Applied Languages (Chinese, French, German, Spanish, English as a Foreign Language)

Overview

This BA (Hons) Applied Languages degree course will transform your passion for learning languages into professional communication and linguistic skills.

Study how language works, including specialist topics such as linguistics, communication theory and managing across cultures, in preparation for professional roles in areas such as a translation, interpreting, teaching and tourism.

You can choose to study either:

• Two languages at advanced level: chosen from French, German, Spanish and/or English as a foreign language

• Two languages at different levels: one language at advanced level (chosen from French, German, Spanish or English as a foreign language) and one language at beginner level (chosen from French, German, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish)

More than 60% of adults from the European Union can speak a second language, compared to less than half of the UK population (according to Eurostat 2016). When you graduate, you'll stand out in a population where language skills are lagging behind the rest of the world.

Course highlights

• In year three, study or work abroad in two different countries where your chosen languages are spoken, immersing yourself in their culture so you can build a career across borders

• Choose to specialise in one of four areas, or mix and match:

• teaching and education

• translation and interpreting

• culture and linguistics

• business and industry

• Produce your own translations and build up interpreting experience in real and simulated work environments, so you can prove your skills to employers

• Have the opportunity to study a third language from Arabic, British Sign Language, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish

Options to customise your degree

If you're interested in a career in teaching, you can choose to enhance your degree with additional, widely recognised qualifications in Initial Teacher Training (ITT) or Teaching English as a foreign language

Careers and opportunities

You’ll graduate as a skilled multi-linguist, ready to take on roles across a range of fields.

There’s a growing demand for high quality translators and interpreters – the Association of Translation Companies advised that interpreters be added to the UK government's Shortage Occupation List while Wolfestone has called the UK's foreign language skills shortage 'an unspeakable disaster'.

There's also a growing need for intercultural awareness and communication skills in business. The British Council has stated that "an understanding of other cultures and languages will continue to be important for successful international relationships at all levels" (Languages for the Future, 2017).

What areas can you work in with an applied languages degree?

As the world becomes more closely connected through trade, entertainment, tourism and communications, organisations need employees who can communicate effectively in two or more languages.

You might specialise in a field such as law, finance or medicine, or in environments such as courtrooms, councils and police centres.

This degree broadens your options so you can pursue almost any career. Being multilingual is useful in all sectors, including:

• journalism and the media

• international management

• translation and interpreting

• teaching

• tourism

• finance

• marketing

You could also continue your studies at postgraduate level with a Master's in a subject such as Translation Studies or Applied Linguistics and TESOL.

Whatever career you pursue, our Careers and Employability service will give support and advice for 5 years after you graduate.

Year 1
Core modules in this year include:

• Investigating Language Practices
• Language, Learning & Teaching
• Working with Languages Today

Optional modules

• French Grade 1&2 - General Language
• French Grade 1&2 - Language in Use
• German Grade 1&2 - General Language
• German Grade 1&2 - Language in Use
• Language Project (French)
• Language Project (German)
• Language Project (Mandarin)
• Language Project (Spanish)
• Mandarin Grade 1&2 - General Language
• Mandarin Grade 1&2 - Language in Use
• Spanish Grade 1&2 - General Language
• Spanish Grade 1&2 - Language in Use
• Mandarin General Language Grade 2
• French General Language Grade 3
• German General Language Grade 3
• Spanish General Language Grade 3
• General Language Grade 6 (English)

Year 2

Optional modules in this year currently include:

• French General Language Grade 4
  -German General Language Grade 4
  -Spanish General Language Grade 4
  -Language For Professional Communication
  -Development And Democracy In Latin America
  -East Asian States And Societies
  -Forensic Linguistics: Language As Evidence
  -Introduction To Teaching
  -Introduction To Translation
  -Language And Social Justice
  -Language Of Human Resource Management
  -Second Language Acquisition
  -Tesol (Teaching English To Speakers Of Other Languages)
  -French General Language Grade 3 & 4 (Part 1)
  -German General Language Grade 3 & 4 (Part 1)
  -Mandarin General Language Grade 3 & 4 (Part 1)
  -Spanish General Language Grade 3 & 4 (Part 1)
  -Clinical Linguistics
  -Intercultural Perspectives On Communication
  -Language Project (Mandarin)
  -Language Project Part 2 (French)
  -Language Project Part 2 (German)
  -Language Project Part 2 (Spanish)
  -Managing Across Cultures (Fheq5)
  -Marketing & Communication
  -News, Discourse, And Media
  -Professional Experience L5
  -Transitional Justice & Human Rights
  -French General Language Grade 3 & 4 (Part 2)
  -German General Language Grade 3 & 4 (Part 2)
  -Mandarin General Language Grade 3 & 4 (Part 2)
  -Spanish General Language Grade 3 & 4 (Part 2)
  -Trinity Certificate Teaching Practice

Year 3
On this degree course, you'll spend your third year in 2 countries where your chosen languages are spoken.

Year 4

Optional modules

• Advanced Language Project
  -Business & Markets In A Global Environment (Fheq6)
  -Business Planning
  -Corpus Linguistics And Lexicology
  -Creativity In The Language Classroom
  -Dissertation
  -Forensic Linguistics: Language And The Law
  -France In The World: Global Actor Or Global Maverick?
  -French General Language Grade 6
  -Gender, Language And Sexuality
  -German General Language Grade 6
  -Holocaust Literatures
  -International Security In The Asia-Pacific
  -Interpreting 1
  -Interpreting 2
  -Introduction To Teaching
  -Italian General Language Grade 6
  -Language And Social Media
  -Major Project
  -Mandarin General Language Grade 6
  -Professional Development: Recruiters And Candidates
  -Research Project
  -Spanish General Language Grade 6
  -Spoken Discourse In The Workplace
  -The European Union: A Global Power In The Making?
  -Translation Theory & Practice (Ug)
  -Writing For Different Audiences

You’ll be assessed through:

• oral presentations
• language portfolio
• written essays and reports
• case studies
• book reviews
• blogs
• translations
• commentaries
• interviews
• magazine production
• group and individual projects

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:

Year 1 students: 23% by written exams, 16% by practical exams and 61% by coursework
Year 2 students: 38% by written exams, 7% by practical exams and 55% by coursework
Year 3 students: 100% by coursework
Year 4 students: 7% by written exams, 3% by practical exams and 90% by coursework