Linguistics and a Modern Language (BA)

We employ a range of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, language classes, and workshops. 

Lecture content provides an overview of the key concepts and frameworks for a topic, equipping you with the skills to carry out independent research for the seminars and to develop and try out your own ideas. 

These materials may be delivered to you in face-to-face format or provided in a digital format so that you can study them at your own pace and convenience.

Seminars are interactive classes that consist of a small group of students and a member of the module teaching team. They may take various formats, including plenary group discussion, small group work and student-led presentations. Seminars provide a dynamic environment in which you can explore and critically engage with the ideas and debates outlined in lectures. 

Our modern language teaching focuses on active learning and meaningful student participation. Ample opportunities are provided to regularly practise and develop the key language competencies and skills while classes are designed to expand your linguistic proficiency in the modern language you’ve chosen and to enhance your confidence and communication skills in a friendly and supportive environment. 

Class preparation and independent study form a key part of your learning. Between classes, you’ll prepare material, evidence and arguments, and complete tasks individually or in groups.

Research is central to the student experience at Cardiff University and all our teaching is informed by the latest findings.

Our teaching methods foster intellectual skills, such as critical thinking, close analysis, evaluating evidence, constructing arguments, using theory and the effective deployment of language in writing and in debate. We also help you gain experience in team working, independent research and time management in a supportive environment.

How will I be supported?

You’ll be guided through your studies by a Personal Tutor, who is able to advise you on academic issues. If you encounter any problems which affect your studies, your personal tutor should always be your first point of contact. You’ll meet with your personal tutor twice during each academic year, but you are encouraged to get in touch with them at any other time if you need help or advice. All academic staff also have designated hours where they are available to meet with students.

During your year of study or work abroad, you’ll be assigned a Year Abroad Coordinator, who will keep in touch with you and monitor your progress.

Each module has its own dedicated space on the Cardiff University Virtual Learning Environment where you’ll be guided through the weekly activities and tasks you need to complete. You’ll have access to shared learning materials and resources such as lecture recordings, language tasks and resources, information about assessments and links to digital resources including the library materials available in electronic format. 

Professional Services staff in our Student Hub are available to answer your questions while dedicated Student Support Officers can provide you with the necessary advice and guidance in a supportive, caring and confidential environment.

Student Life, located in the Centre for Student Life, offers a range of services. These support services encompass: Advice and Money, Student Futures, Counselling, Health and Wellbeing, the Student Disability Service, Academic Study Skills and Student Mentoring, and excellent libraries and resource centres.

How will I be assessed?

Our assessments are designed to support you in developing your ideas, skills and competencies. They encourage you to be innovative and creative, to think critically about the texts and cultures you encounter and to present evidence-based arguments both in English and through the medium of the modern language you study.

You’ll study the building blocks of language, including grammatical and lexical patterns and structures. These skills will be regularly assessed over the course of your language and linguistics modules, which reflects the progressive and accumulative nature of the study of language.

We use traditional assessment formats (such as essays, exams, quizzes, oral exams, presentations and dissertation) as well as more innovative forms of assessment, (the creation of vlogs, podcasts, video and audio projects, interviews, portfolios and poster presentations). Assessments also include source criticisms, research projects, reviews, creative-critical portfolios and blog posts. Some of our assessments allow you to work collaboratively on a project, while others include writing and creating for different audiences.

In all cases, our assessments are designed to support you in developing your ideas, skills and competencies. They help equip you with skills to link your knowledge to local, national and global issues, and encourage you to be innovative and creative; to find new ways to address problems or ask questions; to collaborate in solving problems and presenting findings; and to present evidence-based arguments. 

Individual and group feedback on assessments and other learning provides you with the opportunity to reflect on your current or recent level of attainment.

Individual feedback is provided on all assessed work to help you improve performance for future assessments, and you’ll have opportunities to discuss this feedback with your tutors. In addition, you’ll do various practice exercises such as quizzes, presentations and essay or project plans. You’ll receive formative feedback from tutors, in order to improve your learning and understanding before you complete your summative assessments.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this programme describe what you’ll achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you’ll develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you. 

On successful completion of your programme, you’ll be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Communicate in a modern foreign language to degree standard, understanding the structures, registers and varieties of the language you are learning and using them flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes, as appropriate.
• Critically assess aspects of the cultures, histories and societies of the countries in which your language is spoken by drawing on a range of materials and approaches and by applying an in-depth intercultural understanding.
• Demonstrate an in-depth, critical knowledge, awareness and understanding of the similarities and dissimilarities of cultures and societies other than your own.
• Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of core areas of English language and linguistics.
• Critically evaluate how language works in the social world.

Intellectual Skills:

• Communicate clearly, concisely and effectively to diverse audiences, in writing and speech, in English and in a modern foreign language.
• Examine different kinds of literary and cultural materials closely and critically.
• Develop, assess, and apply arguments in response to information and ideas, using speech and writing.
• Plan, write or deliver academic texts (essays, presentations, audio-visual texts) applying effective research techniques, using evidence and  correct referencing conventions.
• Apply descriptive terminology relevant to English language and linguistic phenomena.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Communicate with enhanced linguistic skills in a professional setting. 
• Communicate persuasively, conveying academic ideas and technical arguments to both specialist and non-specialist audiences, using written or oral techniques.
• Assess and solve problems independently, taking the views of others into account in a systematic and evaluative way.
• Develop resilience, adaptability and independence through time spent in immersive modern language contexts.
• Evaluate the impact of language use in a given context and synthesise and interpret various types of linguistic data.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Explain information and ideas clearly and professionally, applying advanced knowledge and skills to unfamiliar or wider world challenges or contexts.
• Develop initiative by taking responsibility for structuring and time-managing a research task, working in teams when appropriate.
• Develop positive and effective working relations with others, especially through constructive and collaborative dialogue and feedback.
• Foster global citizenship, engaging with and valuing cultural difference through practical experience of other countries.