Foreign Language Department

Location: Arts 202, Ocean (Main) Campus

Phone: 415-239-3223

Mailbox: A99

Department Chair: Dr. Thomas Blair

The Foreign Language Department at the City College of San Francisco offers a variety of courses in the following languages: American Sign Language, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Pilipino, Russian, and Spanish.  All are transferable to the California State system and many are transferable to the University of California system.  Our foreign language instructors are experienced, enthusiastic, and dedicated to helping you learn both language and culture.

The Foreign Language Department’s course selection features up-to-date, web-enhanced textbook materials that prepare you to function in the language from day one and page one.  Degrees (A.A.) are available in Chinese (Mandarin), French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish.  Click here to access the catalog index for AA degree requirements.   Whether you’re taking a grammar-communication-based course or a conversation class, the Language Center in the main campus library has multiple options for supplementing and enhancing your language learning: an iMac digital audio lab, high-speed internet access for web-based activities, and a varied collection of DVDs, videos, and CD-Roms.  

Are you are taking a class off the main campus?  The online language lab provides audio material for all textbooks and is password-accessible anywhere you have an internet connection.  Take a placement test if you’re coming back to brush up your high school Chinese (Mandarin),  French, German, Japanese or Spanish to find the best level for you to begin or consult with an instructor for the other languages to find the class that is best for you.  You may also visit the Learning Assistance Center for tutoring in most languages.  Spanish and Russian heritage speakers may enroll in specifically tailored courses: Spanish 31 and Russian 21/22. 

First, check the online class schedule to determine the class that best fits your schedule: day or evening, 3 or 5 units, at the main Ocean campus, Downtown, CEV, Mission or MMS.  Submit your application online, add your course when you have your registration date, and pay your fees: $36.00 per credit unit plus a nominal health fee.  You can also just go to the first class meeting and ask your instructor if you can add the class.  Either way, it’s easy. 

So enroll in a CCSF language class in Fall or Spring and discover other cultures, make new friends, get transfer credit to a 4-year institution, enhance your resume, learn the language of your heritage, make your travel adventures more meaningful, or just be able to communicate better with people from other countries who live and work right here in San Francisco.