The Modern Languages Department offers beginning, intermediate and advanced courses in Arabic, American Sign Language (ASL), Chinese (Mandarin), French and Spanish. Arabic, Chinese, French and Spanish are among the top ten most spoken languages in the U.S. and American Sign Language is the native language used by the Deaf community in the U.S. and parts of Canada. The primary objective of the Modern Languages Department is to teach language and culture at a level allowing one to communicate and interact with the community appropriately. Instruction emphasizes communication and cultural competency. The study of language may assist individuals seeking employment within, or in support of, various linguistic communities. Areas of employment benefitting from language and cultural competency may include Nursing, Human Services, Education, Business and Sales, and more. Students transferring for a Modern Language B.A. should consult a counselor regarding course requirements.


Degrees & Certificates

Click on a degree or certificate to learn more about the requirements, view program maps and more.

Courses

American Sign Language (ASL)

American Sign Language is the natural language of the Deaf community and is the foundation of Deaf Culture. American Sign Language is used by an estimated 2,500,000 members of the Deaf community in North America. American Sign Language is identified as a legitimate language with its own linguistic properties and grammar. American Sign Language courses are designed to help students develop level-appropriate linguistic, communicative, and cultural competence. Comprehension and expressive practice of American Sign Language occurs within culturally relevant contexts. San Bernardino Valley College offers first, second, third and fourth semester of American Sign Language courses, which are degree, CSU and UC applicable. For those seeking a career as an ASL interpreter, this coursework is the first step in transferring to an interpreter education program.

ASL 1094 Units
American Sign Language I

Lecture: 72 contact hours

In this course students develop communication skills in American Sign Language including the alphabet, basic vocabulary and grammar of ASL. Both receptive and expressive abilities are emphasized. Students review the characteristics of the deaf community and culture.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ASL 1104 Units
American Sign Language II

Lecture: 72 contact hours

Prerequisite: ASL109

The course is second in a series of four ASL courses designed for the student to develop proficiency in ASL usage. Students continue to develop basic conversational skills with emphasis on expanding vocabulary and comprehension/production skills. There are four basic categories: cultural awareness, grammatical features, vocabulary development, and conversational skills.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ASL 1114 Units
American Sign Language III

Lecture: 72 contact hours

Prerequisite: ASL110

Students continue to develop conversational skills in American Sign Language and expand their vocabulary and grammar of ASL. Students review primary issues in deaf culture and strengthen their understanding of deaf awareness. Emphasis is on idiomatic constructions as well as comprehension and production skills.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ASL 1124 Units
American Sign Language IV

Lecture: 72 contact hours

Prerequisite: ASL111

This course is designed to help students acquire communicative competency in American Sign Language, both comprehension and production skills within the contexts of literature and storytelling. Emphasis is on cultural awareness, grammatical features, vocabulary development, and conversational skills.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ASL 1203 Units
Introduction to Deaf Studies

Lecture: 54 contact hours

This course explores and develops the awareness of the linguistic, social, educational, and cultural experiences/perspectives of the Deaf community and the deaf, hard of hearing, Deaf/Blind, and latened deaf in North America. The cultural values, characteristics, and social dynamics will be introduced and explored. Topics will be examined from historical and current day constructs. The experience and dynamics of a d/Deaf individual in America as a minority group, and double/minority will be discussed and explored.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

Arabic

Modern Arabic is an official United Nations language that is used across 22 countries with over 300 million native speakers. From Tangier to Cairo, and Sudan to Syria, this sacred language is the key to understanding the cultural and historical diversity of the Arabic world. The objectives of Arabic courses are level-appropriate linguistic competence and increased awareness of Arabic culture. Courses in Arabic include the study of essentials of pronunciation including the Arabic alphabet, symbols and sounds, vocabulary, idioms, and grammatical structures along with an introduction to the key social issues and culture of Arabic-speaking people. SBVC offers a first and second semester of Arabic language courses, which are degree, CSU and UC applicable.

ARAB 1015 Units
College Arabic I

Lecture: 90 contact hours

This course includes the study of essentials of pronunciation including the Arabic alphabet, symbols and sounds, vocabulary, idioms, and grammatical structures along with an introduction to the key social issues and culture of Arabic-speaking people. This course corresponds to two years of high school study.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

ARAB 1025 Units
College Arabic II

Lecture: 90 contact hours

Prerequisite: ARAB101

In this course students continue to develop the ability to converse, read and write in Arabic. The course includes the study of essentials of pronunciation, vocabulary, idioms, and grammatical structures along with an introduction to the key social issues and culture of Arabic speaking people.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

Chinese

Mandarin is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world currently spoken by nearly one-fifth of the world’s population. Because of its influence in diplomacy, Chinese has become one of the most requested languages after Spanish. Given its universality, Mandarin is a useful language in a global society and economy. SBVC offers a first and second semester of Mandarin Chinese language courses. Courses are designed to help students develop communicative and cultural competence. Students practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing Chinese in culturally relevant contexts. SBVC offers a first and second semester of Chinese Mandarin language courses, which are degree, CSU and UC applicable.

CHIN 1015 Units
College Mandarin Chinese I

Lecture: 90 contact hours

In this course students develop four major linguistic skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Chinese at the beginning level. The course includes the study of essentials of pronunciation, vocabulary and grammatical patterns along with an introduction to the Chinese history, culture, and the geography of the Chinese speaking world.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

CHIN 1025 Units
College Mandarin Chinese II

Lecture: 90 contact hours

Prerequisite: CHIN101

In this course students will continue to develop four major linguistic skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing in Mandarin Chinese at the beginning/intermediate level. The course includes the study of essentials of pronunciation, vocabulary and grammatical patterns and expands upon the history, culture, and the geography of the Chinese speaking world.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

French

Modern French is spoken in 29 countries, covering five continents, an honor shared only with English. A language of philosophy, political revolution, and romance, it is the source of considerable pride for over 275 million native speakers. Because of its political and economic strengths, French is the third most widely used language on the Internet. The objectives of French courses are level-appropriate linguistic competence and increased awareness of Francophone culture. SBVC offers a first and second semester of French language courses, which are degree, CSU and UC applicable.

FRENCH 1015 Units
College French I

Lecture: 90 contact hours

In this course students develop the ability to converse, read and write in French. The course includes the study of essentials of pronunciation, vocabulary, idioms and grammatical structures along with an introduction to the culture of French-speaking peoples. This course corresponds to two years of high school study.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

FRENCH 1025 Units
College French II

Lecture: 90 contact hours

Prerequisite: FRENCH101

This course provides students the opportunity to continue to develop conversational, reading and writing skills in French with special emphasis on past tense verbs, grammar, vocabulary expansion and cultural applications of the French language.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

Spanish

Spanish is the language of 560 million people around the world. It is a culturally rich and historically significant language, the use of which spans no less than 3 continents and 20+ countries. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States, and it is the dominant language in many neighboring countries in the Western Hemisphere. The objectives of Spanish courses are level-appropriate linguistic competence and increased awareness of Hispanic culture. Classroom methods incorporate critical thinking and the direct oral approach. Assignments are based on lectures, reading, presentations and individual research. Activities may include homework, workbooks, journals, documentaries, movies, compositions, presentations, interviews, cultural discussions, etc.

The Spanish AA-T is a great first, or second major because fluency is a valuable skill in most professional fields. Advanced Spanish courses are divided into Spanish for Learners and Spanish for Heritage Speakers. Language courses are taken for personal or professional reasons, and/or to meet foreign language degree requirements including the SBVC AA-T degree for Spanish. All courses are transfer level and articulated with CSU/UC systems.

SPAN 1015 Units
College Spanish I

Lecture: 90 contact hours

In this course students will develop the ability to converse, read, and write in Spanish at a basic level. The course includes the study of essentials of pronunciation, vocabulary, idioms and grammatical structures along with an introduction to the cultures of Spanish speaking countries. This course corresponds to the first two years of high school study.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

C-ID: SPAN 100

SPAN 101H5 Units
College Spanish I - Honors

Lecture: 90 contact hours

Advisory: ENGL101 or ENGL101H

In this course students will develop the ability to converse, read, and write in Spanish at a basic level. The course includes the study of essentials of pronunciation, vocabulary, idioms and grammatical structures along with an introduction to the cultures of Spanish speaking countries. This course corresponds to the first two years of high school study. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program, but it is open to all students who desire more challenging course work.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

C-ID: SPAN 100

SPAN 1025 Units
College Spanish II

Lecture: 90 contact hours

Prerequisite: SPAN101 or SPAN101H

In this course students continue to develop conversational, reading and writing skills in Spanish with emphasis on past tense verbs, grammar, vocabulary expansion and the culture of Spanish speaking countries.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

C-ID: SPAN 110

SPAN 102H5 Units
College Spanish II - Honors

Lecture: 90 contact hours

Prerequisite: SPAN101 or SPAN101H

In this course students continue to develop conversational, reading and writing skills in Spanish with emphasis on past tense verbs, grammar, vocabulary expansion and the culture of Spanish speaking countries. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program but is open to all students who desire more challenging course work.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

C-ID: SPAN 110

SPAN 1034 Units
College Spanish III

Lecture: 72 contact hours

Prerequisite: SPAN102 or SPAN102H

In this intermediate level course students develop complex conversational, reading and writing skills, with emphasis on the subjunctive and hypothetical situations. This course expands vocabulary in the Spanish language and awareness of Hispanic culture.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

C-ID: SPAN 200

SPAN 103H4 Units
College Spanish III - Honors

Lecture: 72 contact hours

Prerequisite: SPAN102 or SPAN102H

In this intermediate level course students develop complex conversational, reading and writing skills, with emphasis on the subjunctive and hypothetical situations. This course expands vocabulary in the Spanish language and awareness of Hispanic culture. This course is intended for students in the Honors Program but is open to all students who desire more challenging coursework.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

C-ID: SPAN 200

SPAN 1044 Units
College Spanish IV

Lecture: 72 contact hours

Prerequisite: SPAN103 or SPAN103H or SPAN157

This course develops language skills through reading, discussion, analysis, and writing about culturally representative works from Spain and Latin America. Emphasis is on composition and literature as an expression of culture.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

C-ID: SPAN 210

SPAN 1574 Units
Spanish for Heritage Speakers I

Lecture: 72 contact hours

Advisory: SPAN102 or SPAN102H

This course is intended for students with native or near-native proficiency in spoken Spanish. Reading and writing standard literary Spanish is emphasized. Students will develop an increased understanding of academic vocabulary, grammar, orthography, and punctuation. Oral proficiency will also be strengthened. Analyzing and discussing topical, cultural and historically significant texts will allow students to increase cultural awareness of the Spanish-speaking world and to sharpen critical thinking skills. The course is conducted in Spanish.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

C-ID: SPAN 220

SPAN 1584 Units
Spanish for Heritage Speakers II

Lecture: 72 contact hours

Prerequisite: SPAN157

This course is designed for students who already communicate in Spanish and who want to develop and strengthen reading and writing skills with special emphasis on vocabulary expansion, through reading, discussion, and analysis of culturally representative works from Spain and Latin America. Emphasis is on correct usage of standard Spanish. Course is conducted primarily in Spanish, producing skills equivalent to Spanish 104.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

C-ID: SPAN 230