Spanish
Apply for AdmissionWhy Study Spanish
Spanish is the national language of many countries in the western hemisphere. And as the fastest growing language in California, with almost 30% of the population speaking it, knowing Spanish is a greater career asset than ever before. Native speakers of Spanish study Spanish to enhance their career opportunities by building upon their spoken, social Spanish to develop skills for professional and educational contexts.
Knowing Spanish can also be an asset when traveling to many countries, and it can help develop one’s cultural sensitivity as they experience how others think and view the world.
Whether taking Spanish classes for personal enrichment, as preparation for degrees or other disciplines, or to earn one of our Certificates or Degrees in Spanish, you will acquire important communications skills for work and life.
Our faculty believe that language is not just a skill for transactional communication. Rather, language is an integral part of ethnicity, identity, and culture. In other words, it is an integral part of how one understands and navigates the world. And when we learn a new language, it expands our worldview to incorporate the worldview of others, challenging us to be humble, to have the courage to make mistakes as seek to communicate and connect with others.
When you earn a Spanish degree at Foothill, you learn about cultures and civilizations in a holistic approach that connects language with Ethnic Studies/Latinx Studies, Latin American History, and Latino/a Literature. You’ll widen your view of how language is integrated into our modern global society.
What you can do with a degree in Spanish
A major in Spanish can prepare you for:
- Teacher
- Translator
- Interpreter
- Immigration office
- Classifier of foreign documents
- Museum work
Earn Your Spanish Certificate
Complete SPAN 1–3 for your Certificate of Achievement, or SPAN 4–6 for the Advanced Certificate. Build your skills and earn credentials as you go.
View the Program Map to plan your pathDegrees & Certificates
View list below for programs offered at Foothill. Then select program map for a possible schedule that fulfills program and college requirements.
For program requirements and full course listings, view degrees and certificates information.
Certificate of Achievement (CA)
Associate in Arts (AA)
Associate in Arts for Transfer
Credit By Exam
Students with prior knowledge of Spanish can receive credit by exam for one quarter of Spanish.
Quick Look at Spanish Courses
For complete course details, including units, hours and prerequisites, view course catalog. For when a course is offered, view class schedule.
- SPAN 1 Elementary Spanish I
- SPAN 2 Elementary Spanish II
- SPAN 3 Elementary Spanish III
- SPAN 4 Intermediate Spanish I
- SPAN 5 Intermediate Spanish II
- SPAN 6 Intermediate Spanish III
- SPAN 51A Spanish for Health Care Workers
- SPAN 51B Spanish for Health Care Workers II
- SPAN 51C Spanish for Health Care Workers III
- SPAN 110 Elementary Spanish Conversation I
- SPAN 111 Elementary Spanish Conversation II
- SPAN 192 Training for Spanish Tutors
More Resources
Ways to Experience More!
At Foothill, we offer many opportunities to get involved outside the classroom.
Gain real-world experience through paid internships with mission-driven nonprofit organizations. Build professional skills, connect coursework to careers, and work with community partners across the region.
Travel, study, and gain real-world experience through Foothill’s faculty-led global programs. Explore new cultures, earn academic credit, and participate in service learning, research, and study abroad around the world.
Showcase your ideas and creativity at Foothill’s annual symposium, where students present research, service projects, and creative work through talks, posters, performances, and art exhibitions.
