Spanish

A major and a minor in Spanish are available, as well as teacher certification in Spanish for grades 5-12. For language placement purposes, native speakers of Spanish must meet with the Spanish faculty to determine language competency and accurate course placement.

Major in Spanish

37-40 credit hours

  • Spanish courses 202 level and higher21
  • Span 300, Hispanic Literature 3
  • Span 410, Senior Seminar 1
  • Related courses selected from the following: 12
    • Econ 306, International Economics
    • Engl 310, Introduction to Linguistics
    • Engl 320, Methods of TESOL
    • Hist 327, American Immigration & Ethnic History
    • Hist 344, Latin American History
    • Soc 334, Race, Class & Ethnic Relations
    • Soc 336, Latin American Societies and Cultures
    • Additional Spanish language and literature classes
  • Junior year abroad (or approved alternate) NC
  • Internship (may be met by extended residence in Spanish-speaking country) 0-3

Student learning outcomes

Graduates in Spanish will:

  1. Engage in Spanish language conversations, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
  2. Understand and interpret written and spoken Spanish on a variety of topics.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of Spanish speaking cultures.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of Spanish and English (or another language).
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of Spanish speaking cultures and their own.
  6. Use Spanish both within and beyond the school setting, including the Spanish speaking community in Goshen.
  7. Show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment, enrichment, and acquiring a larger global perspective.

Planning guide

First year Goshen Core
Level 202 or higher
Second language (or second year)
Second year Goshen Core
Advanced language courses
Second language
SST (recommended)
Third year Junior Year Abroad (advanced language and related courses)
Fourth year Balance of Goshen Core
Balance of major and related courses
Hispanic Literature
Senior Integrating Seminar

Planning and advising notes

While most Spanish majors begin to study Spanish in high school, it is possible to complete the major successfully if the student begins Spanish study at Goshen College and plans carefully. The requirement of two semesters living and studying abroad, usually completed during the student’s junior year, can be met by one of the following:
1) Spend one semester in a Goshen College Spanish language SST location and the other semester in an approved study abroad program. These two semesters do not necessarily need to be taken consecutively.
2) Spend two consecutive semesters in the same country with an approved study abroad program.
While SST is not required to complete the major, it is highly recommended.
The 12 credit hour requirement of upper level related coursework for the Spanish major is normally completed during the study semester in one of the following approved study abroad programs:

  • Amizade (formerly BCA)
  • CIEE – Center for Intercultural Education and Exchange
  • CEA – Cultural Experiences Abroad

The study-abroad requirement may be reduced or waived for native Spanish speakers.

Teacher education certification requirements

Teacher certification is available in Spanish for grades 5-12. Courses needed in addition to, or as part of, the Spanish major core requirements are as follows:
Engl 310, Engl 320 (3 credits), at least 33 credit hours of Spanish language (up to 9 credit hours for level 101-201 may be earned by exam).
In addition, 36 credits of education courses, including a semester of student teaching. The first education course, Educ 201, should be taken in May term of the first year or fall of the sophomore year. See the Education department pages for more details about requirements.

Minor in Spanish

12 credit hours

  • Spanish courses 202 level and higher 12
  • One semester of study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country (may be SST) NC

Planning and advising notes

Students completing Span 103 on SST will be given the equivalent credit for Span 201 offered on campus.
With the consent of the Spanish faculty, a minor in Spanish for native or near native speakers of Spanish can be awarded without participating in SST. In addition to faculty consent, the student will be required to take two additional 3-credit Spanish courses on campus, one being Span 400, Special Projects, with an emphasis on a service-learning project in the Goshen community.