Why not learn a language whilst studying for your degree?
You may hear quite a lot about employability during your time at university and indeed it is of vital importance, and something you must develop in order to succeed in your career.
Foreign language and inter-cultural competencies are highly valued by employers. They can provide you with a competitive advantage in today’s tough job market and help you gain employment more quickly. In general, language skills are an invaluable asset - they broaden your horizon, open doors, enhance your job prospects and are immensely rewarding!
Middlesex University’s Open Language scheme offers Middlesex students, staff, alumni and external students the opportunity to acquire and develop communicative competence in a variety of foreign languages at different levels. Our quality classes, are taught in a supportive and friendly learning environment by experienced and committed teachers. They will be ideal for you if you wish to:
- enhance your employability,
- further your career,
- prepare for study, research or a placement abroad,
- learn a language for leisure purposes,
- keep your existing foreign language/s going or
- enjoy the pleasurable and satisfying experience of language learning.
Language courses offered:
- Arabic (Beginners)
- French (all levels)
- German (all levels)
- Italian (all levels)
- Mandarin Chinese (Beginners)
- Russian (Beginners/Intermediate)
- Spanish (all levels)
There will be 10 two-hour sessions per term taught at Hendon or at Trent Park. Participants will have the opportunity to practise and develop effective skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening in their chosen language/s. Teaching/learning will be student-centred and in a communicative setting. it will be supported by online/OASISplus activities, thus allowing for more flexible learning at participants’ own pace and interaction in the target language, beyond its use in the classroom.
Modules do not count towards a degree classification, however, on completion of the module we will issue a certificate of attendance confirming your level of achievement. Alternatively, you may take assessments for nationally recognised Asset Languages qualifications (examination fees applicable).
Levels and course content:
- Beginners Level (CEF A1): Aimed at learners with no or little prior knowledge of the language.
Indicative course content: Skills and knowledge required to get by in the language and to deal with everyday situations (e.g. shopping, eating out and travelling) and the relevant vocabulary and grammar.
- Intermediate (CEF A2/B1): Aimed at learners who normally have GCSE A* - B (or equivalent skills) in their target language.
Indicative course content: Developing more extended speaking, listening, reading and writing skills and a more in-depth knowledge grammar and vocabulary.
- Advanced (CEF B1/B2): Aimed at learners who normally have A level A - C (or equivalent) in their target language.
Indicative course content: Developing the linguistic skills, appropriate grammatical accuracy and the relevant background knowledge of the target cultures to discuss more abstract topics.
- Proficiency (CEF B2/C1): Aimed at learners who are comfortable in most communicative situations but wish to extend and maintain their language.
Course content: Developing skills and knowledge to understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and use language flexibly, for social, academic and professional purposes.
If you wish to find out more about the course content, please contact the following members of staff:
For Arabic: Mai Zaki (maizaki@gmail.com)
For French: Dr Raynalle Udris (r.udris@mdx.ac.uk)
For German: Edgar Schröder (e.schroder@mdx.ac.uk)
For Italian: Abele Longo (a.longo@mdx.ac.uk)
For Mandarin Chinese: Dr Claire Shih (c.shih@mdx.ac.uk),
For Russian: Yulia Knottenbelt (julievlad@hotmail.com)
For Spanish: Dr Francisco Dominguez (f.Dominguez@mdx.ac.uk)
Timetable and enrolment information
Beginners level classes start in Week 2 (week starting on 5 October 2009). All other classes are scheduled to start in the week beginning 28 September 2009. Classes are available in the morning, afternoon and evening according to the timetable.
Term 2 classes run from January (week starting 11 January 2010) through to April 2010.
The course fee is £250 (£200 for Middlesex students) per academic year. If you wish to enrol for one semester only, the fees applicable in that case are £125 per semester (£100 for Middlesex students).
For information about class dates, time as well as location of our 2009/10 Open Language courses and how to enroll, please download the timetable 
and an enrolment form [Word doc].
Alternatively, please contact one of our Languages Administrators below to request details of class dates, time and location, and an enrolment form:
Lucy Dawson
Tel: +44 (0)20 8411 6497
Email: L.Dawson@mdx.ac.uk
Martha Da Silva
Tel: +44 (0)20 8411 4835
Email: m.dasilva@mdx.ac.uk
Feedback from past students who participated in Open Language courses:
“The real impact was when I got my first job in Munich. Since then, the 3-month German course is helping me in little great ways...finding a nice flat, using the ticket machine correctly, getting on with natives etc."
- R. M. (former MBA student)
"I did Spanish on the OL programme for only one term and felt so confident when I went to Barcelona that I hardly needed English. I heard much praise for other languages, too, especially German. This is a great, low-price, high-quality opportunity that I would definitely recommend to any language lover."
- A. E. (TEFL graduate)
“It took me a long time to find an accessible course suited to my level, and this one has been a challenge, which is excellent. The Oasis resources are really excellent too.”
- S. C. (external student)
“The programme has been well planned and executed. Each seminar relates to the previous one and progresses knowledge. There is ample exposure to the spoken language and opportunity to practise with fellow students in class. Homework is provided which reinforces material taught; response to queries and work submitted by email is prompt and helpful.”
- S. K. (external student)
"The Open Language scheme has given me a great opportunity to study a language I have always wanted to learn. I was able to start from beginner's level and then gradually progress. My classes have always been stimulating and full of fun, and I particularly liked it that we had the opportunity to go on a study trip and practise our language skills abroad."
- A.T. ( BA English Language student)
“From a career perspective, I feel that the benefit of speaking another language greatly enhances your chances of success when you graduate and look for a job. Since graduating I have met and worked with colleagues from more than 40 countries across the world – understanding a language and appreciating the cultural diversity that I learnt from Middlesex was a great stepping stone into the world of Global Business."
- T. R. (Information Technology with Spanish graduate)
“We are well pleased with our three years of Italian. What we did was well worth while and well taught.”
- Member of staff – MUBS
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Alternatively you can email a PDF file to Access Adobe and it will be returned as a plain text. |
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Please email Edgar Schröder if you find information is out of date or insufficient.
© Middlesex University 2009.
