International Languages

The mission of the International Languages Department is to advance the study of foreign languages in a direction that will serve the educational needs of a diverse community. Our programs encompass both language proficiency and cultural understanding so that students may become active participants in our global society.

A new language fits every major, every career, every life

Learning a second language doesn't just expand your résumé. At MiraCosta, we believe it's one of the most transformative things a student can do.

Expand your options: From healthcare to business to education, employers actively seek bilingual candidates. Speaking a patient's or client's language builds a trust that no translation can replace.
Rewire your thinking: Bilingual brains are better at filtering distractions, switching between tasks, and thinking through complex problems.
Discover your own culture: Every language carries a worldview. Students often say that learning another language builds genuine empathy for communities different from their own, and a clearer picture of their own culture too.

We offer 5 languages on site & online

French
Spoken on five continents, French is an invaluable asset in diplomacy, business, and the arts.
- AA (CSU, Cal-GETC), Certificate of Achievement
German
The language of engineering, philosophy, and Europe's largest economy. Remarkably learnable, too.
- General Education Program
Italian
Art, architecture, cuisine, fashion: Italian unlocks one of the world's richest cultural traditions.
- AA (CSU, Cal-GETC), Certificate of AchievementItalian Language & Culture Certificate
Japanese
From anime and gaming to global business, Japanese opens up a vibrant and rapidly evolving culture.
- AA, Certificate of Achievement
Spanish
The most widely spoken language in the Western Hemisphere, and the fastest-growing in California.
- AA for transfer (CSU, Cal-GETC), Certificate of Achievement