Spanish
14 courses · Gavilan College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
SPAN 1A Elementary Spanish
- Units
- 5
- C-ID
- SPAN 100
Beginning course with emphasis on understanding and speaking Spanish; introduction to reading and writing Spanish. This course will also introduce students to Hispanic culture and institutions. This course has the option of a letter grade or pass/no pass. (C-ID: SPAN 100)
SPAN 1B Elementary Spanish
- Units
- 5
- Prerequisite
- Spanish 1A or equivalent
Continuation of Spanish 1A. Further development of the four skills of understanding, speaking, reading and writing Spanish. This course will continue to emphasize the study of Hispanic culture and institutions. This course has the option of a letter grade or pass/no pass. PREREQUISITE: Spanish 1A or equivalent.
SPAN 2A Intermediate Spanish
- Units
- 5
- Prerequisite
- Spanish 1B or equivalent
This course teaches culture and facilitates language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will continue to interact with authentic language in context. Content is expanded beyond "survival" needs of the immediate environment in order to express personal meaning and to apply different strategies and techniques to go beyond casual conversation and express opinions, make suggestions on familiar topics, as well as some abstract issues and plans. Students demonstrate an increased awareness of cultural norms, values, and culturally relevant appropriate customs and events. Accuracy becomes quite high for high frequency structures and vocabulary but more complex discourse is still developing and requires a somewhat sympathetic listener or reader. Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically by analyzing linguistic structures and reflecting on and making cross-cultural comparisons. This course is taught primarily in Spanish. This course has the option of a letter grade or pass/no pass. PREREQUISITE: Spanish 1B or equivalent.
SPAN 2B Intermediate Spanish
- Units
- 5
- Prerequisite
- Spanish 2A or equivalent
- C-ID
- SPAN 210
This course continues to expand upon culture and facilitate language acquisition through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students will interact with more sophisticated authentic language in context. Content continues to expand in order to express more complex ideas, in order to express personal meaning and to apply different strategies and techniques to go beyond casual conversation and express opinions, make suggestions on familiar topics, as well as some abstract issues and plans. Students demonstrate an increased awareness of cultural norms, values, and culturally relevant appropriate customs and events. Accuracy becomes quite high and for high frequency structures and vocabulary but more complex discourse is still developing and requires a somewhat sympathetic listener or reader. Students will continue to demonstrate the ability to think critically by analyzing linguistic structures and reflecting on making cross-cultural comparisons. This course is taught primarily in Spanish. This course has the option of a letter grade or pass/no pass. PREREQUISITE: Spanish 2A or equivalent.(C-ID SPAN 210)
SPAN 8A Conversational Spanish
- Units
- 3
This course is a beginning Spanish course, focusing on the Spanish sound system, basic grammar and vocabulary, and cultural elements. Although emphasis is on listening and speaking, basic reading and writing skills will be developed. This course has the option of a letter grade or pass/no pass.
SPAN 8B Conversational Spanish
- Units
- 3
- Advisory
- Spanish 8A or equivalent
This course requires knowledge of Spanish pronunciation, basic vocabulary, and present tense grammar. More advanced grammar and vocabulary, and cultural elements will be taught in the development of listening, speaking, basic reading and writing skills. This course has the option of a letter grade or pass/no pass. ADVISORY: Spanish 8A or equivalent.
SPAN 8C Conversational Spanish
- Units
- 3
Students will demonstrate knowledge of basic Spanish vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar skills dealing with subjunctive using nouns, adjectives, and adverbial clauses. Students will also learn to form and use the future and conditional tenses.
SPAN 8D Conversational Spanish
- Units
- 3
- Advisory
- Spanish 8C or equivalent
This course requires fluency in spoken and written Spanish. Advanced grammar and vocabulary will be presented while the course concentrates on polishing the student's oral and written skills and develops a sense of style. ADVISORY: Spanish 8C or equivalent.
SPAN 12A Spanish for Spanish Speakers
- Units
- 5
- Prerequisite
- Spanish 1B or equivalent. : 3 years of High School Spanish with grades of B or better, 2 years of Native Speakers High School Spanish, or Instructor assessment
- C-ID
- SPAN 220
This course is designed for heritage speakers of Spanish or other linguistically qualified students. It provides instruction that builds upon the existing reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and the cultural heritage and knowledge of these students. The course will increase awareness of linguistic registers, discuss items beyond the familiar routine and develop an appreciation for Hispanic culture as manifested in Spanish-speaking countries and in the United States. This course is taught entirely in Spanish. PREREQUISITE: Spanish 1B or equivalent. (C-ID SPAN 220) : 3 years of High School Spanish with grades of B or better, 2 years of Native Speakers High School Spanish, or Instructor assessment.
SPAN 12B Spanish for Spanish Speakers
- Units
- 5
- Prerequisite
- Spanish 12A or equivalent
- C-ID
- SPAN 230
This course continues to provide instruction that builds upon the existing reading, writing, speaking and listening skills and cultural heritage and knowledge of these students. The course will continue to increase awareness of linguistic registers, discuss items beyond the familiar routine and expand upon their appreciation for Hispanic cultures as manifested in Spanish speaking countries and in the United States. This course has the option of a letter grade or pass/no pass. PREREQUISITE: Spanish 12A or equivalent. (C-ID SPAN 230)
SPAN 22 Field Work and Service
- Units
- 0.5-1
Supervised field work within the College and with local agencies. Students serve in useful group activities in leadership roles prescribed for them by faculty or community agencies. A maximum of six units may be completed. Learning contracts must be filled out and signed by the student and the supervising instructor. This is a pass/no pass course. REQUIRED: Learning contracts must be filled out and signed by the student and the supervising instructor.
SPAN 23 Independent Study
- Units
- 1-2
Designed to afford selected students specialized opportunities for exploring areas at the independent study level. The courses may involve extensive library work, research in the community, or special projects. May be repeated until six units of credit are accrued. This course has the option of a letter grade or pass/no pass. REQUIRED: The study outline prepared by the student and the instructor must be filed with the department and the dean.
SPAN 98 Special Topics
- Units
- 0.5-3
Special topics courses examine current problems or issues of interest to students within a specific discipline area. For topical content information, consult with the appropriate department chairperson. For transfer status, check with a counselor. May be repeated for credit with different topics. This course may have the option of a letter grade or pass/no pass.
SPAN 701 Spanish for Health Professionals
- Units
- 0
Spanish for Health Professionals is a streamlined course which allows the student to master enough Spanish to survive in the healthcare field without loading them down with translation exercises. Vocabulary, grammar examples, practice activities and cultural topics are incorporated to relate to the occupational theme of nursing and healthcare. Students will practice communicative survival, using key vocabulary essentials to enable them to utilize their Spanish in the daily work situation, improving their ability to interact with their clients.