2023-2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED]
Languages
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 Return to: Program, Degree, and Certificate List
Dean: Brooke Bui, PhD
Academic Chair: Beatrice Tseng
Faculty: Joanne Chen; Keith Gamache, PhD; Anca Popescu, PhD; Takeshi Takakura; Beatrice Tseng
Courses
The Languages Department offers courses from beginning through intermediate level courses in American Sign Language (ASL), Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish. Honors courses are offered in French, Japanese and Spanish. All languages are taught communicatively and in the language. Students use the new language in class when participating in activities that promote real life communication. In Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish, students acquire competence in speaking, listening, reading and writing as well as cultural awareness. In ASL, students acquire expressive and receptive communicative skills and learn important aspects of Deaf culture. Additionally, there are courses taught in English on American Deaf Culture, Japanese Culture and Japanese Anime and Manga. These language courses are fully transferable to four-year colleges and universities.
Major
Students who major in a language at the lower-division level concentrate on learning to understand, speak, read, and write, and sign in ASL. 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. 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. Additionally, students who complete a language program will gain valuable insights into the process of language learning, empowering them to pursue future language study.
Students at Irvine Valley College may major in ASL, Chinese, French, Japanese or Spanish. Students may even choose to major in two or more languages and complete all requirements in two years. Please consult with a counselor for details.
For more information about the Languages Department, including language learning tips, events and activities, student testimonials and much more, please visit its website at ivc.edu/dept/llr/languages-department.
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:
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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 TransferCertificate of Achievement
Return to: Program, Degree, and Certificate List
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