Centre for Language Studies

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.

Find out more about languages as part of your degree

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.

Find out more about free languages at City, University of London

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

Find out more about extracurricular language courses for Cass undergraduates

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

Find out more our Cultural Modules

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.

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

All our courses are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

This is only a general guide – lecturers will adapt their programme to the linguistic level of the students in the class.

Diagnostic test

If you have prior knowledge in the language you would like to study, we need to test your level in order to place you in the correct class. For this, we will ask you to take an online diagnostic test in which your passive language skills are assessed through multiple choice and gap filling exercises, as well as short texts. It takes about 30 minutes to complete and tasks relate to grammar, vocabulary and reading. There is no speaking or free writing involved. The test is designed for all levels, so if you cannot answer a question you should not worry but just go to the next one.

Please register your interest for studying a language with us by completing the Registration Form/Questionnaire. For courses that are above ‘Beginner’ level, you will be asked to complete a diagnostic test so we can establish your competency in your chosen language.  The deadline for submitting your registration form is 15.00 on Friday 25th September.

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.

If you are interested in taking a language as an extracurricular activity/ not for credit, you may want to register for a language course available on the Languages for General Purposes (LGP) programme.

These are the language options available:

European Languages

• French – at beginner, lower intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced levels
• German – at beginner, lower intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced levels
• Spanish – at beginner, lower intermediate, upper intermediate and advanced levels

Non-European Languages

• Arabic – at beginner level
• Mandarin – at beginner level

The language is taught in the context of day-to-day use and a broad variety of topics will be studied.

Format and timetable

Courses run over term 1 and term 2. There will be one 2-hour session face-to-face teaching per week.

The Beginner & Lower Intermediate level for all languages take place on Tuesday 4pm-6pm and the Upper Intermediate & Advanced level take place Thursday 4pm-6pm. There is no alternative to these slots.

Assessment and certification

Module assessment is 100% coursework. Upon successful completion of your language course, you will receive a certificate to demonstrate your level of proficiency. The course is not part of your degree and marks do not count towards it.

Registration guidelines and restrictions

All City students and staff may apply to take this free-standing module at no extra cost but note that these courses are very popular and spaces are limited – not all applicants may be accommodated.

If a course is oversubscribed we apply the following rules:

• If more students apply for a particular course than spaces available (which is mostly the case for all Beginner courses and some Lower Intermediate courses), free places are allocated on a random basis to the applications received. We do not allocate spaces on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
• If your application is unsuccessful, you will be given priority for a place in the next academic year, provided you are still a student/staff at City University. Please contact the Centre for Language Studies and reference your previous application before the application deadline.
• A degree of priority will also be given to students who have already completed a language course with the Centre for Languages provided they are progressing to the next level.
• For oversubscribed courses, only one application per student will be accepted. Duplicate applications will be removed and the application made for the least oversubscribed course will be counted.
• Applications made after the registration deadline will not be accepted if the course is oversubscribed.
• We will keep a waiting list until after the first class has taken place.
• Any student who does not attend the first class without prior notification to Centre for Languages will lose their place on the course. Their registration will be cancelled and the vacant place will be offered to another applicant.
• If your application was successful, you will be informed at some point after the applications deadline and before the courses start. We will contact you on your City University email.

Learning a language is a commitment. Please only apply for a free/extracurricular language course, if you are sure you can complete it. Otherwise you are potentially taking the place of a student with genuine interest in studying a language.

For undergraduates studying at Cass Business School, we offer language courses in addition to your degree.

You have the opportunity to study a foreign language in the context of Business. We will develop and improve your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills as well as your understanding of the structure of the language. To make the syllabus more relevant to you, much of the vocabulary and topics will be related to the world of Business and Finance.

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

Languages and levels offered

European Languages

• 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

Non-European Languages

• Arabic – beginner
• Japanese - beginner, lower intermediate
• Mandarin – beginner, lower intermediate

The courses will only run if there is sufficient demand. If a course is oversubscribed, the above mentioned rules apply.

Format and timetable

Courses run over Term 1 and Term 2. There will be one 2-hour session face-to-face teaching per week.

Most courses run on Mondays 2pm-4pm or on Wednesdays 4pm-6pm with a few exceptions in the evenings from 6pm-8pm. These slots should suit your Undergraduate time-table.

Assessment and certification

Module assessment is 100% coursework. You will also have the opportunity to complete an online language portfolio during your course.

Upon successful completion of your language course, you will receive a certificate to demonstrate your level of proficiency. The course is not part of your degree and marks do not count towards it.

Eligibility

ONLY undergraduate students studying at Cass Business School (regardless of their year of study) and UG-Cass exchange students are eligible to take these courses. Postgraduate student studying at Cass Business School can join the LGP courses.

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.

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.

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.