Modern Languages
Modern Languages at the University of Southampton is one of the leading centres in the country for the study of foreign languages and cultures, with an excellent track record in delivering high quality language courses to members of the public.
Modern Languages
Languages are the keys to the world.
Evening Courses
We aim to offer an extensive programme to the public, including English as a Foreign Language. Most courses take place in the evening, although some are available during the day. Classes are normally two hours per week over 12 weeks, and the majority are designed to develop all four language skills – speaking, understanding, reading and writing – with an emphasis on speaking and understanding in the class sessions.
The languages we teach include; Arabic, English language, French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Modern Greek, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish.
Modern Languages course listings
Most language classes take place at the University’s Avenue Campus which has excellent language-learning facilities and extensive resources. Once you have enrolled on one of our Modern Language courses you will be able to use these facilities to develop your learning.
Intensive Summer Courses
We also offer intensive beginners courses in French, German, Mandarin Chinese, Modern Greek, Italian, Japanese and Spanish which take place over a one or two week period in June. These are ideal if you wish to acquire the basics in a language before visiting the country or would like to brush up on a language of which you already have some knowledge, and are available to the public.
Our courses are designed to ensure that you make rapid progress in the language you are studying. This means that in addition to attending classes, you will be asked to study independently outside of the classroom. Students who successfully complete both units of a course will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement.
Languages at Lunchtime
In Semester 2, we are also offering less intensive 'Languages at Lunchtime' courses to staff and full time students of the University of Southampton - these also run over 12 weeks, but are one hour per week, and are taught at lunchtime so should fit in conveniently with lunch breaks etc. Languages taught include; Arabic, Chinese, Classical Greek, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish - all at beginner level so ideal for someone wanting a taste of learning a language before committing to the more intensive evening courses.
Languages Stages
Our courses fall into several language stages according to your existing language ability with each stage comprising of two modules; the first of which commences in the week beginning Monday 10 October 2011 with the second and more advanced commencing in the week of Monday 30 January 2012. Each module normally has 12 teaching sessions of two hours.
The majority of students choose to apply for their chosen stage to begin in the October module however, should you be able to demonstrate an appropriate level of knowledge of a language it may be possible to join the second module of a course in January. If you are a complete beginner in Arabic, French, German, Italian or Spanish we also have beginners courses in these languages that commence in the week of 30 January 2012.
The best way to feel confident about your personal language stage is to come along to our Open Evening on 11th January 2012 18:30 - 20:30 at the Avenue Campus, where tutors from each language will be available to give you an informal assesment and help you with your decision.
