Languages for All
We have several years of experience in teaching students who are learning a language for the first time, as part or in addition to their degree. Please see the 'Extracurricular' section for more on the language courses we offer outside of our degree schemes.
We are proud of the results achieved by our degree students who are new to languages. In your first year of study, you can study Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish from beginners' or post-GCSE level. We support new language learners by providing additional contact hours and assistance such as the use of language labs, self-access materials, virtual learning environments and online resources during your first 2 years. By the time you reach your final year you will be in the same language classes as students who came in through the advanced route, and your language skills will be comparable.
You can choose to take French, German and Spanish as your main subject at the end of the first year, whereas you can continue to study Italian and Chinese as a minor. You will acquire a strong base on which to build and develop familiarity with linguistic concepts and foster a ‘reflective attitude’ on how language works. This will enable you to develop your own autonomous learning strategies. Our teaching encompasses a broad range of carefully thought through activities that develop mixed forms of learning, as well as guided independent work, and an introduction to cultural aspects in context.
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Extracurricular Language courses Accordion
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Extracurricular French
French for Beginners (A1)
- Frequency: 1.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (24 hours in total)
- Fees: £160
Course Aims and Objectives
The course will introduce the linguistic structures of the chosen language aiming at achieving the level A1 of the Common European Framework. They are delivered in the target language, with a view to immerse the students as much as possible in their language of study (oral situations, role plays, etc.).
This includes basic life situations, such as:
- making and understanding introductions
- asking for, giving and understanding personal information
- buying food and drink, shopping
- asking for and understanding directions
- making travel arrangements
- taking about past and future events using basic structures
Intermediate French – business focus (A2)
- Frequency: 1.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (24 hours in total)
- Fees: £160
Course Aims and Objectives
The course will introduce linguistic structures of the chosen language, together with the lexical skills appropriate to the business world, aiming at achieving level A2 of the Common European Framework.
It will cover business situations, such as:
- job application process
- planning a business trip
- business meetings & presentations
It will also cover topics of a more general nature such as:
- participating actively in formal & informal interactions in both written and spoken language
- giving and understanding instructions, public announcements, etc
- describing own experiences and expressing opinions, wishes, etc
- discussing contemporary issues in the countries where the language is spoken
- reflecting on intercultural differences and how best to address them
Advanced French (B1+)
- Frequency: 1.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (24 hours in total)
- Fees: £160
Course Aims and Objectives
The course will refresh and deepen your knowledge of linguistic structures and conversation skills, in line with the B1/B2 levels of the Common European Framework. It will cover a variety of topics and will touch upon current debates.
During this course you will gain:
- A deeper knowledge of issues relating to intercultural communication
- Confidence in interacting & debating with others in a foreign language
- A better ability in setting out & expressing own arguments, debating & exchanging opinions with others
- Working knowledge in the language relevant for advanced professional interactions, thus boosting your employability
- Skills in working independently on your language skills, and reflecting on your learning
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Extracurricular German
Languages and Culture are pleased to offer extracurricular language courses which are open to Part II and Postgraduate students as well as staff and members of the public wishing to continue their language studies or start a new language.
Courses running over the Michaelmas and Lent terms:
- German for Beginners
- Intermediate German
- Advanced German
German for Beginners (A1)
- Frequency: 1.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (24 hours in total)
- Fees: £160
Course Aims and Objectives
The course will introduce the linguistic structures of the chosen language aiming at achieving the level A1 of the Common European Framework. They are delivered in the target language, with a view to immerse the students as much as possible in their language of study (oral situations, role plays, etc).
This includes basic life situations, such as:
- making and understanding introductions
- asking for, giving and understanding personal information
- buying food and drink, shopping
- asking for and understanding directions
- making travel arrangements
- taking about past and future events using basic structures
Intermediate German – business focus (A2)
- Frequency: 1.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (24 hours in total)
- Fees: £160
Course Aims and Objectives
The course will introduce linguistic structures of the chosen language, together with the lexical skills appropriate to the business world, aiming at achieving level A2 of the Common European Framework.
It will cover business situations, such as
- job application process
- planning a business trip
- business meetings & presentations
It will also cover topics of a more general nature such as:
- participating actively in formal & informal interactions in both written and spoken language
- giving and understanding instructions, public announcements, etc
- describing own experiences and expressing opinions, wishes, etc
- discussing contemporary issues in the countries where the language is spoken
- reflecting on intercultural differences and how best to address them
Advanced German (B1+)
- Frequency: 1.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (24 hours in total)
- Fees: £160
Course Aims and Objectives
The course will refresh and deepen your knowledge of linguistic structures and conversation skills, in line with the B1/B2 levels of the Common European Framework. It will cover a variety of topics and will touch upon current debates.
During this course you will gain:
- A deeper knowledge of issues relating to intercultural communication
- Confidence in interacting & debating with others in a foreign language
- A better ability in setting out & expressing own arguments, debating & exchanging opinions with others
- Working knowledge in the language relevant for advanced professional interactions, thus boosting your employability
- Skills in working independently on your language skills, and reflecting on your learning
-
Extracurricular Spanish
Languages and Culture are pleased to offer extracurricular language courses which are open to Part II and Postgraduate students as well as staff and members of the public wishing to continue their language studies or start a new language.
Courses running over the Michaelmas and Lent terms:
- Spanish for Beginners
- Intermediate Spanish
- Advanced Spanish
Beginners Spanish (A1)
Frequency: 1.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (24 hours in total)
Fees: £160
Course Aims and Objectives
The course will introduce the linguistic structures of the chosen language aiming at achieving the level A1 of the Common European Framework. They are delivered in the target language, with a view to immerse the students as much as possible in their language of study (oral situations, role plays, etc).
This includes basic life situations, such as:
- making and understanding introductions
- asking for, giving and understanding personal information
- buying food and drink, shopping
- asking for and understanding directions
- making travel arrangements
- taking about past and future events using basic structures
Intermediate Spanish – business focus (A2)
- Frequency: 1.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (24 hours in total)
- Fees: £160
Course Aims and Objectives
The course will introduce linguistic structures of the chosen language, together with the lexical skills appropriate to the business world, aiming at achieving level A2 of the Common European Framework.
It will cover business situations, such as
- job application process
- planning a business trip
- business meetings & presentations
It will also cover topics of a more general nature such as:
- participating actively to formal & informal interactions in both written and spoken language
- giving and understanding instructions, public announcements, etc
- describing own experiences and expressing opinions, wishes, etc
- discussing on contemporary issues in the countries where the language is spoken
- reflecting on intercultural differences and how best to address them
Advanced Spanish
- Frequency: 1.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (24 hours in total)
- Fees: £160
Course Aims and Objectives
The course will refresh and deepen your knowledge of linguistic structures and conversation skills, in line with the B1/B2 levels of the Common European Framework. It will cover a variety of topic and will touch upon current debates.
During this course you will gain:
- A deeper knowledge of issues relating to intercultural communication
- Confidence in interacting & debating with others in a foreign language
- A better ability in setting out & expressing own arguments, debating & exchanging opinions with others
- A working knowledge in the language relevant for advanced professional interactions, thus boosting your employability
- Skills in working independently on your language skills, and reflecting on your learning
-
Extracurricular Italian
Languages and Culture are pleased to offer extracurricular language courses which are open to Part II and Postgraduate students as well as staff and members of the public wishing to continue their language studies or start a new language.
Courses running over the Michaelmas and Lent terms:
- Italian for Beginners
- Intermediate Italian
Italian Beginners (A1) – business focus
- Frequency: 1.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (24 hours in total)
- Fees: £160
Course Aims and Objectives
The course will introduce the linguistic structures of the chosen language aiming at achieving the level A1 of the Common European Framework. They are delivered in the target language, with a view to immerse the students as much as possible in their language of study (oral situations, role plays, etc).
This includes basic life situations, such as:
- making and understanding introductions
- asking for, giving and understanding personal information
- buying food and drink, shopping
- asking for and understanding directions
- making travel arrangements
- taking about past and future events using basic structures
- Please note that this course will focus on situations encountered within a business environment
Intermediate Italian – business focus (A2)
- Frequency: 1.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (24 hours in total)
- Fees: £160
Course Aims and Objectives
The course will introduce linguistic structures of the chosen language, together with the lexical skills appropriate to the business world, aiming at achieving level A2 of the Common European Framework.
It will cover business situations, such as
- job application process
- planning a business trip
- business meetings & presentations
It will also cover topics of a more general nature such as:
- participating actively to formal & informal interactions in both written and spoken language
- giving and understanding instructions, public announcements, etc
- describing own experiences and expressing opinions, wishes, etc
- discussing on contemporary issues in the countries where the language is spoken
- reflecting on intercultural differences and how best to address them
-
Extracurricular Chinese
The Confucius Institute offers a number of extracurricular classes, open to all. Learn to speak, read & write in Chinese, exercise your body with Tai Chi & Wu Shu, or practice your skill at Chinese Painting & Calligraphy.
Please contact ci@lancaster.ac.uk with any questions, including about enrolment.
If you cannot find a class that you can attend, or if you would like to see us offer something different, please visit us in The Roundhouse or contact the Confucius Institute for a discussion. We are here to help!
Language Courses
We hold termly courses teaching Mandarin Chinese, with classes for numerous levels of ability. Anyone and everyone is welcome to learn, and classes are available to attend and repeat at your leisure.
Tai Chi & Wushu Courses
The numbers in our classes teaching forms of Chinese Kung Fu have been steadily growing over the past few years, and we hope to continue offering these ever-more popular sessions. As with our language classes, we have courses scheduled regularly each term with different levels for both beginners & more advanced learners, and all are welcome to attend. For more information please visit Cultural classes webpage.
In addition, we have been delighted to hold 2 weekly drop-in Tai Chi classes in Lancaster city centre. These classes are been intended especially for members of the public who would like to learn Tai Chi, but cannot necessarily attend classes regularly at Lancaster University.
Calligraphy & Chinese Painting Course
Chinese calligraphy is an art form all of its own, and recent displays of Chinese artwork in events organised by the Confucius Institute have been met with great success. We are therefore very eager to see the response for this course, and of course, anyone interested should please visit us in The Roundhouse, or contact us via email to learn more.
Note: While we expect to always be able to provide Chinese Language courses, thanks to the tireless work of our teaching staff, classes such as Chinese Painting and Calligraphy may not always be available. Please visit us in The Roundhouse if you would like to talk with us, to find out more about any of our classes, or to suggest potential courses you might like to see us provide.
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Extracurricular Dutch
Languages and Culture are pleased to offer extracurricular language courses which are open to Part II and Postgraduate students as well as staff and members of the public wishing to continue their language studies or start a new language.
Dutch for Beginners (A1)
Frequency: 1.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (24 hours in total)
Fees: £160
Course Aims and Objectives
The course will introduce the linguistic structures of the chosen language aiming at achieving the level A1 of the Common European Framework. They are delivered in the target language, with a view to immerse the students as much as possible in their language of study (oral situations, role plays, etc).
This includes basic life situations, such as:
- making and understanding introductions
- asking for, giving and understanding personal information
- buying food and drink, shopping
- asking for and understanding directions
- making travel arrangements
- taking about past and future events using basic structures
-
Extracurricular Arabic
Languages and Culture are pleased to offer extracurricular language courses which are open to Part II and Postgraduate students as well as staff and members of the public wishing to continue their language studies or start a new language.
Arabic for Beginners (A1)
- Frequency: 1.5 hours a week for 16 weeks (24 hours in total)
- Fees: £160
Course Aims and Objectives
The course will introduce the linguistic structures of the chosen language aiming at achieving the level A1 of the Common European Framework. They are delivered in the target language, with a view to immerse the students as much as possible in their language of study (oral situations, role plays, etc).
This includes basic life situations, such as:
- making and understanding introductions
- asking for, giving and understanding personal information
- buying food and drink, shopping
- asking for and understanding directions
- making travel arrangements
- taking about past and future events using basic structures
Extracurricular Language Courses
We offer Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Italian and Spanish classes at various levels, open to Lancaster students and staff as well as members of the public, see the timetable for details and register via the online store.
Chinese classes are also offered through the Confucius Institute.
Chinese classes through the Confucius Institute