Spanish Courses for Heritage Speakers Benefit Students in Any Major

Luis Fernando Restrepo

¡Mi lengua, mi comunidad!

The U of A Spanish Program offers three levels of courses for students who grew up in Spanish-speaking households. Heritage speakers can earn credit for all the basic Spanish courses (SPAN 1003, 1013, 2003 and 2013) when they take an upper-level course. More importantly, they can easily complete a minor or double major in Spanish, adding valuable credentials to their professional portfolio. Spanish is needed in basically any industry in the U.S. today, and it may represent higher earnings.

Heritage speakers can also take Spanish courses on Latino education (SPAN 4563; offered fall semesters), business (SPAN 4333; offered fall semesters), health professions (SPAN 4583; offered spring semesters) or translation and interpretation (SPAN 3883; offered both semesters), plus other courses that would enhance their understanding of their cultural heritage and rich cultural and literary traditions. These courses have a service-learning component that will build your resume and provide key professional contacts.

There is also a Fast Track exam for heritage speakers through which students can earn credit for six hours and save a considerable amount in tuition.

Spring 2024 Courses

• SPAN 2123 Heritage Speakers I — MWF 8:35 a.m.
• SPAN 3123 Heritage Speakers II — MWF 8:35 a.m.
• SPAN 4123 Heritage Speakers III — MWF 11:50 a.m.

To consider their options in Spanish and for help finding the right level of courses to take, students can contact the advisers for Spanish heritage speakers, professors Luis Fernando Restrepo (lrestr@uark.edu), Manuel Olmedo Gobante  (molmedog@uark.edu) and Violeta Lorenzo Feliciano (violetal@uark.edu).