2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED]
Languages
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 Return to: Program, Degree and Certificate List
Dean: Brooke Bui, PhD
Academic Co-Chairs: Jeanne Egasse; Beatrice Tseng
Faculty: Joanne Chen; Jeanne Egasse; Keith Gamache; Fumiko Ishii; Anca Popescu, PhD; Beatrice Tseng
Courses
The department offers courses from beginning through intermediate level courses in American Sign Language, French, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish. All courses are designed to develop the student’s listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills, as well as to provide a general overview of civilization and culture. Curriculum in all languages includes lower-division courses that are fully transferable to a four-year college or university.
Major
Students who major in a language at the lower-division level concentrate on learning to understand, speak, read, and write. In the process, students develop a more profound understanding of the world and gain insights into its complexities-culturally, politically, economically, and socially. Language study expands the possibilities for your future career regardless of what that career is. While in many parts of the world you can get by with English, professional communication, even within the United States takes place in many languages. When you study another language you develop abilities that will expand the communities in which you can live and work
Students at Irvine Valley College may major in French, Japanese or Spanish and may take a full two years of Chinese and American Sign Language. Students may even choose to major in two or more languages and complete all requirements in two years. Please consult with the Languages Department for details.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
American Sign Language
Upon completion of the American Sign Language program, students will be able to
- Identify and use ASL manual alphabet.
- Analyze and interpret meaning of narrative passage in ASL based on the topics in the course outline of record.
- Compose and perform a narrative using conceptually accurate ASL.
Chinese
Upon completion of the Chinese program, students will be able to
- Listen and comprehend a passage in the target language in a variety of contexts and formats.
- Write clearly and accurately in a variety of contexts and formats in the target language.
- Read and comprehend a passage in the target language from a variety of contexts and formats.
- Speak clearly and accurately in both formal and informal settings in the target language.
- Demonstrate awareness of cultural conventions.
French
Upon completion of the French program, students will be able to
- Interpret a passage of native spoken French in a variety of contexts and formats.
- Read and interpret written material in French of at least six paragraphs.
- Write a four-paragraph essay in French, clearly and accurately, in a variety of contexts and formats.
Japanese
Upon completion of the Japanese program, students will be able to
- Communicate with native speakers of Japanese using appropriate language, styles, sensitivity and level of respectfulness for various situations.
- Read and write Japanese symbols clearly and accurately in a variety of contexts and formats.
- Demonstrate knowledge of Japanese society, culture and history, and will be able to analyze and discuss cultural differences and similarities.
Spanish
Upon completion of the Spanish program, students will be able to
- Interpret native spoken Spanish in a variety of contexts and formats.
- Use grammar effectively to communicate with native speakers.
- Read and interpret written material of at least six paragraphs in length.
- Write a clear and accurate four-paragraph essay in Spanish, in a variety of contexts.
Potential Careers
Many students who major in foreign languages choose a teaching career. This continues to be a great option, given the shortage of well-qualified teachers, especially in the areas of bilingual and bicultural education. And in an increasingly economically interdependent world, market globalization has opened up many new and exciting opportunities for foreign language majors in areas such as the following:
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Classroom Aide
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Communications*
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Emergency Response
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Foreign Service (NSA, State Department)*
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Healthcare*
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Hospitality and Tourism
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International Business and Banking*
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Journalism*
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Law Enforcement
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Marketing and Sales*
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Military Linguist*
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National Security (FBI, CIA)*
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Peace Corps/Humanitarian Organizations
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Publishing and Editing*
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Social Work*
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Translation and Interpreting*
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Transportation and Travel
*Careers that require further education
In combination with other areas of study, the world languages major provides a very strong preparation for professional schools such as business, law, and diplomacy.
ProgramsAssociate in ArtsAssociate in Arts for Transfer
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