If you’re interested in learning languages as part of your degree, Warwick has plenty of opportunities available! GSD can offer some flexibility in module choices (you can check how much for your specific degree on the page for single honours students and joint honour students), so you can take a language course as one of your optional modules.

I took a Spanish module in my first and second years. If you don’t have enough free credits, or just don’t want the pressure of your grades counting, you can also take a language as an extra class, although you will need to pay in this case. You can do this either as an academic module (the same classes you can take as a module) or through Lifelong Learning (evening classes open to members of the public) – more information is available at both of these links. As well as Spanish, I also took Arabic through Lifelong Learning in my first year. I really enjoyed the course, and because it was through Lifelong Learning I got to meet people of all ages and backgrounds, which offered a bit of variety from my other classes.

If you want to keep up your language practice but don’t want to take formal classes, you can also take advantage of regular Language Cafes organised by the Language Society, where students can go and practice their language skills with other students. This gives you the opportunity to practice with native speakers and share your own language skills if you speak a second language.

The Language Society also has loads of other fun activities. If you’re really passionate about a specific language, there are also societies for pretty much every language and culture. They are all really eager to welcome any member, even if you don’t necessarily speak the language in question.

Finally, if you want to really become fluent in a language, GSD can offer you the opportunity to study abroad. There is the option to take an intercalated year, between your second and third years, which extends the duration of your course by one year. For instance, I’m going to spend next year in Brazil, and I'm hoping to improve my Portuguese by the end of it. You don’t necessarily need any language skills before going and you can follow classes in English in lots of places, so there are opportunities for everyone. Warwick has partners on nearly all continents (you can check the full list here), although this depends on availability. If you're interested in a year abroad, you can discuss this with your personal tutor as soon as first year.

Languages are an amazing asset and a great addition to your degree, so I really hope this post convinces you to pursue one when you come to Warwick!

Charlotte Flechet

Second-year Single Honours GSD student

Friday 1 May 2020