BA (Honours) Language Studies: pathway

Stage 1

You’ll study two compulsory 30-credit Spanish modules at this stage.

Portales: beginners' Spanish (L194)Portales: beginners' Spanish::This key introductory Level 1 course – Portales: beginners’ Spanish – is designed to develop the skills you need to speak and understand simple Spanish in everyday contexts. It takes you through a wide range of practical situations such as travelling, shopping, working and eating out in Spanish-speaking countries. Study resources include printed books, a dedicated website with online activities and resources and audio recordings – which support independent learning. Together, they’ll give you not just language skills but a real feel for Hispanic cultures as well.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-20,module,L194,,1, is a carefully designed beginners’ module that helps you speak and understand Spanish in a wide range of practical situations, while exploring the cultural diversity of the Spanish-speaking world.

You’ll build on this study in En rumbo: intermediate Spanish (L140)En rumbo: intermediate Spanish::En rumbo: intermediate Spanish follows on from Portales: beginners’ Spanish (L194). It builds on your existing Spanish knowledge and teaches more advanced language in the context of Spanish and Latin American society and culture. Study resources – including printed course books and online interactive activities – are carefully designed to develop the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. They provide clear learning objectives, guidance and model answers. This key introductory Level 1 course also teaches good study skills and language-learning strategies.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-20,module,L140,,1, developing your proficiency and confidence in understanding, writing and speaking Spanish. You’ll also gain insights into aspects of life in the Spanish-speaking world, such as health, nature, cultural traditions and personal histories. On completing the intermediate module your language proficiency will be at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

You have 60 credits in which to study other languages and to complete this stage. 

You could develop your linguistic skills in other languages such as French and Italian which are available at both beginners’ and intermediate level and will give you communication skills in everyday contexts, while introducing you to the cultures in which these languages are spoken. Alternatively, you could take up Chinese and Welsh at beginners’ level. All language options are 30-credits.

If you wish to develop your academic language skills in English, you could also study the 30-credit module English for academic purposes online (L185)English for academic purposes online::This completely online course aims to develop the communication skills you need for successful academic study in English. Throughout the course, you will work with a wide range of texts from different subject areas. By exploring different subject areas you will develop the academic English that is most relevant to your study. You will use your knowledge and experience as you explore ways of reading and writing academic texts. You will also develop your academic listening and speaking skills in an online environment.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-20,module,L185,,1.

You could study Voices and texts (A150)Voices and texts::Designed to follow our key introductory course in arts and humanities, The arts past and present (AA100), which you are strongly advised to study first, this course focuses on language in a wide range of contexts and from the perspective of different academic subjects. These include subjects familiar from studying The arts past and present - classical studies, history, literature, music, religious studies - and two additional subjects, creative writing and English language studies. Voices and texts will help you to prepare for your studies at Level 2 by giving you opportunities to sharpen your analytical skills and to develop new approaches to your own writing.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-20,module,A150,,1 (30-credits), which explores language use from various academic perspectives, including creative writing and English language studies. We don’t recommend this is the first module you study towards the degree.

Stage 2

Stage 2 comprises one German and one Spanish 60-credit module.

The German module, Motive: upper intermediate German (L203)Motive: upper intermediate German::This course builds on Auftakt: intermediate German (L130), or equivalent knowledge. It will extend your language skills, enhance your cultural knowledge and develop the skills needed to study at a higher level. You’ll learn to communicate in a wide range of situations; express your opinions; report what other people have said; explain processes and trends; communicate by email, letter and telephone; make structured notes; and write different types of text. You’ll also improve your command of grammar and vocabulary. A compulsory residential school takes place in Germany (or you can study an online alternative).undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-20,module,L203,,1, blends interactive online audio-visual with print resources to give you a structured overview of key aspects of life in the German-speaking world today. Topics include: the world of work, art and the media, faith and belief, and contemporary social history. You’ll also attend a residential school in Germany (or study an online alternative).

The Spanish module, Viento en popa: upper intermediate Spanish (L204)Viento en popa: upper intermediate Spanish::This course builds on En rumbo: intermediate Spanish (L140), or equivalent knowledge. It will continue to develop your practical language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. By studying a variety of authentic audio, video and printed materials from Spain and Latin America, you will learn how to communicate in situations ranging from everyday conversation to putting forward your point of view in a debate. You will also have the opportunity to work on grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary acquisition. A compulsory residential school takes place in Spain (or you can study an online alternative).undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-20,module,L204,,1, develops your practical language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Drawing on a variety of authentic audio, video and printed materials from Spain and Latin America, you’ll learn how to communicate in situations ranging from everyday conversation to putting forward your point of view in a debate. You’ll also have the opportunity to work on grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary acquisition. Topics include urban life, education, culture, the workplace, history, traditions and beliefs. You’ll also attend a residential school in Spain (or study an online alternative).

On completing the modules, your language proficiency will be at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

Stage 3

Stage 3 also comprises one German and one Spanish 60-credit module.

The final German module, Variationen: advanced German (L313)Variationen: advanced German::This course follows on from Motive: upper intermediate German (L203). It continues to develop your knowledge and understanding of the society and culture of contemporary Germany and German-speaking countries, and to extend the practical skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The study resources include online authentic audio and video, comprising interviews, documentaries and reportages, and illustrated printed materials. You will also develop your academic writing, critical and analytical skills, and intercultural competence. The course has six themes that give both broad and focused coverage of different aspects of historical and contemporary Germany and German-speaking countries.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-20,module,L313,,1, uses authentic print, audio, video and online resources to familiarise you with everyday genres such as interviews and discussions. You’ll develop intercultural awareness and critical and analytical skills, and learn how to write for an academic audience. Topics include regionalism, migration, key events in German and Austrian history, film and literature.

The final Spanish module, A buen puerto: advanced Spanish (L314)A buen puerto: advanced Spanish::This course follows on from Viento en popa: upper intermediate Spanish (L204). It continues to develop your knowledge and understanding of the society and culture of Spain and Latin America and to extend the practical skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. The study resources include online authentic audio and video, comprising interviews and documentaries, and illustrated printed materials. You will also develop your critical, analytical and intercultural skills. The course is structured around six themes, which give a broad introduction to different aspects of society and culture in Spanish speaking countries.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-20,module,L314,,1, continues to develop your knowledge and understanding of the society and culture of Spain and Latin America and to extend the practical skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. You’ll also develop your critical, analytical and intercultural skills and learn how to write for an academic audience. The module is structured around six themes: culture and identity; art and music; language and politics; science; the economy; and the environment.

On completing the modules, your language proficiency will be at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.