Studying a language is an important key to developing graduate attributes, that is the skills and capabilities that employers seek in addition to your formal degree qualification. This is something that can really make you stand out from the crowd, particularly when relatively few British graduates have this much-sought after skill.
According to the annual CBI Education and Skills survey 2014, 65 % of firms in the UK expressed the need for foreign language skills as one tool to support their aim of entering new fast-growing markets. Katja Hall, Deputy Director-General of the CBI stresses the benefits of studying a foreign language for students’ future careers.
Whatever your degree subject, the skills required for learning a foreign language are varied. For example, they improve communication skills, in that language as well as in your own, an important transferable skill. Studying a foreign language raises cultural awareness and can expand your opportunities when you are going on placement abroad, in your future career, or when travelling abroad for business or pleasure.
Unilang offers classes in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese as well as British Sign Language, all from beginners' level (stage 1) and some to advanced stages (stage 3, 4, 5) – all subject to availability. The courses offer you the opportunity to develop or improve your foreign language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing as well as raising your cultural awareness and providing you with country-specific information.
- Unilang modules are currently available to full-time students as an embedded option module within a validated programme structure.
- Unilang Option modules are year-long, worth 20 credits each. In some cases, such as semester-long placements, attendance for just one semester can be agreed.
- Classes are taught in weekly two-hour seminars.
- Assessment is by portfolio, one in each semester. Each portfolio contains tests for the four language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Level 5 students on placement in semester 2 will be asked to submit their portfolio electronically.
If you have previous knowledge of the language of your choice we will ask you to complete an online diagnostic test before enrolling. This is to ensure that we place you in the group that is appropriate to your current level.
If you have any questions please email us on: ad.academic.support@northumbria.ac.uk
