Modern Languages Frequently Asked Questions

Students aren’t required to have computers to enroll in MLCD classes, but most of our classes have online textbook or resources or other online resources so our students often prefer to use their own computers to do their homework. If you don’t have your own computer, you may use a computer in the Modern Languages Lab to complete your homework or lab assignments. If you don’t have time to stay on campus to do your homework, you will probably need to acquire a computer or get access to one away from campus. A public library in your area might provide internet access for you.

Talk to your instructor about resources that you might use during the summer. If you would like to discuss other options, contact the department chair for assistance (Lourdes Arévalo – 310-434-8491 or arevalo_lourdes@smc.edu).

Though language other than English is not an admission requirement to UC for most  majors, it is part of the IGETC Area 6A.  This IGETC Area can be fulfilled in many ways. However, the most common way is to take a level 1 course at SMC or in High School have completed level 2B (second year, second semester) or higher with a “C-” or higher (for California High School students this requirement is met by completing Area E in the A-G UC admissions requirements for entering freshmen).  There are majors that require more than one level of language other than English for the major.  In this case, in order to be competitive, you should take up through the level indicated in www.assist.org. 

Also note, that the majority of majors at USC require a language other than English through level 3 to graduate.  You will save a lot of money and be more successful in your language classes if you complete your transfer university’s language requirement at SMC. Language classes have a very high unit value: 5 units each for elementary and intermediate classes. If you wait until after you transfer to complete your language requirement, you will need to pay more money than you would have paid at SMC, and you will have forgotten most of your language studies if you didn’t continue them. It will be more difficult for you to be successful if there is a hiatus in your language studies.

If you have further questions, see a counselor who can help you make the best decision in order for you to be a competitive transfer applicant.

Yes. Santa Monica College offers many options for learning a new language. SMC offers non-credit courses and in Modern Languages and Cultures we offer for-credit courses for Certificates of Achievement, global citizenship credit for an AA degree, credit for transfer to UC, CSU, and other public and private universities. All students are welcome in our classes.

We have three Certificates of Achievement: African and Middle Eastern Studies, Asian Studies, and Latin American Studies. They were designed to introduce SMC students to area studies and to prepare them for careers and majors that are relevant to them. These certificates are designed to support a variety of interdisciplinary studies from the Humanities to health care to business. In each area, multicultural and multilingual acumen are an asset. The certificates were designed to support our students’ desire to enhance their opportunities in the job market and in transfer to area studies programs. Contact the department chair (Lourdes Arévalo – 310-434-8491 or arevalo_lourdes@smc.edu) if you are interested in completing the requirements for the Certificate of Achievement.

No. You will not be able to get credit for the language requirement if you graduated from a high school where that language was used as the language of instruction.

This is a common question. Unfortunately, language classes require constant study. You need to find study time at least five or six days a week. Repetition and practice are the keys to success. Students who only study a couple of days a week can’t remember all of the detailed information when they try to study over intense long periods of time. It’s better to spread out the study sessions over the week and vary them by studying alone, with study partners, and by meeting with tutors. Integrate tutoring sessions into your study routine.

The SLOs for all of our classes address all of the four skills that are vital to language acquisition: listening, speaking, reading and writing. All of our classes work to train literate students who are capable of communicating with native speakers of the target language without an interpreter or translator.

We are located at Drescher Hall 220, across from the John Drescher Planetarium (enter through Drescher Hall 219).

SMC Campus Map

Visit the Language Lab website for hours and contact information.

The Modern Languages Lab is reserved for SMC language students. Faculty may also reserve the lab space for their classes.

Students who are not enrolled in a language course may visit one of the many computer labs offered at SMC.

You do not need to make an appointment to use the Modern Languages Lab. You are free to come and go anytime the lab is open.

The Modern Languages Lab is equipped with over fifty computer workstations, microphones, headphones, and webcams. Students may also find cultural books, artwork, and items to enhance their language-learning experience.

Yes, students are encouraged to work, study, and practice their language skills in the Modern Languages Lab. The lab is equipped with microphones, headphones, and webcams for your convenience.

The Language Lab Support team provides technical support exclusively for SMC language students. We assist with Mango Languages, Transparent Language, VoiceThread, and the MLLAB Media Finder.

Visit the Language Lab Support Desk website for hours and contact information.

The Language Lab Support team is unavailable during all campus holidays and breaks. Hours are subject to change.

No, the Lab Support Desk team are unable to provide information on which courses to take. Speak with a faculty member or contact the counseling department.

Students enrolled in a language course may find the Canvas Shell on their Canvas Dashboard. If you are having accessing the Canvas Shell, contact the Language Lab Support Desk team.

We are located inside Drescher Hall 219, across from the John Drescher Planetarium.

SMC Campus Map

We are open 5 days a week from Monday to Friday. From Mondays to Thursdays, we are open for both in-person and online tutoring; Fridays, all tutoring service is available online via Zoom. 

Not necessarily. The Tutoring Center welcomes both appointments and drop-in/walk-in. Follow the schedule on our website if you would like to drop-in online or walk-in in person at Drescher Hall 219. 

No. It is 100% free.

You can schedule an appointment with a tutor through our online appointment system, available through Corsair Connect. 

You can find step-by-step instructions on our tutoring website. 

You can visit our tutoring lab located at Drescher Hall 219 and utilize the computers to meet with our tutors. 

Meet with your instructor during their office hours. All MLCD faculty hold office hours on a weekly basis. Also, the Modern Languages Tutoring Center offers FREE tutoring for SMC students who are enrolled in MLCD classes. The current schedule is at Modern Language Tutoring website.

Yes. Tutoring service opens for SMC students who are actively registering for any language courses.

If you are not taking any language courses at SMC and would like to meet with our tutors, you will need to meet the following prerequisite and rules: 

1. Have successfully taken languages courses before in any colleges or institutions;
2. The max length of each appointment you can book would be 30 mins and once per day. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to connect tutors with personal employers.

You can fill out our application to be a language tutor (opens in new window) if you are interested. Potential candidates are also encouraged to contact Mengyi Shi via shi_mengyi@smc.edu, our Tutoring Coordinator. Note that before reaching out to the Tutoring Coordinator, first fill out the application and prepare your transcript and resume.

At this moment, we are welcoming SMC students who are interested in tutoring any target language including Arabic, French, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Persian, Italian.

If you have never taken a language course before, it would be better for you to begin with Spanish 31A, which is a practical Spanish course that will help you to be more successful in Spanish 1. Spanish 1 is a rigorous course for beginning students. If you are a heritage speaker of Spanish and have never studied Spanish before, you should enroll in Spanish 11.

No, it is transferable to CSU, but you will need to complete Spanish 1 with a “C” or higher to fulfill the language transfer requirement.

Yes, Spanish 11 is transferable to UC and CSU. It fulfills the language requirement for UC. After successfully completing Spanish 11, you may enroll in Spanish 12, and after Spanish 12, you may enroll in Spanish 4.

No. Spanish 1 isn’t designed for heritage speakers. It won’t help you to improve your Spanish as much as Spanish 11 will. Spanish 11 is designed to help you to improve your Spanish so that you will be able to use it to advance your career.