BA (Honours) Language Studies: pathway

Stage 1

In Stage 1 you’ll study two compulsory 30-credit German modules.

Rundblick: beginners' German (L193)Rundblick: beginners' German::This key introductory Level 1 course – Rundblick: beginners' German – is designed to develop the skills you need to speak and understand simple German in everyday contexts. It explores life in German-speaking countries and communities worldwide through topics relevant to adult learners – such as impressions of Germany, Austria and Switzerland; travelling; lifestyles; cultural events; and technology. 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 German-speaking countries and communities too.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q30-4,module,L193,,1 is a carefully designed beginners’ module that helps you speak and understand German in a wide range of practical situations, while exploring life in German-speaking communities.

You’ll build on this study in Auftakt: intermediate German (L130)Auftakt: intermediate German::Auftakt: intermediate German follows on from Rundblick: beginners’ German (L193). It revises and consolidates the knowledge of German you already have and teaches more advanced language in the context of German-speaking countries and communities. 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.Q30-4,module,L130,,1. it further develops your proficiency and confidence in understanding, writing and speaking German. You’ll also continue your study of German speaking culture and gain insights into many aspects of life in Germany and Austria and the issues that concern German-speaking people. On completing the intermediate module your language proficiency will be at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

You’ll also choose two 30-credit modules as part of this stage: 

You could develop your linguistic skills in other languages such as French, 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. Alternatively, you could take up Chinese and Welsh at beginners’ level. 

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.Q30-4,module,A150,,1, 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.

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.Q30-4,module,L185,,1.

Stage 2

Stage 2 comprises one German and one English 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.Q30-4,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). 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.Q30-4,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 German module and a choice between two English options.

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.Q30-4,module,L313,,1 (60 credits), 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. 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.Q30-4,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.Q30-4,module,E301,,1.