Modern Languages 

 Be one step ahead and learn a foreign language

You can study French or Spanish as part of your degree at the University. Taught modules are available at two levels:

• Beginner
• Intermediate

For students who already have studied one of these languages to "A" level there is an independent study module available.

Why study a language? 

1. The ability to communicate in a foreign language is a very marketable (and in the UK increasingly rare) skill.

Having another language helps you to stand out in the increasingly crowded graduate job market.  And because of the shortage of English native speakers with language skills, employers are frequently willing to pay more. A recent job market survey, quoted by UCAS, found that employers paid on average 8% more for staff with languages.

2. The assumption that everyone else speaks English is quite false.

Although English is certainly a global language, more than three quarters of the population of the world speak no English at all. The world is becoming more multilingual, and monolingual English speakers will be less and less able to compete in the global jobs market.

3. Learning a language can be fun and is probably quite different from the rest of your course.

Language learning is all about communicating, so languages classes are very active and sociable! Working in groups and teams that are often international is common, and participation in field trips and exchanges to countries where the language is used is very much encouraged.

4. Even a limited knowledge of a foreign language can be very useful

As the world becomes more multilingual foreign languages can appear at any time – visitors arrive, e-mails come in, the phone rings etc. It is surprising how useful it can be to be able to spot opportunities or potential problems before others – or simply be able to socialise.

5. Learning a language teaches you a range of useful skills: the following is a quote from the UCAS careers website:

"Another language is a concrete and demonstrable skill - like being able to drive a car or touch type. But learning a language teaches you all sorts of other valuable things too - which you'll find invaluable later when you get into work. Using language to persuade, argue or explain, preparing presentations, putting text in different forms for different audiences, just putting ideas across clearly - all these are vital skills for the workplace, whatever language you're operating in. Learning how to interact with speakers of other languages can help you to see things from a range of perspectives - making you more adaptable, creative, and insightful. The ability to operate cross-culturally is becoming just as much valued by employers as straight language skills."

Timetable

Entry Requirements

Beginner modules are open to all except students who have a recent GCSE grade A in the language.

To take the intermediate modules you need to have passed French or Spanish for beginners or have a GCSE grade C or above or equivalent.

If you have a recent good A level pass in either French or Spanish you would be able to take ML 298.

Course Content

All the modules concentrate on practical communication for general, social and vocational purposes.The beginner modules focus particularly on listening and speaking skills, whilst the intermediate modules include development of the written language. The content of ML 298 is neotiated with the modlue tutor.

Course Assessments