World Languages
¡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
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.
Spanish
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.
Bryndy Juárez
CBC Spanish Language Student
“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.
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 |
|
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 |
|
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.
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.
Spanish Medical Interpreting 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.
