- Free language tuition for all eligible first year fee-paying undergraduates
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Learn Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese or Spanish for free
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Courses are available at beginner, intermediate or advanced level
Application deadline: For students who are starting at Aston in September 2012 applications are now closed.
Please read the Languages for All Learning Agreement
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Learn a new language or improve your existing language skills
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Enhance your CV and increase your employability
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Excellent preparation
for placements abroad
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Languages are increasingly in demand from global businesses
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Increase your intercultural awareness
You can choose from the following modules:
Part I runs from October to December and Part II runs from January to May.
Beginners - modules are designed for those with no knowledge of the language
Intermediate - you will need some prior knowledge of the language, usually a GCSE pass at grade C or above.
Advanced - you will need a grade C or above in the same language at AS level, or an equivalent qualification
The Course Director will determine which level of study is appropriate for each student (beginners, intermediate or advanced) based on the information that you supply on your application form. If you are enrolling on an intermediate or advanced module, you may be required to take a test to check your language level.
Home and EU Fee Paying students
All eligible first year fee-paying undergraduates are able to study two 10-credit language modules for free from academic year 2012-13 onwards. The modules are available in your first year of study, and cannot be transferred into subsequent years of study.
If you are a student who entered the University prior to September 2013 you can study a language via the University Wide Language Programme.
International Students
If you are an International fee-paying student, enrolling on an undergraduate degree, you are eligible to apply for the Languages for All programme in your first year of study if you meet the following English Language requirements:
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You are a national of a majority English-speaking country (as defined by the UK Borders Agency): Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, The United Kingdom or The United States of America. Your school of study will ask for evidence of your English Language ability at the time of your initial application (for example a grade C in GCSE English Language for UK nationals or a specified grade in your High School Diploma/APs for US nationals.)
2. You have achieved one of the English Language qualifications:
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IELTS (academic) 8.0
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TOEFL IBT 115
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Pearson (academic) 79
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Cambridge Advanced (CAE) Grade B
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Cambridge Proficiency (CPE) Pass at grade A, B or C
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GCSE English Language (first language only) grade C
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International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma English Standard Level 5
If your qualification does not appear in the list above please contact lss_ugadmissions@aston.ac.uk for advice on the suitability of your qualification.
If you do not meet the English Language requirements listed above you are eligible for free English Language tuition instead.
When do classes take place?
Classes take place either during the standard University teaching day or in the early evening between 4.00 and 8.00 pm, and are structured around undergraduate timetables. They are held every week from week 2 to week 12, and from week 14 to week 24. They are 2 hour sessions, most commonly held late in the afternoon or in the early evening. In addition, several hours per week should be devoted by the student to independent language practice outside the classroom in order to complete work set by the tutor, and practise reading, writing and listening skills.
Assessment and feedback
Assessment is by a short oral presentation and discussion, a 30 minute class listening test, and a 2 hour examination. The exam includes grammar and vocabulary exercises, reading and written comprehension, and written composition. Feedback is given for learning purposes throughout the module in the form of informal, verbal comments on weekly activities; both formative and summative feedback are provided on the oral presentation; written feedback is also given as part of the marking process for the exam.
The School of Languages and Social Sciences has a dedicated Learning Support Team and excellent facilities including:
- 70 computers in 4 rooms
- Streamed satellite television (French, German, Spanish)
- TRADOS and memoQ Translation Software
- Free DVD library (French, Spanish, German, English)
- Audio and video-editing tools
You will be taught by experienced
language tutors who have native level competence in the languages they teach.
Matthew Gostelow, Administrator 'Languages for All'
Tel: 0121 204 3355
Email: languages_for_all@aston.ac.uk
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