BA (Honours) Language Studies: pathway

Stage 1

There are no compulsory modules at Stage 1, but you must ensure that you have an appropriate level of French and the skills to learn languages at a distance to start studying French at Stage 2. Your language proficiency should be at least level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

The optional 120 credits for this stage can be made up of four optional 30-credit modules or one optional 60-credit module plus two optional 30-credit modules.

As part of your optional 30-credit modules you could develop your linguistic skills in other languages such as Chinese and Welsh at beginners’ level or German, Spanish 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. You must study at least one of the intermediate-level modules.

For English, 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.Q30-3,module,A150,,1, which explores language use from various academic perspectives, including creative writing and English language studies.

If you wish to develop your academic language skills, you could also study 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.Q30-3,module,L185,,1.

Alternatively you could develop your linguistic skills with other languages such as Chinese and Welsh at beginners’ level or German, Italian and Spanish which are available at both beginners’ and intermediate level and will give you communication skills in everyday contexts, while introducing you to cultures in which these languages are spoken.

The optional 60-credit module The arts past and present (AA100)The arts past and present::This broadly-focused course introduces you to university-level study in the arts across a range of subject areas - art history, classical studies, English, history, philosophy, music and religious studies. It is structured around four themes, in order to guide you through some of the basic concerns of arts subjects: Reputations; Tradition and Dissent; Cultural Encounters; and Place and Leisure. Your studies will range from poetry to string quartets, and from sculpture to short stories – across a wide variety of cultures and historical periods. This key introductory Level 1 course is also a useful means of acquiring the key skills required for further study of arts and humanities subjects.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-3,module,AA100,,1 introduces you to university level study across a range of subject areas, ranging from poetry to string quartets, and from sculpture to short stories. You should note that A150 is designed to follow AA100.

Stage 2

Stage 2 comprises one French and one English 60-credit module.

The French module, Envol: upper intermediate French (L211)Envol: upper intermediate French::This course builds on Ouverture: intermediate French (L120), 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 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 France (or you can study an online alternative).undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-3,module,L211,,1, will expand your ability to use the language, deepen your cultural knowledge and develop your study skills. It uses an exciting blend of interactive online, audio-visual and print resources to give you a structured overview of key aspects of life in the French-speaking world today. You‘ll study a number of topics including: lifestyle, habitat, culture, the environment, politics, science and technology. You’ll also attend a residential school in France (or study an online alternative). On completing the module, your language proficiency will be at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

The English module, Worlds of English (U214)Worlds of English::What are the origins of the English language? How has it spread internationally? Is the worldwide influence of English a cause for celebration or concern? How is it changing in response to social, cultural, and technological developments? These are just a few of the questions that you will investigate in this course which looks at the history, diversity, and use of English around the world. Using a combination of printed materials and computer-based resources you will be introduced to the major debates in the field, and to some of the ways language is described and analysed.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-3,module,U214,,1, explores how English has evolved in the British Isles, how it has diversified as it spread around the world, and how it is evolving in response to social, cultural and technological change. Using specially recorded audio and video material from across the English-speaking world, you’ll take a critical look at the significance of English in global contexts and analyse its power to simultaneously open up social and economic opportunities for some, and close them down for others.

Stage 3

Stage 3 comprises one French module and a choice between two English options.

The final French module, Mises au point: advanced French (L310)Mises au point: advanced French::This course follows on from Envol: upper intermediate French (L211). It continues to develop your knowledge and understanding of the society and culture of contemporary France and French-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 France and French-speaking countries.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-3,module,L310,,1 (60 credits), uses authentic online audio and video resources and print materials to acquaint you with everyday genres such as interviews, discussions and reportages. You’ll develop intercultural awareness, analytical skills, the ability to write for an academic audience and become an effective communicator in French. The module themes are: history; multicultural France; the media; the arts; science and technology; and expression and identity in the French-speaking world. On completing the module, your language proficiency will be at level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

For English, you study one of two English 60-credit options. You could focus on how English ‘works’ in different contexts, including the media, fiction, academic writing and everyday conversation – English grammar in context (E303)English grammar in context::This course is for you if you’re interested in understanding and analysing how English ‘works’ in a wide range of contexts, including the media, fiction, academic writing and everyday conversation. This course provides an up-to-date framework for describing, analysing and evaluating how the English language is used. It takes a functional approach to grammar and includes hands-on computational analysis of large databases of texts to help you engage with real-world data and problems. Work on this course is both intellectually stimulating and practical.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-3,module,E303,,1. Or you could explore creativity in English, from everyday language (conversation, children’s language, correspondence, online chat) to `high culture’ literary language and new kinds of media texts – The art of English (E301)The art of English::The art of English looks at creativity in the English language: from everyday language use (conversation, children’s language, letter writing, online chat) to ‘high culture’ literary language and new kinds of media texts. You’ll consider how ‘verbal art’ works in a wide range of texts, and the extent to which the seeds of literary creativity may be found in more routine uses of English. The course has an international dimension too, enabling you to explore language use in different parts of the English-speaking world, and should help you consider your own daily experiences of the English language.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-3,module,E301,,1.