At Bakersfield College over the past 20 years there have been Japanese’s courses being offered. Over time the program’s popularity has grown, and students have asked for an increase in the number of courses offered. Now BC offers levels 1,2,3 and 4. In the summer of 2019 the A.A program was created to meet student demand. 

Professor Yuki Takeuchi teaches all four levels of Japanese at BS. When asked what the main goal of the program is, she stated, “To expand the course offerings and increase the numbers of students graduating with the degree and better understand the diversity that defines the U.S. and how global perspective makes us better citizens.”

 When more Japanese courses are available, more students take them, and classes are always in demand. A lot of students who have joined the program have completed the degree. Afterwards, many of them continue to study at a four-year university. Takeuchi explained that some even work in Japan right now. 

The only downside of the program is as of now there is not a full-time faculty, so each semester the courses that are available are limited. That makes it difficult for students to get the A.A degree before graduating or transferring to another university. The classes make students critically think about contrasting cultures and analyze a different language. 

That will make the students more committed and help them be more engaged in their own communities. A key part in the program is that it gives an opportunity for students to earn AA degrees and the courses are transferable to CSUs, UCs and other institutions with a major in Japanese or Asian studies. There are multiple career paths that Japanese students can take like teaching, translating/interpreting, international business, among others both in the United States and in Japan.

 If you are interested in taking these types of courses and you want to join the program, contact Professor Takeuchi, and sign up fast because opportunities like these are taken up quickly.