CCSF Foreign Language Department - News and Notes

The Language Center Will Open on Thursday, January 26, 2012

2012-01-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

The Language Center will be moving up! Upstairs, that is, to R-403, with a planned opening on Thursday, January 26 at 8:00 a.m. The new facility will be streamlined but rest assured, the Language Center faculty and staff will continue with their commitment to serve and assist all students taking credit foreign language classes at CCSF. In the meantime, students can access the audio material that accompanies their texts via the online language lab. Ask your instructor for the user name and password or call the Language Center at 452-5555 for more information.

Advisory Placement Testing for Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Japanese, and Spanish

2011-12-19T10:52:00.001-08:00

Students, did you know that if you have a previous background in Chinese, French, German, Japanese or Spanish, you may take an "Advisory placement test" to determine which course would be the best for you to enroll in. In addition, based on the result and after consultation with a test advisor,you may sign up to earn extra units based on the previous study. How does this work? For example, if the test and advisor recommend you enroll in German 2, you take that course and upon completion of German 2 with a grade of A or B, City College will award you units for both German 1 and 2 (5 units per course for a total of 10 units).

For details on the placement tests and the awarding of additional units, click on the appropriate link: Chinese (Mandarin)

For Chinese, please note: The score of the CPT is used for advisory purposes ONLY.

The CCSF Chinese Language Program does NOT issue any certification of Chinese language competency/proficiency based on the score of the CPT.

Students may NOT use the result of the CPT to fulfill any high school, college, or university course requirements.

Students may NOT use the result of the CPT for the purpose of transferring to another college or university.

Students may NOT use the result of the CPT for the purpose of fulfilling job requirements.

The Chinese Placement Advisory test is administered in the Language Center; its Spring 2012 schedule will be announced here.

The French, German, and Spanish advisory placement tests may be taken wherever you have internet access, or you can use the Language Center facilities: French, German, Japanese, Spanish

Register Now for Spring 2012 and Get the Class You Prefer and/or Need!

2011-11-30T12:43:00.001-08:00

Students! Web registration for continuing students for Spring Semester 2012 started November 21st. Web registration for new or readmitted students is from December 7 - January 14. In person registration is January 8 - January 14. As of this post, the Summer Session will be reduced by 20%, so Spring 2012 may be your best option for taking the class you need: to complete your A.A., transfer or prepare for that long-awaited trip abroad. Click here for daytime foreign language classes, and here for evening and Saturday classes. At $36 per unit, a three- or five- unit class at CCSF is a real education value! Those language classes are in the 9 credit-level languages taught at CCSF: ASL, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Pilipino, Russian, and Spanish.

Tutoring Available in the Learning Assistance Center - R-207

2011-09-07T10:47:00.000-07:00

Students, did you know that tutors are available in the Learning Assistance Center for ASL, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish? Click here to access the schedules. Tutors can be a valuable resource to supplement your language learning, especially when you've hit a "wall" with a new grammar concept or structure, or are reviewing material for a test, midterm or, even a final (!) and have some questions.

Fall 2011 - It's Not too Late to Add a Foreign Language Class

2011-08-31T14:51:00.000-07:00

Welome back, continuing students and welcome, new students to CCSF and the Foreign Language Department. It's not too late to add a foreign language class. Click here to go to the Foreign Language Department website, and on the right hand side you will see a list of still-open classes. Hurry, though, Friday, September 2 is the last day to add!

Fall 2011 - Classes Fill Up Quickly, So Register Now!

2011-05-25T13:41:00.000-07:00

Whether you're new to CCSF in the Fall or are a returning student, the CCSF Foreign Language Department has a foreign language to suit your schedule and your language-learning goals. Have you always wanted to learn Italian because you love all the Italian food available in the Bay Area? Do you need a foreign language as a transfer prerequisite? And, of course, there are those of you who started a courses, 1A or 1 in the Spring semester. How about ramping up those beginner skills with a continuation course? Whatever your motivation to take a foreign language class, check the schedule for fall (day)(evening)

Summer Session - 2011 - Sign Up Starting March 18

2011-03-16T13:49:00.001-07:00

The summer session is just around the corner, and classes fill up quickly, so enroll in your choice of foreign language class this summer and be prepared to take the next course level in the fall. You'll have that language requirement satisfied in no time! Evening classes will be at the Downtown Campus (4th and Mission), which is easily accessible by BART, MUNI, or, if you dare to drive, the campus is directly across from the 5th and Mission garage. Click here for the summer session schedule. Registration begins on Friday, March 18.

Grammar Workshop in the Language Center for Students of Spanish

2011-02-07T11:17:00.000-08:00

Are you a beginning student in a Spanish class at CCSF? Or a continuing student looking to refresh your memory regarding basic grammar concepts? Then the Language Center (R-205) has a short and sweet workshop for you. The workshop will cover basics such as: what is a noun, gender and number of nouns in Spanish, definite and indefinite articles, and gender and number of adjectives. So if this sounds like information you can use, drop by the Language Center Monday-Thursday, though February 23, at 2:10 and check in at the Service Desk. Any questions? Call 452-5555.

The Language Center (R-205) Welcomes All Students. Check It Out!

2010-12-10T09:23:00.000-08:00

Whether you're a first-time student at CCSF enrolled in a foreign language class, or a continuing/returning student, the Language Center offers a wide variety of resources for every language learner. These include audio materials on iMacs (with voice recording capabilities) for each textbook, high-speed internet access for foreign-language-related materials selected by faculty here at CCSF, as well as links to publishers' websites where you will find chapter-by-chapter materials, such as online flashcards and self-tests.

But wait, there's more! You'll find interactive, textbook-based CD-Roms for French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish, as well as CD-Roms for Mandarin (PinyinMaster, Critical Language Series), Cantonese (Critical Language Series, and Japanese (Power Japanese). There are writing programs installed on the PC's for French, Spanish, and Chinese, MS Word software enabled to create Russian, German, Japanese and Italian accent marks or characters. Rounding things out is a collection of DVDs and videos, most notably for French, Italian, and Spanish.

Faculty monitors with backgrounds in most of the languages taught at CCSF are here to answer your questions or refer you to the language tutors in the Learning Assistance Center, so schedule a regular visit to the Language Center this semester. You'll be glad you did!

The Spring 2011 Schedule for Foreign Languages is Now Available - Register Now!

2010-11-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

Are you planning to travel internationally this coming summer and want to learn some language basics to help you get around? Are you looking for transferable credit to a 4-year institution? Perhaps you are continuing your language studies from this semester? The CCSF Foreign Language Department offers a variety of classes to fit your language-learning needs: beginner, intermediate, conversation, continuation, credit, non-credit: there's something for everyone at a variety of campuses. Registration for Spring 2011 as already started, so check the schedule now and sign up. Classes fill up quickly!

Build a City of Languages - Test Your Knowledge With this Fun and Informative Online Game!

2010-10-13T10:39:00.000-07:00

Test your knowledge of world languages and learn something, too, with this fun online game from the Goethe Institute (in English)!

The Fall 2010 Class Schedule is Now Available! Enroll in Foreign Language Courses ASAP!

2010-04-26T11:51:00.001-07:00

Whether you're a new, continuing, or returning student, there's a foreign language course for you and you can find it in the Fall 2010 schedule. If you completed a 1A course this semester (Spring 2010), then a 1B course is for you. Do you prefer to focus on building conversational skills? Check out the offerings for 10 series classes. Are you a heritage speaker of Spanish, that is, do you have fluency in Spanish but no formal coursework? Then check out Spanish 31A. Heritage speakers of Russian can look into Russian 21A and B. There's something for everyone so enroll as soon as possible; these classes fill up quickly!

Take a Tour Before You Go!

2010-04-14T11:44:00.001-07:00

Now that you've put in all that hard work in your Spanish, German, French, Chinese, Italian, or Japanese class, you're all set to put your knowledge into action. Right? Take a short tour by using the drop-down menu. Check out France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South America, Spain, Mexico, Japan, Italy or someplace totally off the map and learn a bit about the culture before you go.

A Shanghai Celebration - Now at the Asian Art Museum

2010-02-22T11:34:00.000-08:00

If you are a student of Mandarin or Cantonese, or a fan of Chinese culture, then don't miss the Asian Art Museum's Shanghai-1850 to the Present, running from 2/12- 9/5/10 with exhibits ranging from "Beginnings", to "High Times-1920's", and don't forget the "Revolution" and finally Shanghai today. Check out the full calendar to find other events this year to celebrate San Francisco's sister city. There will be art and handwork exhibits, lectures, Shanghai jazz performances, stories from Shanghai storytellers and much more throughout the year.

No Summer Classes in 2010! Enroll early for Fall 2010

2010-02-17T11:23:00.000-08:00

By now, most students are aware that there will not be summer classes offered in 2010 due to the drastic budget cuts. Are you currently in a CCSF foreign language course and intend to continue? Are you a new or returning student looking to add a foreign language class to your fall 2010 schedule? Then enroll early! The fall schedule will be available online the end of April with a slightly larger amount of foreign language courses. We look forward to seeing you in our classes again in August! Meanwhile, there are many resources available to you to keep your language skills current and fresh. Check out the Language Center's resources for all credit languages, see a foreign language movie, watch television in Spanish, Chinese, or Tagalog. Go to a German, French, Japanese or Italian restaurant and order your meal in that language! Check out the Cinderella Bakery out in the Avenues and practice your Russian. San Francisco is an international city, so opportunities abound to use your foreign language skills.

French 1B Online - Enroll Now for Spring 2010. Classes start January 19!

2009-11-30T11:51:00.000-08:00

For the first time, CCSF will offer French 1B as an online course. If you've studied French before, but don't feel you need to start all over again at the very beginning, this course may be for you. Take the French Placement Recommendation testto find out if French 1B is the right course for you. Take a short self-evaluation to decide if an online course is right for you.

Ritmos y Musica! Here's Juanes Singing Fijate bien

2009-11-20T09:03:00.000-08:00

Students of Spanish 1 and 1B might be familiar with this Ritmos y Música selection at the end of Kapitulo 4 in Plazas. And in case you haven't yet listened to these Latin tunes, they are available on CD in the Language Center. Just ask at the Service Counter. For now, check out Juanes singing his hit "Fijate bien" Note: click on the bottom of the YouTube box for lyrics.

: Read
Fijate Bien Lyrics
here.

Register Soon for Spring 2010 Foreign Language Courses!

2009-10-14T11:29:00.001-07:00

Whether you are continuing your foreign language studies, reviving and refreshing your previously learned language skills, traveling internationally in the summer, need a relevant credit course for transfer, or ?????, then the Foreign Language Department at CCSF has a class for you: Spring 2010 day class schedule or evening class schedule. Classes start beginning January 18, 2010 and fill up fast! So register early. If you have prior language experience in Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Japanese or Spanish, then take a language placement test to determine which class would be best for you. Students of Italian, Russian, or Pilipino please click here for information about placement.

Language Tutoring in the Learning Assistance Center

2009-09-11T10:47:00.000-07:00

Hey there! Students of Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Japanese, Russian and Spanish: tutors are available in the Learning Assistance Center (R-207) according to the schedules linked here. You can use your tutoring session to review homework, chapter material, have a conversation.

Chinese (Mandarin) Advisory Placement Test

2009-08-21T11:54:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars, here is the schedule for the Chinese Advisory Place tests for Fall 2009: December 4 (Friday)from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
December 5 (Saturday)from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The tests will be given in the Language Center, R-205. Please be sure to bring a photo i.d. with you.

The Berlin Wall - Twenty Years Later

2009-05-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

The Berlin Wall came down 20 years ago! Beginning June 18, you can see the "Twenty Years Later" exhibit in the CCSF Art Gallery in the Visual Arts building. This photographic exhibit shows the evolution of areas with photos taken in 1989 and then today. The exhibit is presented through the courtesy of the German Consulate in San Francisco. The exhibit will be open as follows:

Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

It's Your World, Students. Grab a Knife and Fork, Maybe a Spoon or Chopsticks!

2009-03-13T15:01:00.000-07:00

The World Affairs Council sponsors the popular Young Professionals' Language Dinners. Groups meet with the explicit purpose of eating delicious food spiced with good conversation in the local language. Whether you just returned from abroad and are looking to keep the rust off your language skills, or you simply enjoy a good meal and conversation, pull up a plate at one of the many language dinners. Of special interest for CCSF students are language dinners promoting German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, French, and Mandarin. Guten Appetit! If you do attend a dinner, please post a comment and let us know a little bit about your experience.