Courses for Researchers
Modern Language Programme for research students and
early career researchers 2011-12
The Language Centre is offering a language programme for:
- postgraduate research students (ie people on MRes, MPhil and doctoral programmes)
- early career researchers (i.e. Level 4)
There are a limited number of free places available which will be given to those who can demonstrate how learning a language relates to their research or career plans. You will be expected to attend all classes. These courses are a ‘starting point’ for your language learning and will cover a maximum of two years’ tuition.
The courses start at Beginners’ level (Parts A and B) and continue with Improvers’ level (Parts C and D).
Part A: for learners who have no prior knowledge of the language.
Part B: for students who have completed Part A, or who have some previous experience of the language (about 50/60 hours of study).
Part C: for students who have completed Part B, or who have previous experience - such as GCSE.
Part D: for students who have completed Part C, or who have approximately 1 and a half years of previous study in the chosen language (post GCSE).
Please note: all students who have studied their chosen language in the past will be assessed by a tutor.
In 2011-12, the courses we intend to offer (subject to demand and tutor availability) are:
Courses
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Semester A
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Semester B
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French Part A - Monday
French Part B - Tuesday
French Part C - Monday
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French Part B
French Part C
French Part D
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German Part A - Monday
German Part C - Thursday
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German Part B
German Part D
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Japanese Part A - Wednesday
Japanese Part C - Thursday
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Japanese Part C
Japanese Part D
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Spanish Part A - Wednesday
Spanish Part C - Wednesday
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Spanish Part B
Spanish Part D
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Course Content
Each Part consists of ten weekly sessions of two hours duration. Learners are expected to use the Self Access Centre, a resource centre for language learning C floor of Trent Building, to consolidate and extend work done in class.
Students can take an assessment at the end of Part B and at the end of Part D. This is recommended but is not compulsory. A certificate of achievement is issued to students who complete the assessments.
What will be expected of the student?
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Regular attendance. Attendance will be closely monitored. If students attend less than 7 classes they will forfeit a place on any future language courses. Any sickness absence must be supported by copy of the Medical Certificate submitted to your School otherwise you will be recorded as absent. Absence due to academic commitments (e.g. conference attendance) will be recorded as non-attendance on these courses.
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Commitment / Time
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Active participation in class
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A minimum of 2 hours of self-study per week
What will you learn?
Grammatical rules to manipulate language to suit your needs
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Tools for autonomy
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4 skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing
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Emphasis on spoken language
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Use of language in everyday situations
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Cultural aspects of the country
Class dates /times
Classes take place from 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Each course consists of 10 two-hour classes, at 6.00-8.00pm. In addition, you will be required to undertake at least 2 hours of independent study per week. This is not a course of intensive language tuition.
Semester A: classes will run from the week beginning October 24 to December 16 2011 and continue from the week beginning January 16 to January 27 2012.
Semester B: tbc
NEW!
There may also be a limited number of free places available on the Language Centre’s Evening Language Class programme which is open to the general public, university staff and students. This is for languages not offered on the Language Programme for research students and early career researchers. Details will be given at the Language Information evening you are required to attend (see below). Additional languages include Arabic, Italian, Modern Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Serbian and British Sign Language.
Language Information Evenings
If you have not studied with this programme before, you cannot be registered for an evening class without attending one of the information evenings. These will take place on:
Monday 3 October, at 5.30pm in Engineering and Science Learning Centre A09 (University Park)
Wednesday 5 October at 5.30 in Engineering and Science Learning Centre A09
At these events you should:
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attend the introductory talk, to ensure that you are fully aware of the format of the courses, their workload and demands, the registration procedure and the eligibility criteria
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sign the register, to show that you have attended
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speak to a language tutor who will help you to assess the appropriate level of course foryou. (It is important that you do this if you have ANY previous experience of learning the language you want to study, however little or long ago.) You must get the appropriate language tutor to sign an assessment form, indicating which course will be appropriate for you.
The deadline for registrations will be Monday 10 October. (There will be more information on this website on how to register nearer the time).You will receive an email in the week beginning 17 October, if you have been allocated a place.
Continuing students
If you have already been a student on this Language Programme and wish to continue your study in the same language, you do not need to attend a Language Evening. You will receive an email from the Language Centre, inviting you to register for the class at the next level of the language you are studying.
If you want to study a different language, you will need to see a tutor at one of the Language Evenings, to ensure you are starting at the appropriate level.
Please check this website for updates and changes.
Information on how to register will be added to this website soon.
Marisa Marmo (Language Centre co-ordinator of Modern Language Programme for research students and early career researchers)