World Languages

French, Japanese and Spanish

¡Hola! こんにちは! Bonjour!

At CBC, the study of World Languages can serve as the foundation for many careers. Whether you are a complete beginner, have some experience or are already fluent, we have a class for you!

 World Languages might be for you if:
  • You want to be more competitive in the job market.
  • You plan to work with diverse communities.
  • You want to enhance your cultural awareness.
  • You like to socialize and make new friends.
  • You like music!
  • You want to enhance your creative expression.

The Department of World Languages at CBC currently offers programs in French, Japanese and Spanish. We are committed to providing language and cultural instruction to enhance your studies, travel experiences, and professional growth. Our World Languages Department believes that students with an international understanding of culture, coupled with competency in a second language, will be better equipped to meet the professional challenges of the 21st century. We accomplish this by using a communicative approach, through the use of media and technology, strategic student placement and textbook selections.

World Language Program Highlights

 



Japanese

image of students in Japanese class

Japanese courses offer student-centered instruction that focus on communicating effectively in Japanese, appreciating the Japanese culture and recognizing linguistic and cultural connections between Japanese-speaking parts of the world and the United States.

The Japanese program prepares students to enter a four-year university and continue their study of the language by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Japanese Cultural Exchange
Twice a year, students have an opportunity for cultural exchange with students from the Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute.

  • November: the Japanese students come to CBC to share presentations.
  • Spring: CBC students visit Mukogawa students in Spokane sharing activities and delicious food.

The students create life-long friends with each other.


japanese event


 



Spanish

image of students and instructor in Spanish class

With first-year, second-year, Spanish for Spanish speakers and the Spanish Medical Interpreter Program, we offer classes for every level. See the course tab for all your options.

“Taking the Spanish for Native Speakers series was such an enriching experience for me. I was looking to improve my Spanish skills with a class that was more at my level. The other classes offered were too easy for me, and although I did learn a few things, they weren’t helping me reach the proficiency I desired. Professor Barboza does an amazing job adding to the knowledge that most heritage speakers already have of the language by giving them a deeper understanding of it. She helped me achieve a proficiency I never even thought was possible in just one academic year. In addition to being an amazing Professor, she is also a great person to talk to and really cares about helping her students grow. The only thing I would change about my experience is take her class sooner! I want to graduate from the Spanish Medical Interpreter Program in 2024”

Spanish Placement Process

Start here!

There are guidelines for both non-Spanish speakers and Spanish speakers to help you determine which course best suits your level. If your experience is beyond SPAN&121, take the placement test (WebCAPE) which will help determine which Spanish course is right for you.

This online test is only for those with prior Spanish knowledge and takes about 15 minutes to complete. Instructors require the placement test (WebCAPE) score to grant students permission to enroll in courses above SPAN&121. Heritage and Spanish speakers may enroll in SPAN 205 without taking the placement test or a prerequisite override entry code.

Fill out the Prerequisite Override Request form to enroll in courses above SPAN&121 and include the specific course registration number and section. The form can be found under Student Forms and at Hawk Central.  Email your completed form to the instructor to sign prior to the fourth day of the quarter.

Placement Guidelines for Non-Spanish Speakers
 My Experience
Appropriate CBC Class
Skills and knowledge to have before taking this class
  • No formal study, or
  • Limited success in past coursework (C or D’s) or
  • If you took Spanish over two years ago.
SPAN&121 Recommended prerequisite: successful completion of at least ENGL 099.
One year of high school Spanish with a grade of B or above.  SPAN&122

Basic Spanish proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension in the present tense.

Two years of high school Spanish with a B or above SPAN&123

Basic to intermediate Spanish proficiency in speaking, reading, writing and listening comprehension in the present tense.

Three years of high school Spanish with a B or above SPAN& 221, 222 or 223 Intermediate Spanish proficiency in speaking, reading, writing and listening comprehension in the present and past tenses.
Travel, mission, volunteer and/or limited study abroad experience with basic conversational ability. SPAN&121 Recommended prerequisite: successful completion of at least ENGL 099.

Study abroad experience in a Spanish-speaking country for a year or more.

SPAN 205 Recommended prerequisite: successful completion of at least ENGL 099.

Placement Guidelines for Spanish Speakers
My Experience
Appropriate CBC Class
Skills and knowledge to have before taking this class
Learned Spanish in the home as a child SPAN 205  
Learned Spanish in the home and/or attended school in a Spanish-speaking country. SPAN 205, 206 or 207
  • Prerequisite for SPAN 206: SPAN 205 or instructor permission.
  • Prerequisite for SPAN 207: SPAN 206 or instructor permission.

 

Placement Test (WebCAPE)

WebCAPE is an online test available to students who have prior Spanish language knowledge to make sure they are properly placed in the correct course level. Email the School%20of%20Arts%2C%20Humanities%20%26%20Communication too request a link to take the test.  Note: you must be a current CBC student and use your student email address when sending the request.

Heritage and Spanish speakers may enroll in SPAN 205 without taking the placement test or a prerequisite override entry code.

What does my score mean?               

Instructors require your WebCAPE score in order to provide you permission to take classes above SPAN&121. Email your test score to the instructor of the course you placed into along with a completed Prerequisite Override Request form to enroll in courses above SPAN&121 and include the specific course registration number and section. The form can be found under Student Forms and at Hawk Central.

WebCAPE scores:
  • 0 to 269: Register in SPAN& 121.
  • 270 to 345: Register in SPAN& 122, or 123.  
  • 346 to 427: Register in SPAN& 221, 222 or 223.
  • 427 and above: Register in SPAN 205, 206 or 207.

 


 

Prior Learning Credit via Course

While there is no course challenge exam that grants credits in World Languages, students who begin their language study at CBC at the 122 level or higher are eligible to receive up to five prior learning credits using CBC’s Course Challenge Form. There is currently a $125.00 charge for these course challenge credits. A student who completes the checklist below earns credit for the course prior to that taken. The recommended course sequence for beginning language learners in the first year is 121, 122, 123 and in second year is 221, 222, 223.

Prior Learning Credit Process

Prior to the intended quarter of enrollment, take the WebCAPE language placement exam to determine your most appropriate language level. You can also consult with an instructor in the CBC World Language Department for additional help. Also refer to the Spanish Placement Guidelines for guidance in Spanish language courses.

Spanish 205 is expressly for native Spanish speakers and does not require a placement exam or prerequisite class. Students starting at SPAN 205 earn prior learning credits for SPAN&123.

Complete one quarter of language at CBC beginning at the 122 or higher with a final grade of 2.6 or better.

The grade you earn in the class you enroll in and complete will be the designated grade for the course that you are challenging.

The Course Challenge Request Form is a fillable PDF form.  It can be found on the Academic Credit for Prior Learning  page under the 'Course Challenge' tab. 

You may submit the eform prior to the end of the quarter. However, the department provides final approval after the quarter has concluded and final grades have been posted.

Fill out Section 1 of the Course Challenge Request eform by accessing your transcript on MyCBC Kiosk to get the course quarter and GPA

On the “I have gained experience and knowledge for this examination by” line, include the course you completed, its four-digit registration line number, the year and quarter you took this course, the final GPA you earned, and indicate that you are using the World Languages Prior Learning Credits process. 

Electronically sign and date the Course Challenge Request form, then email it to either your instructor or to Antonio%20Cruz for departmental approval in Section 2.

When the Course Challenge Request form is returned to you for Section 3, pay the non-refundable fee to Hawk Central.

Email both the Course Challenge Request form and your receipt of payment to either your instructor or to Antonio%20Cruz for departmental approval in Section 4.

They will forward it on to Student Records for processing.

Examples

A student has had two years of high school French. The placement test (WebCAPE) or a CBC French instructor determines that the student should enroll in FRCH&122. Upon completing FRCH&122 with a 2.6 GPA grade (the minimum grade required challenging a course), the student earns five credits for FRCH&122 and may request and receive five additional, prior learning credits for FRCH&121 with the same 2.6 GPA grade.

A student has some high school Spanish and spent a year as an exchange student in Peru. The placement test (WebCAPE) or a CBC Spanish instructor determines that the student should enroll in SPAN&221. Upon completing SPAN&221 with a 3.9 GPA, the student receives five credits for SPAN&221 and may request and receive 5 additional, prior learning credits for SPAN&123 with the same 3.9 GPA.

Spanish Medical Interpreting Program

image of Spanish Medical Interpreter Program

Spanish Medical interpreters are sought after in every community. They work with patients who speak limited English to help them communicate with medical staff. This one-year program helps students learn terminology, gain experience and prepares for certification testing.

Learn More

Careers in World Languages

Among current employer outlook trends in the United States, individuals with bilingual skills will have a clear advantage in an increasingly competitive labor market. More employers are inclined to hire bilingual candidates when two equally qualified candidates are competing for one job. In other words, employees who have language and cultural diversity as part of their skillset enjoy a competitive edge and can help their respective businesses and organizations thrive in a multicultural world.

Language skills are valuable in a variety of fields, and can help you find jobs such as:

  • Advertising, marketing and public relations
  • Agriculture industry
  • Attorney services
  • Childcare and senior care provider
  • Counseling
  • Creative writing
  • Customer service and personnel management
  • Customs and immigration
  • Education/bilingual education/para-educators/tutoring in middle school, high school and college
  • English Language Acquisition (ELA) or English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor and tutor               
  • Foreign Services Officer
  • Health and Social Services
  • Human Resources
  • Intelligence (CIA, FBI, National Security)
  • International business, banking and finance
  • International Relations
  • Interpretation in healthcare and legal services professions
  • Journalism, publishing and editing
  • Law enforcement and EMT first responders
  • Liaison Officer
  • Linguistics
  • Literature
  • Military Service and National Security
  • Music, film, drama, entertainment, photography and social media
  • Outreach and advocacy
  • Peace Corps and aid agencies
  • Politics, civics, public service and advocacy
  • Project management
  • Research
  • Restaurant and Food Industry
  • Science, engineering and technology
  • Social worker
  • Speech Language Pathologist
  • Translation Services
  • Travel, tourism and hospitality

 

Are you ready for a fun and challenging learning experience? The Department of World Languages at CBC has dedicated faculty who possess an invaluable amount of teaching experience and knowledge with which to prepare students with educational and career opportunities in languages in the United States and abroad.

Full-Time Faculty

Courses Taught:  First-Year Spanish and Spanish for Spanish Speakers

Spanish Club Advisor

Contact me!

Courses Taught: First and Second-Year Spanish

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Club Advisor

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Courses Taught: Spanish and Spanish Medical Interpreting

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Adjunct Faculty

Courses Taught: First-Year Spanish

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Courses Taught: First and Second-Year Japanese

Japanese Club Advisor

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image of students in Spanish class