Expand your horizons in the European Year of Language

The first in a series of events to mark the launch of the European Year of Languages 2001 in Bradford took place recently in the University's Department of Modern Languages. Fifteen students and two members of staff (both Bradford University graduates) from Whitcliffe Mount Grammar School in Cleckheaton spent the afternoon in the Department.

Mrs Elvira Grisag, who graduated from the Department of Modern Languages in German and Spanish in 1999, had requested that her students visit the Department as they were in the process of deciding if they wanted to pursue their language studies.

Paula Frost, Undergraduate Admissions Secretary, developed a programme of participatory and interactive events which might help the students to consider languages from a different angle.

During their visit the students attended a "taster" lesson in Spanish, learnt how to Pass Go in French Monopoly, did a quiz from German video clips on car advertisements through the ages, as well as acquiring basic interpreting skills, obtaining tips on creative writing in German and listening to lectures on the foreign placement system and careers using modern languages.

Pupils during the foreign language taster session

Paula Frost, organiser of this event said: "Mrs Grisag has requested a return visit in November which might assist with revision for the students' mock examinations; and the Headmaster at Whitcliffe Mount Grammar School would also like an event to promote language learning to appear on the school's calendar on an annual basis."

Meanwhile, the University is showing its commitment to languages in the European Year of Language with the launch of three new courses. From this year, students can enrol on the BA (Hons) in Language with Moving Image Studies, BA (Hons) in Language with the New Media and BA (Hons) course in Language(s) with International Management.

Building on existing expertise within the Department the courses, which cover French, German and Spanish, draw on expertise from the Department of Electronic Imaging and Media Communications, the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, Bradford College and the Centre for Continuing Education.

The course in Language with Moving Image Studies features options in Film; European Cinema; Linguistics; and Society & Culture.


Pupils from Whitcliffe Mount Grammar School,learnt to play french Monopoly Pupils during the foreign language taster session Mark ting and International Tourism.

The Language with the New Media course features modules in: Understanding Visual Communications; Soundscapes; Telecomms; Enterprise; and Images, Media & Society.

The course in Language(s) with International Management offers students, for the first time, the opportunity to devote one third of their studies to International Management and therefore the opportunity to complement their professional language skills in one or two foreign languages chosen from French, German and Spanish with a relevant and vocationally-orientated discipline. The course includes pathways in Accountancy; Human Resource Management; and Marketing and International Tourism.

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