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At Reading, staff are committed to ensuring you make the most of your degree and develop important life skills that will prove valuable in your future career.
This is reflected in our student-centred teaching and the range of assessment methods across our language and culture modules.
We also offer placements and our year abroad so you can apply your language skills in the real world.
Our degree courses blend academic and practical learning through a combination of teaching methods. Direct access to expert staff for help and feedback ensures you develop your language skills to the best of your ability.
Language teaching is at the very core of all of our programmes and you will be taught in small language groups by experienced staff, many of whom are native speakers.
We emphasise active learning: you are immersed in the target language and encouraged to use your language skills from day one.
Our culture modules cover real-world issues and offer you the opportunity to learn professional skills and explore new ways of thinking about your studies.
Learn more about our culture modules on our why study with us page.
Most of your learning is assessed through a mixture of coursework and formal examination.
You will produce materials for your language portfolio each year. This enables you to reflect on your progress, and perfect your skills in the major assessment areas (reading, writing, speaking, listening and translation).
In some of our culture modules, assessment methods include practical projects such as:
You will become confident and highly skilled in writing and speaking your chosen language through small-group teaching. You will master the fundamental elements of the language and by the time you graduate, you can expect to be fluent in your core language.
The University provides a number of disability support services for people who have accessibility or additional learning needs.
Read more about disability support at the University of Reading
James Dowds, French and Italian
Expand your knowledge and enhance your university experience.
The year abroad is an integral part of your Languages and Cultures degree. You will spend a year either studying at a university, working on a placement, or teaching as a British Council language assistant in a school.
The year abroad enables you to directly immerse yourself in the culture and develop your language to a high level of proficiency.
Alongside your academic studies, you will receive careers advice and CV workshops to enhance your career prospects. As you prepare for the year abroad you will also benefit from support and guidance, including when compiling your CV in a second language.
Academic placements are an exciting opportunity for students on years 2 and 3 of their course. They facilitate the opportunity to link the learning on a module to jobs and careers away from the classroom.
We offer targeted careers support for careers that may be of interest to School of Humanities students. In particular, support addresses the needs of students from under-represented groups.
Our wide range of courses gives you the opportunity to shape your degree to your interests, and allows you to combine your language studies with another subject.
Join a friendly and welcoming department that will support you on your transition to university, throughout your degree course and beyond.
Our staff and students have incredible stories to tell. Read about their experiences in the Department of Languages and Cultures.