Spanish, one of the most widely spoken languages globally, offers manifold advantages. Learning Spanish opens up around the world, including the United States where around 13% of the population speaks Spanish. It’s particularly valuable in international business, given the economic growth of Spanish-speaking countries, and it provides a gateway to a rich cultural heritage, including literature, music, and film. Its relative ease of learning for English speakers makes it an accessible and practical choice for expanding personal and professional opportunities.
At Carleton we offer:
- Spanish language courses that span from the elementary to advanced levels taught by passionate and enthusiastic instructors
- Exciting upper-level courses like, “On Cannibals, Witches, and Zombies”, “Indigeneity and Gender in Latin America”, and “Racism, Immigration, and Gender in Contemporary Latin American Narrative”
- A major and a minor in Spanish
- A major and a minor in Latin American Studies
- Exciting opportunities for off-campus study programs like the “Spanish in Madrid” program and the “Social Justice and Cultural Immersion in Mexico” program
To learn more about Spanish at Carleton, visit the websites for the Spanish Department and Latin American Studies!
Spanish Placement Testing
The Spanish placement test is conducted online (link below). The deadline to complete the test is July 15, 2026 for incoming first year students (class of 2030).
After completing the test, it will either indicate which level of Spanish you should take (SPAN 101, 102, 103 or 204), or it will show a score of TBA. If you receive a score of TBA, you will then be required to take an in-person proctored exam on campus during New Student Week. You will be contacted in late August with further instructions. The exact time and date of the in-person exam will be found on the New Student Week site. Only students who receive a TBA or have permission from the department will be permitted to take the in-person exam.
Placement scores are not a suggestion, but rather a clear indication of the course you should take based on your level. Note that SPAN 101 is offered every Fall, SPAN 102 is offered every Winter, and SPAN 103 is offered in the Spring. SPAN 204 is offered in the Fall with one or two sections in the Winter. If you received a score of 4 or 5 on an AP Spanish language or literature examination or a 6 or 7 on a higher-level IB examination, you do not need to take the Carleton placement exam, and you have completed the basic language requirement. If you would like to continue taking Spanish courses at Carleton, you should register for courses numbering above SPAN 204.
Link to online Language Placement Test for Spanish
Questions? Please reach out to Vera Coleman (Spanish Language Program Director)