Modern Languages with Translation (with Foundation Year)

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Becoming a Modern Linguist

  Find your footing as a linguist and cultural scholar, building on your first year to develop a deeper understanding of your subject and your own potential. Through hands-on projects, collaborative challenges and structured reflection, you'll explore what it means to engage with language, culture and the wider world.

  You'll develop research skills - learning to find, evaluate and use academic sources with confidence and integrity. You'll build analytical and intercultural communication skills, collaborate on an academic poster project, and produce a reflective portfolio with a personal action plan for your academic and professional future.

  Through reflection and experience, you'll build self-belief, a sense of belonging and a clearer sense of your own direction, developing the attributes and skills to succeed in your studies and in a world where language and intercultural understanding matter more than ever.

• Culture, Identity and Society

  In this module, you’ll gain core analytical skills for your degree as you explore the intercultural differences between societies and expressions of identity. You’ll also enhance your communication skills, which are essential for any future career.

• Understanding Languages and Translation

  In this module, you’ll get to understand language and how to study it. You’ll look at language as a system, and how we use it in different instances of communication. You’ll understand language and its associated terms and definitions. You’ll gain core linguistic skills as you explore linguistic analysis in:

  • sound (phonetics and phonology)
  • language as meaning (semantics)
  • language as structure (syntax).

  You’ll gain a strong grounding in these concepts by studying instances of written and spoken language. You’ll develop valuable insights into language and its systems and uses.

• Language Study

  You can choose to study one or more languages, from Beginners (French, Spanish, or Japanese) and/or Intermediate (French or Spanish).

Optional modules

• Placement 1: Understanding Education

  This is your chance to work in the community and learn about education in real-life situations. The goal is to give you a wide range of experiences and show you that education also happens away from the school environment. You'll also discuss important things like:

  • keeping people safe
  • being fair and inclusive
  • and doing the right thing. 

  You'll have the choice to pick a place locally that interests you, and we'll help you arrange your experience there.

• Sustainable and Ethical Marketing

  You are the marketers of tomorrow, so it is key you understand and are able to respond to the ethical and environmental sustainability challenges that will be faced. As such, your learning is tied to the Business School’s commitment to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management. 

  You will discuss the meaning of ethical marketing and key environmental issues, such as:

  • global warming
  • pollution
  • biodiversity loss 
  • freshwater depletion.

  You'll examine the role of marketing in causing, as well as responding to, such issues. You’ll look at a variety of stakeholder perspectives and frameworks to aid the analysis of marketing responses.

• Politics in Comparative Perspective

  In this module, you’ll investigate politics, and the struggle for power, across the nations. You’ll have a clear introduction to how and why political systems differ in our world today. You’ll examine case studies from a wide range of states, and gain a strong insight into how different regimes function – from the democratic to the totalitarian.

• Customs, Icons and Symbols

  Explore the study and understanding of Culture and Society by looking at relevant Customs, Icons and Symbols with a particular emphasis on communicative practice of reading and written language in contexts.

• Introduction to East Asian Cultures

  In this module, you'll use anthropological perspectives to make an in-depth investigation of contemporary life in Japan. You'll cover factors and topics that affect Japanese everyday life such as:

  • child rearing 
  • education and early socialization
  • households, marriage and kinship
  • work and employment
  • gender and sexuality
  • religion and ritual
  • immigration and diversity 
  • Japanese popular culture 
  • and the globalization of Japanese culture.

  This will give you a good base of knowledge for taking more advanced modules on the anthropology of Japan in years 2 and 3.

• From Empires to States: the Origins of International Relations

  In this module, you’ll dive into International Relations, and its key theories. You’ll explore how International Relations emerges from specific cultural and historic concerns. You’ll gain core analytical skills, as you interpret historical events and use them to explore pressing debates on International Relations.

  You’ll learn how International Relations has been shaped as a Western discipline, and how to challenge this by learning about aspects of international relations that have been erased or forgotten. You’ll learn to see International Relations as a rich array of competing stories about our world and what’s possible within it.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Oxford Stories: Professional Development in Practice

  The world's most pressing challenges don't fit neatly into one subject or discipline. This module puts you at the heart of tackling them.

  Working alongside academics, fellow students and external partners, you'll contribute to real, cross-disciplinary projects addressing complex, real-world problems. The experience is designed to stretch you, building confidence, resilience and a deeper understanding of your subject in the context of today's world and tomorrow's workplace.

  This is also a space for reflection. You'll draw on what you discover through these hands-on experiences to develop greater self-awareness, clarify your values and strengthen your belief in your own ability to succeed in complex, collaborative environments.

  The second in a series of three modules running throughout the programme, Oxford Stories builds on the foundations of your first year and prepares you for the professional world beyond graduation.

• Cultural Competence for the World of Work

  This module provides an introduction to organisations, their structure and culture, and the behaviour of individuals and groups within them. This module incorporates elements which will enable you to understand your personal tendencies and will significantly contribute to your further professional success.

• Translation as Intercultural Communication

  You will engage with key models and concepts that form the field of intercultural communication. This will help you as a basis for the analysis of practical examples taken from a variety of texts. Which will be in your main languages of study, including audio-visual support. 

  You will learn to detect intercultural components in the source text.  Translating the text in respect of the target cultural and linguistic conventions. Building your linguistic and intercultural skills

  Working with different language combinations will show the importance of intercultural communication skills. Within a multilingual environment, and in the role of the translator as a cultural mediator.

• Language Study

  Continue to improve your language skills in your chosen language/s as a beginner or as an intermediate entry language student.

Optional modules

• Language Study Option

  Continue your study of a second language 

• Consumer Psychology and Marketing

  On this module, you'll learn to identify and evaluate the latest developments in consumer behaviour. Including emerging consumer trends across various consumption contexts, using psychology and appropriate research methods and tools. You'll also build a deeper understanding of diversity, inclusivity, ethics, and sustainability, as well as skills in responsible marketing.

• Language, Culture and Globalisation

  In this module, you’ll explore the relationship between language, culture and globalisation. You’ll gain key analytical skills as you observe how language operates in local and global contexts. You’ll look at language through a sociolinguistic approach - considering the relationship between language and society and how they affect each other. You’ll explore how English rose to become an international language, spoken in countries all over the world. You’ll explore a range of topics, including: 

  • language and gender
  • language and politics
  • language and standardisation 
  • globalisation discourses
  • linguistic imperialism (when we impose our language on speakers of another language).

• English Language Teaching to Adults

  This module is an excellent introduction to English language teaching and is ideal preparation for those considering the CELTA qualification. You'll explore core principles of teaching English to adults, develop essential classroom skills, and gain a solid foundation in language teaching methodology. By completing this module, you'll be well-prepared to progress onto the CELTA summer programme at British Study Centres Oxford, where you can complete your teaching practice and earn the internationally recognised Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA), accredited by Cambridge Assessment.

• Uncivil Society: Constituting Global Order

  How do we govern the world, when it’s no longer dominated by states and national governments? How do different types of migration shape the movement of people across the world? In this module, you’ll get to understand the key part of international relations - borders and solidarities (groups with a common identity or interest). You’ll explore the various forms of borders and solidarities, including:

  • movements across national boundaries 
  • regional organisations
  • trade agreements.

  You’ll link them to key forces and events, such as: 

  • NGOs
  • corporations
  • colonisation
  • refugee movements
  • the migrant ‘crisis’.

  You’ll gain valuable practical and professional knowledge, as you explore major issues today, and how global governance or migration shape our lives. 

• Independent Study in Modern Languages with Translation

  This module gives you the chance to study a topic that interests you in Modern Languages with Translation. You’ll work independently, with the support of our expert academic team, and will carry out work on a small project of your choosing. You’ll gain core skills for work, including in:

  • enquiry
  • research 
  • analysis 
  • evaluation.

• Language Acquisition

  This module will help you to develop a better understanding of language acquisition processes and language learning strategies. You'll also have opportunities to apply this knowledge and understanding to your own language learning.  
  
  Together we'll explore topics such as 

  • child first language acquisition
  • child bilingual acquisition
  • adult second language acquisition
  • and language impairment.

• European Politics

  In this module you'll look at and analyse governmental and political institutions in Europe. You'll cover policy-making, the participatory process and contemporary issues in European politics, with a focus on comparative study as well as the process of regionalisation. You'll examine:

  • The evolution of democracy and citizenship in Europe
  • Parties, party systems and elections in Europe 
  • The EU and theories of European integration
  • Regional nationalism and sub-state governance in Europe
  • The unique challenges facing post-communist Europe
  • The rise of populist nationalism in Europe
  • The politics of migration in Europe
  • The European welfare state
  • The impact of global challenges on European politics.

Optional Year Abroad

Optional modules

• Optional Study and Work Placement

  This module offers the opportunity to study abroad, experience a new culture, and apply your skills in different contexts to enhance your employability. It will help you develop self-management, cross-cultural communication, and interpersonal skills.
  
  You’ll receive support to secure a place at a partner institution abroad, where you can choose modules related to your degree or explore new areas that complement your studies.
  
  Studying at an international university will help you enhance your interpersonal skills through cross-cultural communication with students and tutors, allowing you to build lasting relationships. You'll also improve your study skills by focusing on your chosen areas of interest, gaining valuable international experience that will strengthen your CV.
  
  This year abroad module lasts for one academic year and is taken after the conclusion of your second year of study, once you’ve completed all your level 5 studies. Your year abroad is not credit-bearing.

Final Year

Compulsory modules

• Researching Cross-Cultural Experiences

  In this module, you’ll collect, analyse and present primary data of cultural aspects that interest you, using methodological approaches and techniques that best fit your research. You’ll gain core critical skills for your final year, as you analyse your data and the data-collection process, as well as the wider cross-cultural experiences of individuals, groups and communities, either in the UK or abroad. You’ll also present the outcomes of your independent research at an academic conference, giving you vital skills for your future career.

• Translating Culture - Word and Image

  On this module you'll have the the opportunity to:

  • Improve your knowledge and competence in cross-cultural communications
  • Explore challenges posed by visual culture; its translation and adaptation
  • Understand the main translation strategies available for types of material in context
  • Expand your cultural and/or linguistic understanding of the cultures of your chosen language
  • Engage with a broad variety of materials from the target culture in its visual and written forms
  • Advance and develop your presentation skills
  • Improve and progress your ability to work well and collaborate as part of a team
  • Undertake extensive research on material from the visual culture of your target language.

  Examples of explored themes can include translation of cultural references. Such as:

  • humour, of visual elements such as emoji 
  • censorship 
  • ideology
  • translation/adaptation of pragmatic aspects such as register, politeness etc.

• Language Study

  Continue to progress your language skills in your chosen language/s as a beginner or as an intermediate entry language student.

Optional modules

• Advanced Translation Skills

  For this advanced module, you need a very high linguistic competence in French or Spanish. You’ll translate texts from the target language into English. We’ll cover a broad span of texts, contexts, styles and registers, including newspapers, literary texts and blogs. You’ll enhance your ability to translate texts creatively and precisely, following parameters of

  • register
  • style
  • purpose
  • audience
  • meaning.

• Language Study Option

  Continue further with your study of a second language.

• Human Rights and Global Politics

  What should world leaders do? How much power should countries give each other? And how should states and individuals behave towards each other? In this module, you’ll get to understand the key questions in world politics. You’ll explore:

  • how we determine rights and duties
  • how we both enable and restrict dominance
  • how issues of race, gender and class interact
  • in relation to world politics. 

  You’ll choose one of three topics that on international ethics and power - human rights, migration and immigration, or racism and colonialism.

• Violence, Resistance and Identity Politics

  How does violence occur in different societies? How do people’s ideas of violence affect their cultures? In this module, you’ll look at how states manage violence such as terrorism. You’ll also consider how social norms and military values of violence shape our lives. You can choose to specialise in terrorism or counter-terrorism, or critical militarism studies. 

• Independent Study Module

  This module gives you the chance to study a topic in depth or take a work based project that interests you. You’ll work independently, with the support of our expert academic team, and will carry out work on a small project of your choosing. You’ll gain core skills for the future, that include:

  • enquiry
  • research 
  • analysis 
  • evaluation.

• Placement 3: Professional Development in Practice

  You'll get the opportunity to build upon your experience of working in education. You'll gain a breadth of experience regarding the notion of education, and will complement the placements undertaken in Year 1 and Year 2. 

  You will be given a choice of settings within the local area based on your interest. You'll have the opportunity to explore outdoor education, SENDI, creativity and the arts and technology. Your assessment will involve insights into experiential learning, theories of personal and professional development, and knowledge of organisational cultures. On completion of this module, you'll have the confidence and ability to articulate and reflect on your experience as a graduate professional ready to embark on employment within the education sector. 

• Global Marketing Management

  On this module, you'll build upon your marketing knowledge and apply it within an international context. Brands operating in international markets need to be mindful of the various challenges posed by an ever-changing and dynamic global market. You’ll proactively understand these global market dynamics that help brands establish a sustainable competitive advantage. You’ll also look to develop understanding of various ethical and sustainable issues in a global context, as well as respect cultural differences in different markets.

• Conflict and Peacebuilding

  In this module you’ll explore practices of conflict management and peacebuilding in societies which experience violent conflict. You’ll cover three key areas;

  • conceptualise peace and the causes and dynamics of contemporary conflict
  • investigate models of peacemaking
  • understand how building a sustainable peace can be achieved by societies emerging from war.

  You’ll compare a variety of case studies to draw conclusions about these challenges and processes, alongside analysing current cases of violent conflict, critically evaluating peacebuilding processes and asking questions about the quality of peace that often emerges.