certificate program. The exam ...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Conditions for Admission

This certificate does not require any prior Spanish language knowledge or experience.

Certificate Guidelines

In order to receive the Professional Certificate in Spanish, participants must successfully complete the total number of credit units (27 quarter units) and the Spanish Language Proficiency Exam. Exceptions must be approved by the academic department in advance. The approximate cost of the program is estimated at $2,750 (includes course fees and certificate enrollment fee) and is paid incrementally as students enroll in courses, rather than up front. Early enrollment discounts can reduce the cost to $2,525. Cost does not include textbooks, materials, or parking.

Hear from Students

Learning to communicate in a Foreign Language can be fun. UC San Diego Extension's Foreign Language students share their insights and reasons for learning a foreign language from us.

Special Notes

All courses are open to students not enrolled in the certificate, but enrollment in the certificate will require an application and certificate fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What level should I start at?

Within the course description page for each Spanish for Communication course there is a link to a self-placement exam. This exam is self-graded (answers are at the end of the PDF) and is meant to be a guide to assist students in placing themselves in the correct Spanish level. The exams test some of the vocabulary and grammar points covered in each level. Students scoring an 80% or higher are recommended to advance to the next level. For example, if a student completes the exam listed under Spanish for Communication 1 and scores a 90%, they should then review the exam listed under Spanish for Communication 2. If they then score a 60%, then Spanish for Communication 2 should be a good starting point in their language learning.

What if I am starting above level one?

The Spanish language certificate requires 27 credits. For students new to the Spanish language the sequence is Spanish 1-6 followed by three higher level electives. If you are starting above level one you would then need to take an additional higher level electives to meet the credit requirement. For example, if you start at level two you would then complete Spanish 2-6 followed by four higher level electives. 

Students can also transfer in up to two college level Spanish courses. Please email ahl@ucsd.edu for more information about transferability of previously completed Spanish language courses.

In what order should I complete the classes?

  • Spanish for Communication 1-6 should be completed sequentially. Students should not complete any of the 1-6 courses concurrently.
  • Spanish: Advanced-Beginner Conversations is an optional lower level conversation class. Students should enroll in this class after completing Spanish for Communication 3, either by itself or concurrently with Spanish for Communication 4. This class does not count towards the Spanish Language certificate and is an optional additional class.
  • After completing Spanish for Communication 6, it is recommended that students advance to a Refining Fluency course:
    • Spanish Refining Fluency: Spain & the Caribbean
    • Spanish Refining Fluency: Mexico & the Southern Cone
    • Spanish Refining Fluency: Andean region and Central America
  • After completing at least one Refining Fluency course, students can then advance to the Conversation courses:
    • Spanish Conversations: Practical Dialogues
    • Spanish Conversations: News and World Issues
    • Spanish Conversations: Literary Café
    • Spanish Conversations: Film

How long does it take to complete this certificate?

You officially have five years to complete all requirements for the certificate, although students can usually complete the entire program in 2 1/4 years by taking one course per quarter.

Can I transfer in any courses?

Students can transfer in up to two college level Spanish courses. Please email ahl@ucsd.edu for more information about transferability of previously completed Spanish language courses.

When does enrollment open for each quarter?

Our classes post to our website and become open for enrollment about two months prior to the new quarter starting.
 

When should I enroll in a class?

We recommend enrolling as soon as possible. Each quarter we offer an early enrollment discount of $25 if you enroll by the discount deadline (usually 4-6 weeks prior to the start of the new quarter). Additionally it is good to enroll early because occasionally classes will reach capacity.

*Note: The $25 early enrollment discount does not apply to For Travelers workshops.
 

How do I enroll in a class?

To enroll in a class, click on the class link in the course matrix above and that will take you to the specific class page. On the class page you can find additional details about the course such as start date, time, classroom number, instructor and textbook info.  To enroll click on “Add to Cart” which will lead you to complete the registration/payment process. You can also register over the phone with Student Services at 858-534-3400.

When does enrollment close?

Enrollment in a class may be blocked in the following three situations:

  • The class is at capacity. If the class is at capacity you will only be able to join the waitlist.  Students on the waitlist are contacted in the order they joined the waitlist.
  • The class has already met for two class meetings. We close enrollments the morning after the second class meeting for all language classes. Students are expected to enroll and attend no later than the second class meeting. 
  • The class is cancelled due to low enrollments. 
For all three of these reasons we recommend students enroll early in the class they are interested in.

What is the cost of these courses and certificate?

The Spanish language courses cost $320 each.  Each quarter we offer an early enrollment discount of $25 if you enroll by the discount deadline (usually 4-6 weeks prior to the start of the new quarter) which brings the class fee down to $295.

The approximate cost of the program is estimated at $2,975 (include course fees and certificate enrollment fee) and is paid incrementally as students enroll in courses, rather than up front. Early enrollment discounts can reduce the cost to $2,750. Cost does not include textbooks, materials, or parking.

When is the refund deadline?

The refund deadline for the language courses is typically two days after the first class meeting. This allows students to enroll in a class, attend the first meeting and then if needed either transfer their enrollment to a higher or lower level or submit a drop request if they don’t feel the class is a good fit for them. The exact refund deadline for each section is listed in the section notes.

*Note: The refund deadline for For Travelers workshops is the day before the workshop starts.

What are the attendance and participation requirements?

Students are expected to attend all class meetings, participate in class, and complete all homework assignments. Typically students can miss one class meeting without it impacting their final grade as long as they still complete their homework. Missing more than one class meeting can result in a lower grade or a non-passing grade. Students who know in advance that they will have to miss two or more meetings are encouraged to either take the class Not for Credit or wait until a quarter in which they will be able to attend all class meetings. Students who miss a class meeting should always reach out to their instructor regarding late work and homework.
 

What are the grading options?

Students can take classes for one of three options: Letter grade, Pass/No Pass, or Not for Credit. Students taking a class towards the Spanish Language Certificate or Spanish for Healthcare Professionals certificate need to complete their classes for credit (i.e. Pass/No Pass or Letter grade) and receive a C-/Pass or higher grade. Grades below a C-, No Pass, and Not for credit do not count towards certificate requirements.
 

Where are the foreign language classes held?

Currently, all of our foreign language courses are delivered "live-online" via Zoom. There are no in-person courses.

Do I need to pay for parking?

If your class is on a weeknight and you plan to drive to campus you will need to pay for parking. We recommend purchasing a quarterly night parking permit (~$43). If you are taking a 9-10 week class it is more affordable to buy this permit rather than use the hourly permit machines ($3 per hour). Quarterly night permits can be purchased online at: http://ow.ly/DnTP302mth0. Parking on Saturdays is free.

Do you offer any language classes online?

Currently, all of our foreign language courses are delivered "live-online" via Zoom.
 

What class materials are used in Spanish for Communication 1-6?

The Spanish for Communication 1-6 series uses the 2nd edition of McGraw-Hill’s Conéctate textbook and Connect materials.

All students must purchase access to Connect's online platform for submitting homework & quizzes (~$80 for 180 days). Students also need a textbook for in class. An ebook is included in the Connect ~$80 access fee. Those opting for the ebook should bring a laptop or digital device to class. Students may opt to also purchase a physical textbook if preferred. Materials & Connect log-in info will be discussed in more detail during the first class meeting. All students will submit homework online via Connect.
 

Are these classes transferable?

UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies is not a degree granting institution, however many UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies courses can be transferred to other colleges or universities.

The transferability of credit is determined solely by the receiving institution. Students should discuss how your individual courses will transfer with the Office of the Registrar at the receiving institution prior to enrolling.

Quarter to Semester Unit Conversion
If the receiving institution operates on a semester system, credits will be converted to semester hours during their evaluation. As a general rule, quarter credits are converted to semester credits by dividing the number of quarter credits by 1.5. For example, if the student completed a course worth 4 quarter credits at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, the course would be worth 4 ÷ 1.5 = 2.66 semester credits.
 

I am in high school. Can I take any of the Extension language courses?

If you are interested in taking courses at UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies, you will need to obtain written approval from your school principal or counselor. The approval must be signed and printed on school letterhead, and must be included with your registration. If you are homeschooled, your approval needs to be signed by your contact in your local school district.
 
The letter should verify that you, the student, have the maturity and academic readiness to attend a post-baccalaureate level or college-level course.
 
 
Approvals can be faxed to 858-534-8527, emailed to unex-reg@ucsd.edu, or mailed to:
                UCSD Diego Division of Extended Studies Student Services
                9500 Gilman Dr., Dept. 0176-H
                La Jolla, CA   92093-0176
 
We are unable to accept letters signed by your parent, even if your parent is your teacher and/or school administrator. If you have taken community college courses, an official transcript from that college verifying coursework will be accepted in lieu of a letter from your high school or district. College transcripts must reflect a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

**Please note that the advanced Spanish Conversation courses may contain adult themes and the Spanish Film class may use rated R movies.
 

Why don’t you offer classes in X language?

If we don’t have the language you are looking for, please let us know what language you’d like to learn so that way we gauge demand for new programs. Also, if you let us know what classes you are looking for that we don’t currently offer we may be able to point you in the direction of other local educational institutions that do offer the language you are looking for.   
 

Additional questions?

For questions regarding our classes and certificates, please contact us at ahl@ucsd.edu or 858-534-5760.

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This certificate requires an application before taking any courses. There will be a $0 fee to apply to this program. Students will also be required to pay a $95 certificate fee upon enrollment into the program after acceptance. View the complete Certificate Registration and Candidacy Guidelines.