Develop new skills with our student-centred teaching and assessment
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.
Our language modules emphasise active learning: you are immersed in the target language and encouraged to use your language skills from day one. 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).
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. We host talks from visiting speakers, organise film viewings and other events, and encourage you to research the past 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).
Examples of innovative assessment methods in some culture modules include:
- 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.
You will also be encouraged to pursue your own interests beyond the language you're learning through a wide range of comparative modules.
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
Interactive teaching
Our language degree courses blend academic and practical learning through a combination of language classes, informal seminars, and lectures. 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.
We enable you to use new technologies competently in your learning and to use them to communicate your ideas and discoveries in an engaging way.
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. You will develop your skills as a versatile linguist through speaking, listening, writing, learning grammar, and translating.
Direct access to expert staff for help and feedback ensures you develop your language skills to the best of your ability.
Most of your learning is assessed through a mixture of coursework and formal examination.
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
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.
Careers Support
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.