Bilingual General Education Courses at FCC?

September 13, 2026 - 04:53

Students walking into an introductory biology lecture at Fresno City College may find the class conducted in Spanish rather than English. Professor Liza Gomez Daglio is among the instructors who teach Biology C-1000 in Spanish as part of a broader push to offer general education courses in two languages.

The approach is designed to serve students who are fluent in Spanish and want to complete required science credits without the added pressure of learning complex material in a second language. Supporters say it removes a barrier that often slows progress for bilingual students and can improve retention in courses that many find difficult.

Not everyone sees it the same way. Some students and faculty members question how the model fits with the college's existing English language requirements and whether it creates separate tracks on campus. Others worry about scheduling, since only a limited number of sections are offered in Spanish.

College officials say the program remains small and continues to be evaluated. They point to enrollment data and student feedback as the main measures of success. For now, the courses stand as a test of how far bilingual instruction can go beyond language and literature classes and into core science requirements.