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Your learning experience

At Reading, staff are committed to ensure 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.

Student-centred teaching methods

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 classes

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. 

Seminars and lectures

In our informal seminars we encourage full class participation, giving you the opportunity to practise or consolidate what you have been taught through interaction with your tutor, lecturer and peers.

Culture modules

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.

Access to unique resources 

We encourage you to research history in our extensive archives (including the East German Studies Archive, our world-renowned archive of British publishing and printing, and highly reputed children’s collections).

Department events

We host talks from visiting speakers, organise film viewings and other events.

Assessment

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:

  • curating exhibitions hosted by our libraries or online
  • making podcasts
  • hosting radio programmes
  • presenting research through conference posters.

A supportive and stimulating learning environment

Through small-group teaching you will become confident and highly skilled in writing and speaking your chosen language. 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

It's a fantastic degree programme to do because it becomes part of you. Because it's a small department here you get to know all your lecturers. By the end of the final year they treat you as a friend.

James Dowds, French and Italian

Year abroad

Expand your knowledge and enhance your university experience. The year abroad is an integral part of your Languages and Cultures degree and 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.

Learn more about the year abroad

Employability built into your course

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 Parts 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 that addresses careers that may be of interest to School of Humanities students. In particular, support addresses the needs of students from under-represented groups.