Foreign Languages

Associate in Arts Degree Foreign Languages · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog

The Associate in Arts in Foreign Languages Degree is an excellent way to develop communicative skills in multiple languages other than English as well as global and critical thinking. It can provide a basis for understanding cultures, and therefore, prepare graduates for many careers in a multicultural world. The ability to communicate and interact with others is more and more vital with growing global interdependence and technological connectivity. Students in the Associate in Arts in Foreign Language Degree can develop careers in areas such as: education, diplomatic services, anthropology, business, economics, fashion, political science, literature, sociology, and linguistics. While teaching has traditionally been the principal area of employment, other careers, such as interpreting, translating, research, public relations, international commerce, tourism, and publishing are possible.

The department offers courses from the beginning to intermediate levels. All courses are designed to develop the student’s listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing skills, as well as to provide a general overview of non-English speaking civilizations and cultures.

Program Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Recognize and produce the target language(s) in the four primary areas of communication: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
  2. Demonstrate a better understanding and appreciation of the cultures related to the target language(s) by comparing and contrasting them with the student’s own culture(s).
  3. Use current technologies to further develop language and cultural competencies.

Requirements

Review Graduation Requirements and General Education.

CourseTitleUnits
Required Courses
Complete four (4) semesters of one language:18-20
French
FREN A180/FREN A180HElementary French 1
FREN A185/FREN A185HElementary French 2
FREN A280/FREN A280HIntermediate French 1
FREN A285/FREN A285HIntermediate French 2
German
GRMN A180Elementary German 1
GRMN A185Elementary German 2
GRMN A280Intermediate German 1
GRMN A285Intermediate German 2
Italian
ITAL A180Elementary Italian 1
ITAL A185Elementary Italian 2
ITAL A280Intermediate Italian 1
ITAL A285Intermediate Italian 2
Japanese
JAPN A180Elementary Japanese 1
JAPN A185Elementary Japanese 2
JAPN A280Intermediate Japanese 1
JAPN A285Intermediate Japanese 2
Restricted Elective - Select at least one of the following or from a language not used above:3-5
CHIN A180Elementary Chinese 1
CHIN A185Elementary Chinese 2
PORT A180Elementary Portuguese 1
PORT A185Elementary Portuguese 2
SPAN A180/SPAN A180HElementary Spanish 1
SPAN A185/SPAN A185HElementary Spanish 2
SPAN A280/SPAN A280HIntermediate Spanish 1
SPAN A285Intermediate Spanish 2
VIET A180Elementary Vietnamese 1
VIET A185Elementary Vietnamese 2
Program Major Units21-25
OCC AA General Education and Multicultural RequirementsUp to 27
Degree-applicable electives to satisfy unit requirementVaries
Total Minimum Degree Units - OCC AA GE60
  1. Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.
  2. Cal-GETC pattern (up to 34 units) may be substituted.
  3. Multicultural Requirement may be met with a General Education or Major course.

Foreign Languages AA Degree Suggested Electives

ANTH A190 Introduction to Linguistic Anthropology
BUS A118 Introduction to International Business or BUS A118H Introduction to International Business Honors
CMST A185 Public Relations
FASH A177 Fashion Merchandising Concepts
HTT A125 Destination the Americas
HTT A127 Destination Eastern Europe
PSCI A110 International Relations

Program Sequence

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Year 1

Semester 1 Units
Chosen Foreign Language A180 - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements for courses) 5
OCC AA GE AREA 1A - CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AA GE AREA 4- CHOOSE ONE 3
OCC AA GE AREA 7E THEORY- CHOOSE ONE 1 1-4
Units
Semester 2
Chosen Foreign Language A185 - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements for courses)
OCC AA GE AREA 1B - CHOOSE ONE
OCC AA GE AREA 2- CHOOSE ONE
OCC AA GE AREA 5 – CHOOSE ONE 3
Summer
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 2

Year 2

Semester 1
Chosen Foreign Language A280 - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements for courses)
AA RESTRICTED ELECTIVE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements)
AA Global/Multicultural Requirement – CHOOSE ONE or ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 2
Semester 2
Chosen Foreign Language A285 - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements for courses)
OCC AA GE AREA 6- CHOOSE ONE
OCC AA GE AREA 7E ACTIVITY - CHOOSE ONE 1
ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 2
  1. VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS
  2. OCC AA Global/ Multicultural required if not already taken in other GE areas, refer to AA Graduation Requirement webpage; if requirement is fulfilled, take degree applicable elective units
  3. OCC AA GE AREA 7E requires a minimum of 3 units to include one course from 7E- Theory/Non-activty and one course from 7E- Activity

View in the original catalog

Machine-readable: Markdown · JSON