The language of signs is used by about a million people in the United States, parts of Canada, and a few other countries. In this class, emphasis is on learning basic conversational American Sign Language (ASL). We will learn the American Manual Alphabet (finger spelling) and progress to everyday communication. While ASL is primarily used by deaf and hearing impaired people, it's also helpful to anyone with a speech impairment. It's a beautiful, expressive method of communicating and fun to teach to babies, friends, and family as a special language aid.

This is an introduction to basic French which will include both simple conversation as well as basic grammar. This class will offer you the opportunity to learn in a relaxed atmosphere. Travel, vocabulary, and French culture will also be included.

This program is a continuation of basic French dialogue and pronunciation practice through group repetitions and responses. Come enjoy the delightful culture of France while speaking up-to-date French. Bienvenue!  A link to Barbara's website for this class can be accessed by clicking here:      http://elearn.mtsac.edu/bvigano

Guten Tag! Learn German, Deutsch, the Fast and Fun Way is the name of our topic-based text. Join us in speaking, understanding and enjoying the German language and culture through handouts, readings, songs, and easy conversations. New students can begin the class at any time. Returning students use the class to continue to strengthen their vocabulary and grammar. Herzlich Willkommen!

Learn to speak in Italian the way you learn to talk as a child: by hearing, understanding, and repeating, without worrying about verb conjugations, or spelling.

This class will emphasize everyday Spanish conversation in various situations such as meeting people, asking directions, shopping, traveling and getting help. Only the present tense verbs will be used for ease of conversation. The book that will be used in class is Barron's Learn Spanish the Fast and Fun Way by Gene Hammitt (3rd Edition).

Around 60% of the words in English come from Latin. From the arts and sciences, 12% derive from the Greek. Many others are borrowed from other languages: barbeque<barbacoa, huracán>hurricane, estrés>stress, leader>líder, tomatl>tomato, chocolatl>chocolate, lariat<la reata, tarif<tarifa, jaguar>jaguar, ("how are" not jag-you-are) coyote (koh-yoh-teh, not  kah-yo-tee)<coyote.

Spanish has one sound only for each vowel. English has ascribed 24 different sounds, to the same 5 vowels. Most consonants have only one sound in Spanish. As to consonants, in English the T, for example, has these 5 thoughtless different pronunciation unnatural sounds.

Come to learn to speak in Spanish the same way you learned your own first language:

by listening, understanding, and repeating, without concern about the spelling, syntax, grammar, nor conjugation or verb tenses.

This intermediate class is presented in a communicative-based approach for learning to talk and speak in Spanish through the reading aloud of simplified versions of Spanish literature. Emphasis is placed on the correct pronunciation of Spanish.

The problem is not with Spanish. The problem is with English. It is may be the only language you can speak with a pipe clenched between your teeth and still be understood! EX: BUENAS NOCHES! (bwen-ass-noh-chess) comes out as: "BRING YOUR SNOW SHOES! To which the response NATURALLY will be: "SORRY, MEESTER, NO SPIK EENGLIS'

This continuing Spanish course will restart to the beginning for the benefit of newly enrolled students. It will use the text, Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar, which is “designed as a tool for review and advancement in the language for the advanced beginner and intermediate learner of Spanish.” The practice occurs by the use of various worksheets and drills, which will be done in class. The course will start with a review of all the moods and tenses of Spanish verbs, followed by a detailed study of all the other parts of speech.

This class is for those who have studied Spanish in the past and now wish to continue learning about this beautiful and useful language. The emphasis will be exploring Spanish grammar, conjugating Spanish verbs, and expanding your Spanish vocabulary. The reading of short stories, histories and biographies in Spanish will help to fix what you are learning while adding to your understanding of the many different Spanish-speaking peoples and their cultures. This class is currently closed to new enrollees.