Centre for Language Studies

The Centre for Language Studies provides a wide-range of modern language courses as part of students’ degree and as an extra-curricular activity. We also offer cultural modules to study abroad and exchange students.

Language Studies were introduced to City University in 1990 to:

• present languages across the curriculum
• provide language support for international students
• develop external language activities and links with professional bodies.

In 2009 Language Studies was re-organised and two Centres were created. One for the study of Translation and the other, the present Centre for Language Studies as a provider of foreign language programmes across the Institution.

The Centre for Language Studies is part of the School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS). We provide a wide range of language courses across the university, for credit and as an extracurricular activity. We also run cultural modules, mainly to study abroad and exchange students.

Research and development

The Centre staff's research interests focus on Educational Research, particularly on policies within Higher Education, their effects on teaching and learning, assessment of language skills and the use of technology to this effect.

Please note that the application for our language courses have now closed for the academic year 2020/2021.

If you have made an application, please don't worry if you haven't heard back from us yet. We will be in contact with you before the course begins to let you know if we are able to offer you a place.

In the interest of fairness, we place students on courses using a 'lottery system'.

Applicants who followed the correct application procedure before the deadline have been entered into the lottery. However, no one is guaranteed a place on a language course regardless of how early they apply, what programme stage they are in, etc. (Please also see the 'Languages outside your degree' tab under "What happens if a course is oversubscribed")

Our current language classes and cultural modules

The Centre for Language Studies offers three broad categories of course plus Study Abroad and Exchange Programme modules.

Languages as part of your degree (LSP/LBM)

These language modules are taken for credit and offered as tailor-made courses in degree programmes focused on preparing students to work in a globalised workplace.

Free languages for City students and staff (LGP)

These courses are part of a wide-ranging programme of language courses offered at no cost to all students and members of staff at City.

Extracurricular Language Courses (Business School Undergraduates)

The extracurricular courses in languages are taught in the context of Business within the target cultures. They are designed for Business School undergraduate students to learn a foreign language as a free standing module and do not provide any credit towards their degree.

Cultural modules: Study Abroad and Exchange

This programme offers courses for exchange and study abroad students. These students can take a language course as well as the following cultural programmes:

• Performing Arts in London
• Historic London
• European Business Culture

We offer courses in French, German, Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin at various levels. According to a report by the British Council these are the top five foreign languages most relevant to ‘the UK’s future prosperity and global standing’.

We also offer Russian in certain programmes because of Russia’s geopolitical importance and the large number of native speakers it has.

Our programmes develop your communication skills in foreign languages as well as your cultural knowledge of how to live, work and be part of a culturally diverse global society.

Teaching is interactive and based on the communicative approach which emphasises practical use of the foreign language for effective communication.

All language courses are taught by native-speaker lecturers who are also linguists.

Please note that our courses are not for native speakers.

How will I be taught?

All our courses run over Term 1 and Term 2. You will have two face-to-face contact hours per week and there will be additional material on Moodle.

We develop and improve your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills on our modules as well as your understanding of the structure of the language.

You will study events, topics and vocabulary relevant to everyday life and (on the LSP and Business programme) to your studies/ specialism. You will develop and deepen your cultural knowledge related to the countries where the language is spoken.

Each session deals with a mixture of skills. Classroom activities include:

• presentation/input
• drilling
• role-playing
• pair and group work
• work on pronunciation and intonation

as well as grammar in context and if relevant, exercises related to script.

Listening to audio clips and watching videos are also an important element in the class room. More comprehensive grammar exercises and reading texts will be set as homework, which you are required to complete regularly.

All our language courses are assessed.

Please note that studying a language is a commitment and requires regular attendance and self-study.

Resources and generic course content will follow shortly. If you would like more practice outside your language class, you may want to join City’s Language Exchange Society.

Which language to choose?

Generally, we recommend to choose the language you think you may enjoy most as this is the best motivation for your learning. If you still cannot decide, you may find the information in this report interesting:

Languages for the Future report from the British Council

What level am I?

You may be offered to take a language module as part of your degree, for credit, either as a core module or as an elective. This option is available to most Undergraduate students in the School of Arts and Social Science.

It depends on your degree course which language options are available to you and in which part(s) of your studies they are offered. Check with your department which pathway applies to you.

LSP and LBM programmes

We offer European languages - French, German, Spanish and Russian and non-European languages - Arabic and Mandarin.

The European languages are offered as part of the Languages for Specific Purposes Programme (LSP), which means you will study the language in the context of your main degree in Journalism or Social Science.

The vocabulary and topics will be related to the world of Media, Social Science and Culture to make the syllabus more relevant to you.

The non-European languages are offered as part of the Languages for Breadth Module Programme (LBM), which means the language is taught for general purposes.

You can either start a language from scratch or you can build on your existing knowledge.

Here are the levels on offer

Languages for Specific Purposes (LSP)*

• French – beginner, lower intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced levels
• German – beginner, lower intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced levels
• Spanish – beginner, lower intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced levels
• Russian – beginner level.

Languages Breadth Modules (LBM)*

• Arabic – beginner and lower Intermediate levels
• Mandarin – beginner level.

The module will be worth 15 credits per year. It will be studied over Term 1 and Term 2 with assessments during and at the end of the year.

There will be one 2-hour session face-to-face teaching per week. Depending on language you choose, the class will take place either Tuesday 1pm-3pm or Tuesday 4pm-6pm. This slot is scheduled to suit your Undergraduate time-table.

In addition to this, we offer a voluntary support class for students who would like to have more practise. There will also be plenty of material on Moodle to support your self-study.

*Please note that French, German and Spanish at all levels are also available in the LBM programme (for general purposes). This is a fall back option in case we are unable to run one of the modules offered in the LSP programme. Should your chosen LSP module be cancelled due to low student recruitment, we can still place you in an LBM course if you wish.

This programme offers courses for exchange and study abroad students.

These students can take a language course as well as the following cultural programmes:

Performing Arts in London

This module provides an introduction to the Performing Arts in London relevant in particular for short-term visiting students.

• Students will learn to critically review performances and engage in developing transferable skills in the area of art analysis
• The course will also refer to the historical and cultural background of the performances and explore the variety of art forms on offer in the capital and where they can be seen and heard. How the arts are funded and the arts funding process is also considered
• The course begins with an overview of English-speaking theatre with the Tudor monarchy's relationship to theatre, Shakespeare and the Globe and then moves to contemporary times and modern interpretations of performance including dance, opera, musical shows and theatre. It discusses what is perceived as Art, and looks into the issue of High and Popular art.

Art forms discussed and analysed

• Theatre - history, development, influences and venues
• Dance (classic or modern) - development, movements and history
• Opera - history and development, from its origin up to musicals, including their similarities and differences.

Students, accompanied by their lecturer, will attend performances covering these art forms.

Historic London

This module provides students with an insight into the development of modern London through its history and its historical landmarks.

• Students learn to critically assess the historical influences which have shaped modern London through focusing upon a selection of districts which have contributed to the creation of the town
• Students will develop their ability to interpret and analyse the historical influences and pressures on the city from a historical perspective.

Students will visit various sites linked to historical landmarks or symbols

• The Square Mile (City of London) and the City of Westminster - influences and historical development – There will be a focus on why the City of London is financial and the City of Westminster Royal and Political.
• Spitalfields and the impact of immigration from the 16th century onwards.
• Buildings such as the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace and how they all represent the powers of Authority (past and present) and are physical reminders of these authorities.
• The British Museum as an example of Globalisation.

European Business Culture (EBC)

This course is designed for undergraduate students at Cass Business School as well as exchange students who want to understand European business culture in the context of the European Union (EU) and its relevance within the globalisation of our economies and societies.

It is taught in English and does not require the understanding of any language other than English.

• Throughout the course the students develop their knowledge of European business culture and its dynamics in today's globalised economy from social, economic and political perspectives
• The course helps students to synthesise the most important information within this business culture and its relevance to creating and effectively doing business across the EU.