1. I am new to the University and speak some Portuguese, how do I know what level to enroll in?
Please contact the Portuguese Language coordinator, Prof. Marujo, to ask for a placement recommendation. Manuela Marujo This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
2. I am new to the University and speak some Spanish, how do I know what level to enroll in?
Our placement test will assist you and the department in determining what year you should enroll at (please see #3 below). Unless you have Grade 12 Spanish (see #4 below) or have transferred credits from IB or other university level institutions, there are no restrictions. However, please note that instructors have the obligation to ask you to move to a lower or higher level if they identify your placement as inappropriate to the course. Please meet with the instructor, the UG coordinator if you are unclear as to what the right course for you is. It is in your best interest to do so as early as possible as registration is in high demand for many of these courses.
3. I have taken Grade 12 Spanish, what course should I enroll on?
Students who have taken Grade 12 Spanish should enroll directly in SPA 220Y. SPA100Y has a Grade 12 exclusion. This means you will not obtain credit towards your degree with your mark for SPA100Y. Students who have taken Grade 12 Spanish more than four years ago can request an exemption. This request must be presented in writing, and accompanied by copy of their high school transcripts and ROSI printout. Other rationales will not be considered.
4. I learned Spanish at home, but do not feel fluent. What course should I take?
We offer SPA319 Spanish for bilinguals for people who grew up speaking at home, but are not fully fluent and have not yet learned to read and write. This course offers a synthesis of skills that are taught in first, second and third year of Spanish, but the teaching of grammar, spelling and writing are designed to fit the needs of speakers who learned the language as a family language, or in a Spanish-speaking country, rather than in a classroom. Do not worry if you are not as fluent in Spanish as you are in English, nor have experience with grammar or writing. That is a good reason to join the course! If you have any doubts as to your ability to be in the class, please contact the undergraduate coordinator or the course instructor to verify your placement. See also #1.
5. I wish to enroll in an independent study. How do I start?
Independent studies are not a regular offering. These are courses set up by special arrangement between a professor and a student who wishes to further pursue an in depth study on an area beyond those covered on our courses but still related to our program.
Independent studies are not intended to solve scheduled conflicts, or to duplicate our existing coursework. It is a special individual arrangement, that requires special engagement and readiness for participating students. Typically, a student seeks a given professor and requests an independent course on a topic of interest to both. The professor may grant it on the basis of the student demonstrated ability to do independent work, availability to meet regularly, and the quality of the proposed project. If such agreement happens, the instructor and the student jointly submit a fully detailed program of study (syllabus), which includes: 1) clear statement of purpose, 2) a reading list, 3) proposed activities, and 4) method for evaluation and appropriate standards. The department evaluates the proposed syllabus for approval if it meets academic standards.
6. I am a second/third year student trying to enroll in SPA100Y or SPA220Y. Why is the system not allowing me to?
First and second year Spanish has registration priority given to students in first and second year. You will have to wait until the date the system lifts priorities to access these courses.
7. I am a student in a different faculty or campus. The system does not let me enroll in SPA100Y, and I fear that if I wait the course will fill up?
Registration priority is given to students in Arts and Sciences. All other students must wait until the system opens up these courses to them, as indicated in the registration schedule. We are unable to make individual exceptions.
8. I am a graduate student, wishing to take basic Spanish. How do I register in it?
You are free to enroll in the course through ROSI, after enrollment controls lift and graduate students are allowed registration in undergraduate courses, if space is available. At that point either you or your graduate coordinator or administrator will be able to process registration directly in ROSI. This varies from department to department, please consult with yours. Note that although it is often difficult to find room in SPA100Y at the end of enrollment period in September, there is usually room during the summer.
9. Can I audit a course?
We regret that we do not allow auditors in our basic Spanish language classes, due to enrollment pressure. For other courses, if the instructor allows, there is a form (available in the department) and a fee (please enquire).
10. When is course X offered?
For a complete list of our courses, please visit the site of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/undergraduate
go to Course Information for times and rooms,
and to Sessional Dates for term start dates.
11. I want to take courses, but I am not registered as a U of T student. How do I enroll?
You must enroll as a non-degree student to take courses at the University if you are not currently in a program. Please note that the application process takes some time. For information and applications, go to the admissions or the prospective student website.
http://www.adm.utoronto.ca/adm
http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/prospective
12. Can I have a cognate course for my program in Spanish and Portuguese?
The full list of cognate course for Majors and Specialists are on this site (LINK) Cognate credit is not allowed for the minor programs, but students enrolled in the Spanish minor can apply 1 FCE from Portuguese.
Opportunities
How do I obtain a language citation?
To apply for the language citation present language citation request form (LINK), accompanied by a printout of your course marks from ROSI, to the department. The citation is intended to provide recognition of language skills for students not enrolled
Study abroad
What scholarships are there available in the department?
There are several small scholarships. Many require no application and are managed through Awards. We have three study abroad prices where you specifically apply to the department. These are the Doris May Barker Scholarship, the Milton A. Buchanan Scholarship and the Kurt Levy Family Latin American Studies Travel Grant. Please see the application and descriptions. For application deadlines, please enquire.
I am interested on study abroad. Where should I go?
There is a variety of programs. The right program and country depends on your interests, whether you choose to go during a year, a semester, or just summer.
To ensure the courses you take are applicable to your program, please make sure you apply for pre-departure authorization. If you do not do so, you can still apply for transfer credit, but there is no guarantee. Remember to keep all the important documentation about your course such as syllabus, instructions for key assignments, etc., that may assist in the classification and accreditation of your exchange course.
Information on student exchange:
http://www.utoronto.ca/student.exchange/outgoing.html
Information on Transfer Credit can be found at
http://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/undergraduate/tc
Pre-departure authorization forms:
http://www.utoronto.ca/student.exchange//transfercredits/international.html
How can I ensure the course I take abroad is useful for my program?
A rule of thumb is that a course on Spanish or Portuguese content here is likely to count as a valid course for your Spanish degree if you take it at a recognized institution. Courses in other topics, such as, say, History, Classics and Politics remain courses in History, Classic and Politics even when taught in a Spanish or Portuguese-speaking university, and will be sent for credit assessment in those departments.
