Learning another language opens the door to opportunity. Whether you want to travel the world, explore new cultures, connect with new communities, discover your family heritage or conduct international business, the ability to communicate in another language can provide new perspectives, enhance cultural experiences and help you achieve your goals.
You have the option to take individual courses, choose a learning pathway to complete a credential or choose one of our shorter format Summer Language Institutes.
The content, which focuses on building your practical conversation skills and/or developing your reading and writing skills, is delivered by passionate and creative instructors in a fun and lively atmosphere. Cultural teachings are woven into every lesson providing historical significance and meaningful social insights. Expect to come away with a love of language and the desire to explore cultures and make connections wherever you may go.
Meet Catherine and Vinicius, two UBC Extended Learning language students, who share how learning a language has impacted their lives. One of our French instructors, Annick, shares her passion for teaching and how learning even a few words in another language can open doors.
Improve your Chinese language skills, enhance your knowledge of Chinese culture, prepare for travel and increase your career opportunities in this part-time program.
Expand your French language skills in this part-time program, and prepare for study, travel or doing business at home or throughout the French-speaking world.
In this part-time certificate program, improve your practical and business Spanish language skills, and deepen your appreciation of Spanish and Latin cultures.
Improve your English communication skills in this six-course program. Learn to communicate clearly and interact effectively with colleagues in the Canadian workplace.
Take your French language experience to the next level by exploring the connection between heart, body and mind in this all-levels yoga series offered entirely in French. Learn or practice your French vocabulary as it relates to movement, breath and spiritual wellbeing.
Topics in this course change each term and are designed to further spoken fluency in Italian. Each course begins with a half hour of guided conversation followed by structured exercises and lessons in advanced Italian grammar and conversation.
Add to your basic German vocabulary in everyday situations involving travel, food, shopping, transportation, family and business. In addition to improving your functional ability when speaking in the present tense, you will begin to express yourself in the past and future tenses.
Learn to share information about yourself and ask basic questions in Italian using the present tense. Practise listening and speaking about everyday social situations such as meeting new people, describing yourself, your family members and friends, and expressing opinions. Focus on pronunciation and basic grammar in interactive and conversational classes.
Add to your basic Italian vocabulary in everyday situations involving travel, food and shopping. Respond to simple questions about likes, dislikes and past times. Using role play, order at a coffee shop and talk about your job. Learn how to communicate simple ideas orally and in writing.
Add to your basic Japanese vocabulary in everyday situations involving travel, food, shopping, transportation, family and business. In addition to improving your functional ability when speaking in the present tense, you begin to express yourself in the past and future tenses. Native-speaking instructors provide you with insight into the culture, traditions and etiquette of Japan. The Japanese writing system of katakana is introduced at this level.
Add to your basic Japanese vocabulary in everyday situations involving travel, food, shopping, transportation, family and business. In addition to improving your functional ability when speaking in the present tense, you begin to express yourself in the past and future tenses. Native-speaking instructors provide you with insight into the culture, traditions and etiquette of Japan. The Japanese writing system of katakana is introduced at this level.
Expand your Japanese vocabulary and start to elevate your level of language with improvement in pronunciation, grammatical structures and complex sentence formation. Concentrate on speaking correctly and distinguishing between the past, present and future tenses. Learn about nuances of the language, including correct registers of language to use in various situations.
Gain practical speaking, reading and writing skills in Korean. Build your vocabulary and grammar skills through live, interactive classes, audio recordings and videos as you learn about culture and life in modern Korea.
Add to your basic Mandarin vocabulary in everyday situations involving travel, food, shopping, transportation, family and business, and focus on correct pronunciation of the tonal system. Native-speaking instructors provide you with insight into the culture, traditions and etiquette of China.
Expand your Mandarin vocabulary and start to elevate your level of language by learning more complex structures and refining your skills. You concentrate on speaking correctly and distinguishing between the past, present and future tenses. Native-speaking instructors provide you with insight into the culture, traditions and etiquette of China.
Add to your basic Portuguese vocabulary in everyday situations involving travel, food, shopping, transportation, family and business. In addition to improving your functional ability when speaking in the present tense, you begin to express yourself in the past and future tenses.
This course is designed especially for professionals who speak English as an additional language. Improve your pronunciation, fluency and presence in speaking English publicly. Build your confidence in different speaking situations, such as talking to one person, or presenting in a team meeting or in front of a large audience.
Other start dates: Jun 03, 2025; Jul 02, 2025; Jul 03, 2025
Add to your base of Spanish vocabulary and expressions to communicate in everyday situations involving travel, food, shopping, family and business. Continue to improve your pronunciation and express preferences. Practise your new Spanish skills and interact with your classmates in a comfortable atmosphere.
Focus on using Spanish in authentic real-life situations. Continue to expand your vocabulary, and start to elevate your level of language by learning more complex structures with a communication goal in mind. Concentrate on speaking correctly, and distinguishing between the past, present, and future tenses. Begin to learn about nuances of Spanish, including correct levels of language to use in various situations.
