UCLan students are being given new opportunities to learn new languages with the launch of the Languages 2012 programme. 

The initiative is being run by UCLan in partnership with The British Council and Trinity College, London. It’s designed for students looking to broaden their horizons, learn about foreign cultures and countries and increase the “internationalisation” of their learning.

It is hoped the programme will prove popular with students and the wider North West community.

Coordinating Valeriy Smolienko believes it: “will help us change the existing, now almost stereotyped, perception of foreign language learning as difficult and boring.

“Languages 2012 is important for UCLan because of the Institution’s vision to become a truly international university. We want students, staff and visitors to get a ‘mini’ international experience by just being in Fylde building and perhaps to inspire them to want to learn more”.

But improving language studies could be a tough task in light of recent coverage in the media spotlight.

Figures from last year demonstrate the poor state of language education in the UK, with just one in five state schools requiring pupils to learn a second languages.

It isn’t much better at university level. Even Cambridge has altered its entry requirements so applicants no longer need to have a GCSE in foreign language studies to enrol.

The Languages 2012 programme has been implemented by the School of Languages and International Studies, to encourage language education. It is hoped the programme will increase students’ employability, as many workplaces value a graduate with knowledge of a second-language, a crucial advantage in the current jobs market.

Courses include Arabic, Chinese, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Urdu.

Each course is a flexible opportunities to study towards an elective or certificate, at beginner or intermediate level.

And for those unsure if they can take on the extra work there are a series of taster sessions, to experience the language and learning style of the module.

Survival workshops for those wanting to travel abroad will be offered, giving advice to help students gain “confidence, knowledge and skills to deal with the cultural and linguistic aspects of travelling abroad.”

As well as the academic side there is entertainment too, including International Film Festivals, Give-it-a-Go events and Language Events Celebrations.

These unique and accredited events are for anyone and offer opportunities that would be hard to find elsewhere, so it’s worth researching and considering for new challenges.

If you want to find out more then visit the UCLan website and search for Languages 2012 or WorldWise, or contact Valeriy Smolienko.