Languages evening programme

We offer evening courses in French, German and Spanish, at a range of levels. Our courses are lively and imaginative, with emphasis on the practical use of language and student participation.

Campus	Chester
Length	24 weeks (including assessment)
Start date	September 2011

Levels of Study

Depending on your previous experience and academic achievement, there are classes at beginner, post-beginner, intermediate or advanced level.

Students who are qualified to enter highest level of the evening programme enrol for the Graduate Diploma in Languages. This course consists of final year undergraduate modules in French, German or Spanish. The cultural, social, political and economic background of your countries of study will provide contexts for your language work as you acquire and extend your knowledge and understanding.

Why study the Languages evening programme at Chester?

Our courses enable students to achieve their full potential in their chosen language. Programme staff are dedicated to effective teaching and learning, using a range of methods. You will be taught in a friendly, lively department in a pleasant learning environment.

The department has two digital language laboratories, multimedia facilities and video/satellite TV viewing rooms.

Features:

The programmes involve a variety of learning approaches, making extensive use of audiovisual media and computer-assisted learning as well as written sources. Language classes are in workshop mode and are conducted in the target language.

Next: Modules

Programme Structure:

Beginner level

French/German/Spanish for Communication 1

The first level of the programme is designed to enable students to acquire a range of linguistic knowledge and to establish the basis for further language study.

Post-beginner

French/German/Spanish for Communication 2

The post-beginner classes will enable students to consolidate their basic knowledge and further develop their understanding and use of the language.

Intermediate/Advanced level

French/German/Spanish for Communication 3

This level of the programme is designed to enable students with quite a bit of previous language study (typically 'A' level or above or the previous level of the evening programme) to build on their knowledge and progress to an advanced level.

Graduate Diploma

The focus in the Graduate Diploma is on high-level language skills. Modules combine the advanced level work in French, German or Spanish (you may take two languages) with the study of aspects of contemporary France, Germany or Spain. In addition to taught modules, there are two guided independent study modules. One is a Special Study which enables you to research and write about a specific area of interest, and the other is an Extended Translation which will allow you to develop skills in that area.

Modules:

Translation Techniques and Application (from French, German or Spanish)
French/German/Spanish Language and Society
Business French/German/Spanish
Extended Translation from French/German/Spanish
Special Study
Summary and Synthesis
French/German/Spanish Current Affairs and Media
France/Germany/Spain in Contemporary French Literature
France/Germany/Spain in the Cinema

Next: Assessment

Assessment is varied and spread across each academic year. Depending on the modules you study, you will be assessed via:

Written coursework assignments, such as essays and translations
Presentations and other oral assessments in the target language
Debate or other role play
In-class tests based on recorded or written sources
End of module exams
Extended essay, extended translation

There will be regular opportunities for formative assessment with feedback on your work.

Next: Careers

Knowledge of and qualifications in a language will always enhance employability. Employers in this country are becoming more and more aware of the value of staff who can use languages. Many say that they would be more likely to hire a candidate with language skills than one without, and that they pay bilingual employees up to 20% more.

The transferable skills acquired during your language course will be an asset whatever your employment may be.

Next: Entry requirements

Entry requirements to the Languages evening programme are flexible and each application is assessed individually, taking into account the student's qualifications and experience.

Typical entry requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Languages would be: