As a Queen's student, whatever your degree course, you will have an opportunity to learn or improve your skills in one or more languages other than English.
Increasingly, knowledge of several languages is recognised as a key to success in the modern world – whatever field you may end up working in.
The University's state-of-the-art multi-media Language Centre is there to help you develop your language skills.
Virtual Lab
You may decide to use the Centre's interactive language learning system that lets you work in your own time and at your own pace. Using PCs, the revolutionary CAN-8 VirtuaLab™ system lets you store your work on the server, both written and oral, for monitoring and assessment by the tutor.
All the multi-media course material on the system is developed and authored in the Language Centre with the expertise of Queen’s language staff and native speakers, which means that courses can be tailored to the learners’ needs and levels.
Languages for Non-Specialists
The Language Centre provides courses for students from all areas of the University who wish to take up or to continue the study of a language on a voluntary basis. These courses can be used towards Degree Plus accreditation.
Arabic, Czech, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, Modern Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish are all taught at various levels and emphasis is on the practical use of the language. Sign language is also available. Students are given the opportunity to take examinations from external boards, for example, the Institute of Linguists, the Paris Chamber of Commerce and the Goethe-Institut. There is also a Queen’s Certificate for attendance.
Languages for Special Purposes
Apart from the non-specialist language courses, the Language Centre now offers courses leading to a Certificate in Languages for Special Purposes. These courses can also be used towards Degree Plus accreditation.
Specially designed computer-based courses are available at beginners, intermediate and advanced levels in:
- French, German and Spanish for Business
- Practical Irish
- French, German and Spanish for Tourism and Leisure
Self-Study
Apart from the formal language learning opportunities, the Centre also provides the opportunity for self-study language courses for use in its private study area. There is a growing library of resources in 50 languages, including English for foreign students, available at various levels and in various formats i.e. books, videos, DVDs, tapes, CD-ROMs and self study on-line courses. Software installed on the PCs includes dictionaries, grammar packages and interactive CD-ROM courses for all levels and in many languages.
Staff are available for guidance and assistance during the Language Centre's opening hours, 9am to 9pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 5pm on Friday.
