Languages

REGISTER BY MARCH 18 AND SAVE ON SPRING COURSES

Whether you want to conduct international business, discover your family heritage, connect with new communities, explore new cultures or travel the world, the ability to communicate in another language enhances your experience and gives you the confidence you need to accomplish your goals and understand perspectives different from your own. Learning another language has been shown to help improve your decision-making ability, enhance your creativity, boost brain function and more.

We offer online and face-to-face language courses that emphasize practical conversation skills in French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and American Sign Language. Summer Institutes in French, Spanish and American Sign Language are available each July.

Our online conversational language classes offer you a real-time virtual classroom where you can see and interact with your teacher and classmates. Each week, you login at a set time to your virtual classroom with your instructor and classmates. Practise conversation in pairs and groups, ask questions and receive feedback from your instructor. Outside of class, you can access handouts and other materials online at your own pace and rhythm.

Reading and writing courses in French, Spanish and Chinese are also offered in 100% online, self-paced courses.

Courses vary from introductory to advanced. Not sure which level is right for you? Read our overview of course language levels to find the level that suits your experience and skills.

Courses and Programs

Courses

Course Name
American Sign Language Beginner 1 (DS101)  
American Sign Language Beginner 2 (DS102)  
American Sign Language Beginner 3 (DS103)   
American Sign Language Beginner 4 (DS104)   
American Sign Language Beginner 5 (DS105)   
American Sign Language Intermediate 1 (DS201)   
American Sign Language Intermediate 2 (DS202)   
American Sign Language Intermediate 3 (DS203)   
American Sign Language Intermediate 4 (DS204)   
American Sign Language Intermediate 5 (DS205)   
American Sign Language Summer Institute: Beginner 1 (SI872)   
American Sign Language Summer Institute: Beginner 1 & Beginner 2 (SI875)   
American Sign Language Summer Institute: Beginner 1, 2, 3 (SI876)   
American Sign Language Summer Institute: Beginner 2 (SI873)   
American Sign Language Summer Institute: Beginner 3 (SI874)   
American Sign Language: Advanced 1-5 (DS400)   
Dutch Beginner 1 (AD010)   
Dutch Beginner 2 (AD020)  
French - Discovering Cheese - Lower Intermediate to Advanced (AF850)   
French Beginner 1 (AF010)  
French Beginner 2 (AF020)  
French Intermediate and Advanced (AF045)  
French Lower Intermediate (AF030)  
French Summer Institute - Intermediate and Advanced - 100% Online (SI895)   
French Summer Institute – Beginner 2 and Lower Intermediate (In-Person) (SI990)   
French Summer Institute: Beginner 2 & Lower Intermediate - Online (SI890)   
French Summer Institute: Intermediate & Advanced (In-Person) (SI995)   
French Yoga - Language in Motion (AF852)  
German Beginner 1 (AG010)   
German Beginner 2 (AG020)   
German Lower Intermediate 1 (AG030)   
Introduction to DeafBlind Culture and Communication (DS502)   
Introduction to Deafhood (DS501)   
Introduction to Langue des Signes Québécoise (DS801)   
Italian Advanced Conversation Practice (AI355)   
Italian Beginner 1 (AI010)   
Italian Beginner 2 (AI020)   
Italian Lower Intermediate 1 (AI031)   
Italian Lower Intermediate 2 (AI032)   
Japanese Beginner 1 (AJ010)  
Japanese Beginner 2 (AJ020)   
Japanese Conversation Practice (AJ354)   
Japanese Lower Intermediate and Intermediate (AJ035)   
Korean Beginner 1 (AC010)   
Korean Beginner 2 (AC020)   
Latin American Culture (AS616)   
Latin American Culture 2 (AS617)   
Mandarin Beginner 1 (AM010)  
Mandarin Beginner 2 (AM020)  
Mandarin Intermediate and Advanced (AM045)  
Mandarin Lower Intermediate (AM030)   
Portuguese Beginner 1 (AP010)   
Portuguese Beginner 2 (AP020)   
Portuguese Intermediate 1 (AP041)   
Portuguese Intermediate Conversation Practice (AP045)   
Portuguese Lower Intermediate 1 (AP031)   
Portuguese Lower Intermediate 2 (AP032)   
Reading and Writing Chinese Characters - Beginner 1 (AM615)   
Reading and Writing Chinese Characters - Beginner 2 (AM616)   
Reading and Writing French - Advanced 1 (AF503)   
Reading and Writing French - Advanced 10 (AF515)   
Reading and Writing French - Advanced 2 (AF504)   
Reading and Writing French - Advanced 3 (AF505)   
Reading and Writing French - Advanced 4 (AF506)   
Reading and Writing French - Advanced 5 (AF507)   
Reading and Writing French - Advanced 6 (AF508)   
Reading and Writing French - Advanced 7 (AF509)   
Reading and Writing French - Advanced 8 (AF510)   
Reading and Writing French - Advanced 9 (AF512)   
Reading and Writing French - Advanced Workshop (AF516)   
Reading and Writing French - Beginner 2 (AF500)   
Reading and Writing French - Intermediate (AF502)   
Reading and Writing French - Lower Intermediate (AF501)   
Reading and Writing Spanish - Advanced 1 (AS503)   
Reading and Writing Spanish - Advanced 2 (AS504)   
Reading and Writing Spanish - Advanced 3 (AS505)   
Reading and Writing Spanish - Beginner 2 (AS500)   
Reading and Writing Spanish - Intermediate (AS502)   
Reading and Writing Spanish - Lower Intermediate (AS501)   
Spanish Beginner 1 (AS010)  
Spanish Beginner 2 (AS020)  
Spanish Intermediate and Advanced (AS045)   
Spanish Lower Intermediate (AS030)  
Spanish Summer Institute: Beginner 2 & Lower Intermediate (SI869)   
Spanish Summer Institute: Intermediate & Advanced (SI870)   
Spanish Yoga - Language in Motion (AS851)  

Programs

Chinese

UBC Award of Achievement Program
The UBC Award of Achievement in Chinese is a part-time program that helps you improve your language skills, enhance your knowledge of Chinese culture, prepare for travel and increase your career opportunities. LEARN MORE

French Language and Culture

UBC Certificate Program
The UBC Certificate in French Language and Culture will help you expand your French language skills and prepare for study, travel or doing business at home and throughout the French-speaking world. LEARN MORE

Spanish, Practical and Business

UBC Certificate Program
The UBC Certificate in Practical and Business Spanish helps you hone your Spanish language skills for a business environment. LEARN MORE