Francisco Solares - Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL

Professor: Francisco Solares

Department: Languages

College: Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FLSP320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

While this instructor is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about what he teaches, he lacks in more areas. Constantly goes off on tangents in class & students lose focus, does not give feedback on tests & does not inform students about what will be on exams. He doesnt give study guides, have test review days or practice test terms. GOOD LUCK.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FLSP362
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Sometimes he goes off on tangents that aren't necessarily related to the topic. We watched a lot of movies in this class that went along with the course readings. At times, it felt like he was winging it through the lectures. However, he gives good reviews for quizzes and exams. I would definitely take him again.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FLSP362
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Solares is a nice man, but he tends to go on rants and is quite disorganized. He truly does care about education and he loves teaching, which you can tell by his enthusiasm for the subject. His classes aren't awful, but I think they could be a lot better.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FLSP311
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Solares is a nice man, but not a great conversation teacher. He speaks more than the students which isn't great, especially in a conversation class. He comments on students, and I saw them to be rude and unnecessary. Can come off as rude, but I know he does have our interests at heart.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FLSP301
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Although his test are tough, you just need to study. He does like to rant on a lot about the way native speakers speak the language, but otherwise it isn't a horrible class. No book! It wasn't really needed though

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FLSP301
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He knows what he is teaching and is really passionate about the subject. The only downfall to his class is that the test were really hard, but along as you go to class and pay attention you should pass.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FLSP311
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Very nice and approachable man. However, the class became somewhat of a waste of time after a while. A lot of the time the class wasn't really so much of a conversationdialogue as it was him going on a tangent in Spanish about something completely irrelevant. However, the class is absolutely passable. You give yourself your own participation grade

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FLSP302
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I love Francisco as a professor. He is very interested in the topics and is very helpful if you have questions. Yes sometimes he is a little spacey but overall he is a great guy. I have taken his classes the past 3 semesters for a reason. Pay attention and do the work and you WILL pass. Also took 320 and 322 with him. Easy exams if you study a bit.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FLSP411
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's a nice guy, but we were often confused about what he wanted. Very little organization or structure. Confused me in Spanish and in English. Often changed his mind about things within minutes. Nice, but absent minded.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FLSP211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Very easy class and great teacher! I love Profesor Solares!!!!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: FLSP301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME teacher!!! I took this class over the summer during study abroad and it was fantastic. I already love grammar, but he made it even more fun for me! I would highly recommend Profesor Solares to anyone with an interest in the Spanish language and a desire to learn! :)

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FLSP211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Great professor. His class was comfortable and I learned a lot. He was probably one of the most helpful, understanding, and personable professors that I've ever had. I highly recommend taking his classes.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: FLSP211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He was a good teacher, for this class and for the 301 (grammar) class that I had him for. He was a scatter brain, but he knew his stuff and encouraged you to talk, even if you made mistakes. Overall, a good teacher. I would take him again, given the opportunity.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FLSP211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I had solares for intermediate conversation. He was a very good teacher. He always encouraged you to speak spanish no matter what, and he always stressed that it was not a grammar class and everyone was going to make mistakes. If you participated, you did well!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: FLSP451
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is an absolutely wonderful professor! He is very enthusiastic about teaching Spanish and is EXTREMELY helpful. I found that class participation and asking for help when needed is the key to success in his classes. I highly recommend taking Professor Solares-Larrave for any Spanish courses you need to take! You won't regret it!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: FLSP202
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This guy seemed great at first, but he never implemented an attendance policy. After people stopped going, he started getting mad at the class. I think he silently started taking off points for those who didn't go all the time. There is just no other way to explain how I failed after never getting a paper/test back lower than a C...

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: FLSP301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Solares is a really good teacher. He is interested in and good at teaching grammar (which is hard to find!!) and always helpful. Our class didn't use a book too which was totally cool. I'd take him again! But he does speak all in Spanish and quickly sometimes, and his tests are a little in depth.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: FLSP301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I knew I was going to love this guy after the first day. He shows such an enthusiasm for the subject he teaches and teaching in general. You can't help but learn from him. He is willing to stop and explain something in English if needed. Only drawback is that he talks pretty fast sometimes.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I've had Solares a couple times because he is such a great teacher. No matter what goes on in class he'll always stop to clarify or explain. I highly reccommend him.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: FLSP322
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I have taken Solares more than once and he is my favorite professor at NIU. He is so helpful and loves what he teaches (which is important). Never be afraid to email this man with a question because he will help you. You will have a lot of work but he is fair when he grades it.