The Spanish scholar's about to be qualified (4)
I believe the answer is:
able
'be qualified' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'the spanish scholar's about' is the wordplay.
'the spanish' becomes 'el'.
'scholar' becomes 'ba'.
'about' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'el'+'ba'='elba'
'elba' written backwards gives 'ABLE'.
'to' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for able that I've seen before include "Capable or proficient" , "Fit as a seaman" , "Having considerable skill" , "... was I ere I saw Elba (palindrome)" , "Showing skill" .)