Foreign Languages & Culture

About the Course

The Foreign Languages and Culture courses will give you a broad overview of topics such as identity, social factors, language vitality, and issues pertaining to globalization. Each language brings with itself a longstanding history and knowledge of the culture that it belongs to. After completing a language degree or diploma, you will be in a position to develop important skills such as translation, language interpretation, and linguistics. Most universities offer language courses in modern language and in the context of the current scenario. However, there are courses, that will give you an insight into the culture and history as well. 

After studying and completing language courses abroad, you will be in a position to experience new cultures, that can support your education and business goals. When you are studying abroad or doing business, learning the native tongue can open up a whole lot of avenues. Most language courses abroad are offered as a BA. You can also do post-graduation as a MA. A BA degree will take 3-4 years to complete. You can choose a language as a major subject, in a liberal arts program, in the US. You can also study language and culture as a PGCE abroad. 

You will learn not only through books and notes, but also via interaction with students of other nationalities. Some of the most common foreign language and culture subjects, that are taught abroad are:

• French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Mandarin. 

• You can also opt for advanced courses after finishing the basic level ones. 

• As a part of the curriculum, you will also be studying the cultural context, research language, linguistics, translation, interpretation, and cultural history. 

General Entry Requirement (In Scope to The Countries)

The requirements for various countries and universities for students willing to learn foreign languages and cultures may be a bit different. However, a summary of the general requirements for admission is listed below. You might have to check the norms separately for each university once you decide on the same. 

• A Level – AAA having either French, German, Spanish, Italian, or Mandarin. 

• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma.

• International Baccalaureate with a 37 score overall.

• If you are from a nation like India, 10+2 is the basic requirement for admission to the courses, with a good average aggregate of 50-60%. 

• Some of the universities might ask you to sit for a foundational language test, to prepare you for foreign language courses. 

• You also have to prove your proficiency levels in English, as that is the main language of communication abroad, no matter which language you have opted for. IELTS 5.5 or more is required. 

For post-graduate courses in foreign languages and culture you must do a bachelor’s first in the course. The Cut-off percentage is slightly different for different universities and colleges abroad. 

What Courses Are Available?

Some of the best countries, where you can pursue foreign language and culture courses are the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia, Malta, South Africa, Argentina, Mexico, and Austria. You can choose country, and find out the entry requirements, as they differ from one to another. Some of the top language courses are:

• BA in Applied Languages

• Modern Languages BA Honours

• Applied Languages and Translation Studies - BA

• Arts and Sciences: Languages – B.ArSc.

• Asian Languages (Japanese) - BA

• MA TESOL

• MEd

• Clinical Speech and Language Studies MSc. 

• Languages and Applied Linguistics – M.Phil.

Some of the top universities where you can pursue foreign language and cultures education are the University of Portsmouth, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Canterbury, Trinity College Dublin, Quest University, and the University of Portsmouth. 

Personal Statement (SOP Requirement)

You are not the only international student, who is applying for admission to a foreign language and culture course. So, it is important that you highlight your qualities, in the personal statement. You may mention in your personal statement about those years in school, when you learnt a foreign language like German, as an extra-curricular subject. It may have fuelled your passion to learn the language. Moreover, you can also mention, that you are eager to study more courses in the aided language abroad, for personal and professional growth. 

You can draw a plan for the times ahead, that will show your forward-thinking nature and career plans. The counsellor should believe that you will do good in the arena and highlight the name of the college in the international markets. This is help you to secure admission. Moreover, your scores are also quite relevant and you can post a copy of your ECA marksheet to substantiate the same.