The description of the levels in the table below applies to all Languages. However, not every language level is available each year. Please refer to our Languages We Offer: Levels and Timetable page for current information about available classes.

Level

Module Code

Description

Beginner

CERF/
A1.1

1011

The module provides those with no without previous knowledge of the language with a basis in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. It introduces you to the sounds, basic structures, common vocabulary and expressions of the language and is designed to enable you to understand and communicate in a range of everyday and practical situations. It also offers an insight into some aspects of social, cultural and professional life in the parts of the world where this language is used.

The syllabus is built around topics, situations and activities designed to develop your ability to understand and communicate in the language at an elementary level, in a variety of practical, straightforward simple situations. You will practise pronunciation and oral work, carry out listening tasks, build a basic vocabulary, learn to recognise and employ simple language structures, develop your reading and writing skills. You will study the language appropriate to specific topics and situations and thus grow an awareness of the social contexts in which the language is used.

The following topics provide an indication of areas commonly covered:
• Introducing yourself and family
• Describing where you live
• Indicating hobbies and interests
• Giving information about studies
• Using numbers in relevant contexts
• Telling time, giving days, months, years
• Make invitations and appointments
• Understanding and Giving directions
• Buying and ordering (Using the language of) food and drink
• Going shopping

     

Post-Beginner

CERF /
Level A1.2

1021

The module enables students who have a limited knowledge of the language to progress to a level of basic survival competence in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. It helps you to revise the sounds, basic structures, common vocabulary and expressions and develop them to a higher level; as well as creating an awareness of register and context, from everyday language to practical and vocationally oriented situations. It also offers an insight into some aspects of the social and cultural life in the parts of the world where this language is used.

The syllabus will typically include a wide range of exercises and activities designed to improve the student's ability to understand the spoken and written in the foreign language of their choice; and to produce their own written and spoken forms in their chosen language. Activities include practical language exercises, vocabulary building and role-plays.

The syllabus is built around situations and topics designed to develop your ability to understand and communicate in the language at a basic level, in a variety of practical, simple everyday situations. You will practice pronunciation and speaking, carry out listening tasks, expand your vocabulary and knowledge of grammatical structures, further your reading and written skills. You will study the language appropriate to specific topics and situations as well as becoming more aware of the social contexts in which the language is used.

The following topics provide an indication of areas commonly covered:
• Introducing yourself and other students
• Describing your house and town in detail
• Talk and ask questions about hobbies and interests
• Discuss your studies and university life
• Talk about food and drink in detail, express preference
• Have conversations in shops, compare goods
• Plan a journey (book tickets and rooms)
• Talk about past events
• Express plans for the future
• Write a simple CV

 

 

 

 

Lower Intermediate
(Post GCSE)


CERF /
Level A2

1112

The module enables students who have GCSE qualification or equivalent of the language to progress to a more confident competence in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. It helps you revise the sounds, structures, vocabulary and expressions of the language; and develop them to a higher level as well as building on the awareness of register and context, from everyday language to practical and vocationally-oriented situations where genuine communication is necessary. It also offers an insight into more aspects of the social and cultural life in the parts of the world where this language is used.

The syllabus is built around situations and topics designed to develop your ability to understand and communicate in the language at a more proficient level in a variety of practical every day and business situations. You will practice pronunciation and speaking, carry out listening tasks, expand your vocabulary and knowledge of grammatical structures, further your reading and written skills as well as developing research and presentation skills in the language. You will study the language appropriate to specific topics and situation, analyse the social context in which the language is used.

The following topics provide an indication of areas commonly covered:
• Introduction in business situations
• Researching and presenting towns of the country/ compare with your own
• Plan business trips, write itineraries,
• Solve problems when travelling, eating out or shopping
• Education in the country, compare with your own
• Read job advertisements, write CV and simple application letter
• Research traditions of the country and compare with your own
• Talk about past, present and future events and express your own opinion

 

 

 

Intermediate
(Language in Context)


CERF /
Level B1.1

1213

The module will enable students with an AS level qualification or equivalent of the language to improve the fluency, range and depth of their use of the foreign language in the four main areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

The module aims to improve your ability to understand and read authentic and up to date easy texts and newspaper articles, explore the language, register and vocabulary used in them. Talking about the content helps you to develop your knowledge of the society, culture and traditions and your oral skills as well as preparing you to express yourself in writing. You will also be able to improve on your research and presentation skills

The syllabus is built around various topics designed to develop your ability to understand authentic texts, talk about the content, express your opinion, take sides, and research the topics in greater depth, present learning outcomes in oral and written form. By examining the language used, you will be able to expand your knowledge of structures, vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.

Some of the following topics are commonly covered, others will arise from up to date developments within the country:
• events/traditions
• advantages/disadvantages of sports
• development in the food industry from fast food to slow food
• geography
• economy
• history
• Language and dialects
• prejudices and misconceptions

 

 

 

Intermediate
(Practical)


CERF /
Level B1

1223

The module provides students who have an As level of the language or have equivalent competence with the opportunity to improve their fluency and accuracy in the foreign language in more formal contexts, which will prepare them for a workplace environment. It is designed to offer a sound basis in oral, aural and written work.

The aim will be to build the ability to communicate at a basic level in a working environment. A wide range of activities are undertaken, such as practical language exercises, writing of formal emails, invitations and letters, translation into English and the foreign language ,vocabulary-building work and presentation skills. Reading of advertisements and descriptions as well as listening to dialogues will improve understanding of the language.

The syllabus will typically focus on a systematic review of grammar points to consolidate students’ knowledge and understanding; translation into English and the foreign language, description of people, objects and processes, planning of business/educational trips, research which will lead to oral presentations, with the emphasis on pronunciation, accuracy and presentation skills.
A series of ‘’How to’’ sessions, such as:
- How to write a formal email;
- How to make a formal phone call
- How to read job adverts, write CVs and letters of application
will prepare students for a work placement.

Topics will be reinforced and listening understanding improved through the use of aural passages and film clips.

 

 

 

Higher Intermediate
(Language in Context)


CERF /
B1.2/B2.1

1314

The module will enable students with an A level qualification or equivalent of the language to improve the fluency, range and depth of their use of the foreign language in the four main areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

The module aims to improve your ability to read, understand and react to authentic, up to date, wide ranging texts and newspaper articles, explore the language, register and vocabulary used in them. The texts provide a starting point for tasks that demand real communication in the language. Talking about and discussing the content helps you to develop your knowledge of the society, culture and use of language, form an opinion and expand your oral skills as well as improving the depth and accuracy of a variety of written compositions. You will also be able to build on your research, presentation and analytical skills.

The syllabus is built around various topics designed to develop your ability to understand authentic texts, talk about the content, form and express your opinion on matters fluently and confidently, take sides, debate and research the topics in depth, present learning outcomes orally and in a variety of written compositions. By examining the language used, you will be able to expand your knowledge of structures, vocabulary and idiomatic expressions, so that you feel at home with the language.

Some of the following topics are commonly covered, others will arise from up to date developments within the country:
• events/traditions
• advantages/disadvantages of sports
• development in the food industry from fast food to slow food
• geography
• economy
• history
• Language and dialects
• prejudices and misconceptions

 

 

 

Higher Intermediate
(Practical)


CERF /
B1.2/B2.1

 1324

The module will enable students with an A level qualification or equivalent of the language to improve their fluency and accuracy in the foreign language in more formal contexts, which will prepare them for a workplace environment. It is designed to offer a sound basis in oral, aural and written work.

The aim will be to build on the ability to communicate in a working environment. A wide range of activities are undertaken, such as practical language exercises, writing of formal emails, invitations and letters, translation into English and the foreign language, vocabulary-building work, research, evaluation and presentation skills. Reading of advertisements and descriptions as well as listening to dialogues will improve the understanding of the language.

The syllabus will typically focus on a systematic review of grammar points to consolidate students’ knowledge and understanding; summary, translation into English and the foreign language, research will lead to the planning of business/educational trips and analysing, presenting and discussing results.

The use of aural passages will reinforce topics and grammar points; oral presentations, with the emphasis on pronunciation, accuracy and presentation skills will also include discussion and comparison; a series of ‘How to’ sessions, such as:
- How to use a dictionary;
- How to write in a formal context;
- How to read and compare job adverts, write CVs and letters of application
and will prepare students for a work placement.

 

 

 

Advanced
(Language in Context)


CERF /
B2.2/C1.1

2315

The module provides students who have passed 1314/1324 (or who have equivalent competence) with the opportunity to develop further their ability to communicate in the foreign language in prepared and ad hoc contexts. The four main areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing will be practiced in depth. The contemporary, topic based content, consisting of authentic up to date texts, newspaper articles is the starting point for in depth research of key socio-cultural issues of the country. This will develop your analytical skills, vocabulary, relate to literature or historical documents and provide you with facts and a comprehensive knowledge of the topic, which will then enable you and give you greater confidence to debate/discuss the texts in context. This will eventually lead you to research and prepare topics for discussions independently. Listening material will not only improve your understanding of the spoken language but also contribute to the topics. The in depth preparation of the topics will help you to write various forms of composition. The taking and presenting of class minutes will not only help you to reflect the learning process but also prepare you for real life situations e.g. in the work place.

The texts and articles will typically touch on:
• History of the country
• Universities and student concerns
• Language
• Economy
• Current issues
• Working in the country

 

 

 

Advanced
(Practical)


CERF /
B2/C1

2325

The module provides students who have passed 1314/1324 (or who have equivalent competence) with the opportunity to improve further their fluency and accuracy in the foreign language with emphasis on business related topics and links to students’ core subjects. It is designed to build on the sound basis already acquired in oral and written work. 

A wide range of activities are undertaken, such as practical language exercises, translation into the foreign language, dictionary and vocabulary-building work, reinforcement of structures, writing of business letters and successful applications, communicating in business situations, in depth research and evaluation of material and the writing of reports. You will work with authentic materials relating to the business world. The module also provides you with useful language skills that will help you to benefit fully if you are preparing for a Year Abroad.

The syllabus will typically focus on: in depth research with emphasis on material in the foreign language, evaluating material; report writing and organising conferences; translation into the foreign language, interpreting, to reinforce grammar points covered; language activities based on business contexts (jobs and applications, including interview skills, advertisements, financial matters, business correspondence); listening to passages and reading authentic material will reinforce understanding in the language, and series of ‘How to’ sessions, such as:
- How to write and present a report;
- How to locate and collate information;
- How to write CVs and a range of letters;
- How to communicate effectively in the foreign language on the phone, via skype, by email and in presentations.

 

 

 

Towards Mastery
(Language in Context)


CERF /
C1.2/C2.1

3316

The module provides students who have passed 2315/2325 (or who have equivalent competence) with the opportunity to develop further their ability to communicate in the foreign language in prepared, unprepared and ad hoc contexts. 

The four main areas of listening, speaking, listening and writing will be practiced in depth. The contemporary, topic based content, consisting of authentic, up to date texts, newspaper articles and excerpts from literature is the starting point for in depth research of key socio-cultural issues of the country. Analytical skills will be consolidated, vocabulary expanded, the link to literature or historical documents will provide you with a greater knowledge, which will enable you to prepare and lead debates/discussions in class. Listening material will not only improve your understanding of the spoken language but also contribute to topics. The in depth preparation of the topics will help you to compose a variety of written work of higher sophistication. The taking and presenting of class minutes will not only help you to reflect the learning process but also prepare you for real life situations, e.g. in the work place.

You will learn and improve your skills in summarizing, reflecting and analysing, managing of group activities like debates/ discussions. Furthering of your research skills will help you to gather, analyse and evaluate new material and at the same time expand your vocabulary and language structures.

The texts and articles will typically touch on:
• History of the country
• Language
• Economy
• Current affairs
• Culture
• Films and literature

 

 

 

Towards Mastery
(Practical)


CERF /
C1.2/C2.1

 3326

The module provides students who have passed 2315/2325 (or who have equivalent competence) with the opportunity to develop further their fluency and accuracy in the foreign language with emphasis on business related topics and links to students’ core subjects. It is designed to build on the advanced basis already acquired.
A wide range of activities are undertaken, such as practical language exercises, translation into the foreign language including some analysis, dictionary and vocabulary-building work, perfecting structures, writing of business letters and successful applications, communicating in business situations, in depth research, evaluation and analysis of material and the writing of reports.
You will work with authentic materials relating to the business world. The module also provides you with useful language skills that will help you to benefit fully if you are preparing to work abroad.

The syllabus will typically focus on: in depth research with emphasis on material in the foreign language, evaluating and analysing material; report and program writing and organising conferences; translation into the foreign language, interpreting, grammar , language activities based on business contexts (jobs and applications, including interview skills, advertisements, financial matters, business correspondence); listening to passages and reading authentic material will reinforce understanding in the language, and series of ‘How to’ sessions, such as:
- How to write and present a report;
- How to locate and collate information;
- How to write CVs and a range of letters;
- How to communicate effectively in the foreign language on the phone, via skype, by email and in presentations.