The department
The Modern Languages and Cultures (MLAC) department is a friendly department made up of lots of different languages and lecturers from all over the world. The lecturers have such a wide variety of specialist areas and there is so much that you can learn from them – not just how to speak the language.
Learning the language
Obviously, one of the main goals of studying a MLAC degree at Durham University is to improve your fluency in one or more languages. In the Spanish section of the department, we do this through grammar and oral classes each week with about ten students. We focus on the four main skills – speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Beyond the language
Another important part of any MLAC degree at Durham is increasing your cultural awareness of the countries where the language(s) that you study are spoken. This involves anything from looking at literature to films to more current events in order to really learn more about daily life and culture in the relevant countries. Teaching takes the form of lectures where you are presented with new information and seminars where you can discuss the material and your opinions in depth with other students and your seminar leader.
Checking your progress
Throughout the year you can show your progress in lots of different ways such as essays, projects, and speaking assessments. Speaking assessments aren’t anything to be intimidated by! You can even be assessed through group discussions with a couple of your course mates about a given topic.
The big year
All of this work leads up to your year abroad in third year. This is an amazing year where you get to improve your language in the best way possible – living abroad! I’m currently halfway through my year abroad and my Spanish has improved so much since moving to Sevilla in Spain. The MLAC department supports you through this and you also work on a project on your chosen topic in the target language throughout the year.
Top tips
With the smaller grammar and oral classes, you definitely get out what you put in! Make sure that you take part in group discussions so that you can make the most of improving your language skills. I like to use Microsoft To Do to keep on top of any work that I have to do for classes/reading for lectures. But, most importantly, enjoy your time studying your degree and the topics that you love the most!
Discover more
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