Course summary

Proficiency in modern languages could help you to gain a competitive edge in the global jobs market. In both the private and public sectors there is demand for professionals with strong language skills who can work in culturally diverse environments. More than 75 million people speak French as their native language. French is also one of the official languages in Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland and is spoken widely across the North African countries of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. On this degree you will be absorbed into the everyday use of foreign languages as our multi-cultural community includes academics from all over the world, British, exchange and international students, and foreign language assistants. In this degree you will also take a number of units relating to your chosen modern language. Adding a modern language to your degree means you can develop as a more effective communicator, acquire linguistic skills and develop a wider cultural awareness. You can choose from Spanish, Modern Standard Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese. Staff across the department are nationally, and in many cases internationally, recognised experts in their field. With extensive experience in both private and public sector roles, our languages team offer a range of expertise in working across disciplines such as professional interpreting and translating, language teaching, and global consultancy. With such strong local, national, and global links, our Languages team are continuously recognised in the field for their innovation. Initiatives include the globally recognised FLAME project integrating film, language, and media in education. Our French studies students are required to spend a year abroad in France. The experience of being immersed in another culture for several months is one our students find both beneficial and rewarding. They return having made new friends, experienced new places and having grown in confidence.* This course has a foundation year available. *Period of residence abroad will take place in a French-speaking country and will be subject to any international travel restrictions and/or availability. Features and Benefits

• Enhance your employability through internships and volunteering - our award-winning ‘Rise at Manchester Met’ programme encourages you to learn career-ready skills beyond the focus of your course and potentially gain extra academic credits towards your degree.

• We coach practical skills for work including communication skills, presentation skills, essay and report writing, summary skills, interview and questionnaire techniques, and building digital literacy skills for your future employment opportunities.

• Language expertise – The majority of our 30+ academic, research and support staff are native speakers of French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Japanese. We also have multiple connections with language groups across Manchester to ensure you can converse in your chosen language.

• Located in the University’s state of the art Grosvenor East building, you will have access to the Language Resource Centre, providing a range of language learning software and study spaces to practise and interact with languages students from across the programme. We also have a social space for language learners to set up informal language conversation clubs and exchanges.

• Research expertise – academic staff with research into languages specialisms such as the Film, Languages and Media in Education (FLAME): a pioneering research group dedicated to the development of research and knowledge exchange activity in the areas of languages, film and media.

• You will spend your third year abroad in France, allowing you to develop your language skills and immerse yourself in the culture.