Language Centre Options
You can choose from three Language Centre Pathways.
- The Language Specialist
- The Language Taster
- The Certificate in TESOL
All three pathways will provide you with the key, transferable skills which will enable you to understand and interact effectively with people from different counties and different cultures. Importantly, these are skills which we know will enhance employability.
We recognise that, as global citizens, you are involved in communicating in new ways on a global scale. As we move to an ever more interconnected world, we all have a need to blend in and move seamlessly across cultures, either in person or virtually. For example, one day you may need to engage in online discussions with a colleague in Spain, send emails to a partner organisation in Beijing, or you may want to spend a year Teaching English as a Second Language in Japan, Thailand, or Brazil. In fact, the need for language and intercultural understanding was highlighted in a 2021 House of Lords report which noted that skills in these areas are highly valued by employers who see them as vital for a Global Britain.
Pathway 1: The Language Specialist
This pathway allows you to specialise in a particular language and, when combined with your other programme options or additional modules, will enable you to graduate with an enhanced degree title.
You can either start any of our languages from Absolute Beginner, or pick up and continue from where you left off from your earlier studies. Perhaps you have already done a couple of years of Spanish, or you may have GCSE German or A-Level French - you will be able to start at that level and carry on developing your language skills.
We currently offer French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Italian and British Sign Language. If you choose British Sign Language you will be eligible to take the nationally recognised ‘Signature’ Exams.
If you complete 60 credits and reach a high enough level, you may be eligible to graduate with an enhanced degree title with the designation of ‘with competency / advanced competency in e.g. French’.
Please note that not all students will be able to become a language specialist; please see the Enhanced Degree Titles webpage for further information about the routes, and your course page to check for eligibility for Languages.