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Modern Languages and Linguistics BA (R9Q1)

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Explore our Modern Languages and Linguistics degree at Warwick

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2a

R9Q1

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Bachelor of Arts (BA)

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4 years full-time, normally including a year abroad

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26 September 2022

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Modern Languages and Cultures

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University of Warwick

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Our flexible Modern Languages and Linguistics (BA) degree programme allows you to acquire an in-depth knowledge of one or two languages while exploring the social contexts of language.

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This joint honours degree is split 50:50 between Modern Languages and Linguistics. The degree will enable you to gain expertise in one or two languages while exploring the social contexts of language as well as how language is acquired.

You can choose one of two different routes on this degree:

On route one (one language), you specialise in one language and culture.
On route two (two languages) you focus on two major languages. Both routes enable you to spend half your time studying in the Centre for Applied Linguistics.

On route one you can choose your major language from: French, German, Italian or Spanish. This route enables you to select cultural modules focused on your major language and/or selected from the wide range of cultural options offered within the School.

On route two you choose one language from: French, German, Italian or Spanish. Your second language will be selected from: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian or Spanish.

On both routes, you will normally spend your second or third year abroad, consolidating and enhancing your learning. If you are taking two languages, you can split the year between your languages.

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Route one

In your first year you will take a module in your chosen language (French, German, Italian or Spanish) and one module focusing on the cultural contexts of that language, or on translation methods and practice. You will also take three core modules from Linguistics:

Linguistics: Understanding Language
Language in Society
Research, Academic and Professional Skills

In your intermediate year you will continue to study your chosen language. You will select further modules from the wide range of options available across the School.

You will take the following Linguistics modules:

Linguistics: Structure, Sound and Meaning
Sociolinguistics

You will also have a choice between two modules:

Intercultural Business Communication
Qualitative Methods for Undergraduate Research

You will spend your second or third year abroad consolidating your linguistic and intercultural skills. You will continue to study your chosen language in final year and will be able to choose from the full range of final-year modules available in the School.

In Linguistics you will study 'Communication Modes' and a further module of your choice. You will also complete a Linguistics dissertation.

Route two

In your first year you will take two language modules. You will also take three core modules from Linguistics:

Linguistics: Understanding Language
Language in Society
Research, Academic and Professional Skills

In your intermediate year you will continue to study your chosen languages. You will take the following Linguistics modules:

Linguistics: Structure, Sound and Meaning
Sociolinguistics

You will also have a choice between two modules:

Intercultural Business Communication
Qualitative Methods for Undergraduate Research

You will spend your second or third year abroad consolidating your linguistic and intercultural skills. You will continue to study your chosen languages in final year.

In Linguistics you will study 'Communication Modes' and a further module of your choice. You will also complete a Linguistics dissertation.

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We employ a variety of teaching styles within the School of Modern Languages including:

Lectures
Seminars
Written and spoken language classes in small groups

You will spend the rest of your time:

Studying independently
Preparing for classes
Reading
Analysing materials set for study
Writing essays
Working on your language skills

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Seminars of around 15 students.

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14 hours per week.

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We will track your progress through:

Language assignments
Essays
Presentations
Portfolio submissions
Examinations (written and oral)

To help you improve your skills you will receive detailed and personalised feedback throughout your course.

Your intermediate and final year marks each contribute 50% of your final degree classification.

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Study abroad

We strongly recommend that you take a year abroad as part of your modern languages degree, if you are able to. If you are unable to take a year abroad you may move to a three-year degree. In such cases, you will be required to complete further language reinforcement work. You will also be encouraged to spend time abroad in other ways, during vacation times.

You will usually spend your year abroad doing one of three things:

Working as a language assistant teaching English in a primary or secondary school
Studying full-time at a partner university in your chosen country
On a work placement

The year abroad options are flexible.

Find out more about flexible Year Abroad options.

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At what level can I learn each language?

For the one-language route, you can study French, German, Italian, or Spanish at any level.
For the two-language route, one of your languages must be post A level French, German, Italian or Spanish. Your other language can be at any level (dependent on prior qualifications/experience)
Mandarin Chinese can be taken from beginner, intermediate or post A level (or equivalent) level maximum. Applicants with Mandarin Chinese language ability above this level, including native speakers, would not be able to study this language.
Arabic, Japanese or Russian can usually only be taken at beginner’s or GCSE level. If you have any prior learning of the language please contact ugadmissions at warwick dot ac dot uk before applying.

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A level typical offer

AAB to include a language.

A level additional information

For the 2-language pathway, you must possess an A level in your first language choice (French, German, Italian or Spanish).

A level contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is ABB. For the 1-language pathway you will need grade B in a modern foreign language or Latin/Ancient Greek. For the 2-language pathway you will need grade B in the language chosen as language 1 (French, German, Spanish or Italian) for 2-language pathway. See if you’re eligible.

General GCSE requirements

Unless specified differently above, you will also need a minimum of GCSE grade 4 or C (or an equivalent qualification) in English Language and either Mathematics or a Science subject. Find out more about our entry requirements and the qualifications we accept. We advise that you also check the English Language requirements for your course which may specify a higher GCSE English requirement. Please find the information about this below.

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IB typical offer

36 to include 5 in a Higher Level language

IB additional information

For the 2-language pathway, you must be taking your first choice language (French, German, Italian or Spanish) at Higher Level.

IB contextual offer

We welcome applications from candidates who meet the contextual eligibility criteria and whose predicted grades are close to, or slightly below, the contextual offer level. The typical contextual offer is 34. For the 1-language pathway you will need grade 5 at Higher Level in a modern foreign language or Latin/Ancient Greek. For the 2-language pathway you will need grade 5 at Higher Level in the language chosen as language 1 (French, German, Spanish or Italian). See if you’re eligible.

General GCSE requirements

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We welcome applications from students taking BTECs alongside an A level in a language; if you select the 2-language pathway, you should have an A Level in your first language choice (French, German, Italian or Spanish).

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Year One

Language 1 (French, German, Italian or Spanish)

Cultural module in Language 1/School of Modern Languages and Cultures translation module

Language 2 (Arabic†, Chinese**, French, German, Italian, Japanese†, Russian† or Spanish)

Linguistics: Understanding Language

What is language? What is it made of? What rules do we follow when we put sounds together to create words and when we combine words to create sentences? How many languages are spoken in the world today, and in which ways are they similar or different? These are some of the questions that you will explore on this module. Using examples from different languages, you will analyse real-life language data in order to develop the practical skills required for linguistic analysis.

Language in Society

In this module, you will learn to unpack the ways in which language shapes and is shaped by society. You will analyse critically how language operates in different linguistic and cultural settings, using a range of theoretical concepts, empirical research and methodologies to understand, describe and interpret language use in society. This includes an investigative study of language use, during which you will also develop your communication and study skills.

Research, Academic and Professional Skills

Providing a foundation for modules ET214 (Qualitative Research) and ET215 (Quantitative Research Methods), this module will help you develop the research, academic and professional skills needed to succeed at university and beyond. You will explore research, data-collection and analytical methodologies, using real-life examples of language, culture and communication. You will develop an analytical toolkit to serve you in multiple contexts, including your future career. You will also become familiar with research conventions, including ethical approval, literature review, communication and critical understanding of academic writing.

Intermediate Year

Language 1

Cultural modules in Language 1 (including an optional cross-cultural module in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures)

Language 2

Linguistics: Acquisition and Use

What do the world’s languages have in common and how are they different? Why do languages change? How is language acquired? Does language influence how we think? Drawing on concepts introduced in ET118 (Linguistics: Understanding Language), you will acquire core knowledge and skills in all fields of language study, including more advanced study of phonetics, and the phonological and morpho-syntactic features of a wide range of the world’s languages and dialects. You’ll explore methodologies from a range of linguistic disciplines to document, study and analyse real-world language data. You’ll also be introduced to research in subfields of linguistics, such as second language acquisition and language change.

Sociolinguistics

Why do we speak differently in different situations? Can you identify the features of a Geordie and a Scouse accent? Do men and women speak differently, and if so, why? These are questions you will explore as we examine the relationship between language use and social context. Building on module ET119 (Language in Society), you will develop a greater understanding of linguistic variation. With the opportunity to conduct your own research study, you can expect to complete your course armed with a set of theories, insights and skills to enable you to address such questions, and to explore your own questions about the role of language in society.

Intercultural Business Communication

Qualitative Research

In this module, you will develop your ability to conduct qualitative research on language, culture and communication related topics and issues. As well as content from engaging lectures and seminars, you will drive your own learning by designing, carrying out and writing up your own original qualitative research project on a language, culture and communication issue or topic you are interested in. You will be guided every step of the way through constructive feedback and reflective tasks as you put your qualitative toolkit into practice to build your own theoretical ideas about language, culture and communication. Additionally, this module is designed to give you an opportunity to develop skills and attributes you need to be able to conduct research in the future including resilience, intellectual curiosity, confidence in making decisions, personal and project management and critical thinking. The ability to conduct research is a highly sought-after skill by employers as the world becomes increasingly reliant on research-informed insights and this module arms you with a toolkit to meet this need.

Final Year

Language 1

Cultural modules in Language 1 (including an optional cross-cultural module in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, or an approved outside option)

Language 2

Communication Modes

In this module, you will learn how the sounds, gestures and facial expressions we make combine with linguistic choices to give meaning to our messages and influence our interpretation of the messages of others. You will develop a deeper awareness of the impact of different modes of communication and increase your understanding of the research and analysis that underpin our knowledge of human communication in all its complexity.

Linguistics Dissertation

^Year Two or Three depending on when the year abroad is taken

†Arabic/Russian/Japanese: These languages can usually only be taken at beginner’s or post-GCSE (or equivalent) level maximum. The course aims to bring you to B2 standard (CEFR) in this language (this approximates to A level) or beyond by the end of the degree. If you have any prior learning of the language please contact ugadmissions@warwick.ac.uk before applying.

**Chinese: This language can be taken at beginner’s, post-GCSE or post-A level (or equivalent) level maximum. This course would not be suitable for applicants with language ability above this level, including native speakers.

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(One 15 credit optional module)

English Across Cultures
Professional Communication
Multilingualism and Culture
Quantitative Research Methods

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There may be costs associated with other items or services such as academic texts, course notes, and trips associated with your course. Students who choose to complete a work placement or study abroad will pay reduced tuition fees for their third year.

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At what level can I learn each language? For the one-language route, you can study French, German, Italian, or Spanish at any level. For the two-language route, one of your languages must be post A level French, German, Italian or Spanish. Your other language can be at any level (dependent on prior qualifications/experience) • Arabic (see note below) • Chinese (see note below) • French • German • Italian • Japanese (see note below) • Russian (see note below) • Spanish Chinese Mandarin Chinese can be taken from beginner, intermediate or post A level (or equivalent) level maximum Applicants with Mandarin Chinese language ability above this level, including native speakers, would not be able to study this language Arabic, Japanese or Russian These languages can usually only be taken at beginner’s or GCSE level If you have any prior learning of the language please contact [ugadmissions@warwick.ac.uk] before applying.

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