Taking language courses is a great way to learn more about another culture and, of course, learn another language! What you might not know is that language courses are a little bit different from other courses at York University. As a French Studies major, I have taken many French language courses at the Keele campus, and I’m here to share some of the key differences I’ve personally noticed in today’s #YUBlog post!
As a quick note, I’d like to mention that I’ll only be discussing language courses offered at Keele. If you’d like to learn more about these courses at Glendon, please visit the Glendon website and their programs webpage.
So, You’re Interested in Taking a Language Course?
Before diving into how you get into language courses and what they’re like, let’s talk about where to find language course options. The first thing I recommend is exploring your options. Here are some online resources to get you started:
- The Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics (DLLL)
The Department of Languages, Literatures & Linguistics has many course offerings and degree and certificate programs for languages such as Arabic, Latin, Portuguese, Jamaican Creole, Greek, Swahili, American Sign Language and more! - York U’s Programs of Study list
Going back to one of the first York U webpages you likely visited is another great place to start when thinking about language courses. I recommend looking through this list, because some languages, such as French, have their own department and are not directly associated with the DLLL.
- The York U Course Website
You can also look through York U’s Course Website and search current courses by subject to see which language courses pique your interest!
Did you know? Learning a new language can come with a lot of benefits, including job opportunities, a chance to learn about another culture and meet new people!
If you’re interested in including a language course to your degree as an elective, a certificate or an added major or minor, I encourage you to consult with an Academic Advisor. If you’d like to learn more about this process, be sure to visit our previous #YUBlog post, “Academic Advising at York U”!
How Do You Get into a Language Course?
Many language courses at York U require a placement test prior to enrolment. Completing this requirement is as easy as calling the department and booking your test! The goal of a placement test is to understand your level of proficiency to make sure that you end up in a language course that is suitable for your level – not too low and not too high.
After you take the test, you’re ready to enrol! Please be sure to consult the language department of your interest to verify their specific pre-enrolment procedures.
What Are Language Courses Like?
There are a few things that make language courses on the Keele campus different from the average course at York U:
Size
Most language courses at York U are smaller than the average course size. Often, you work with a group of 20 to 30 students in a seminar-like environment. Because of the smaller size, the course is really interactive; there is more one-to-one support and the professors often tailor the courses to meet the students’ needs. Smaller course size means closer connections with your professor and fellow students!
Frequency
The best way to learn a language is to practice it frequently. To give students this opportunity, language courses are often held twice a week. This is definitely something to keep in mind when trying to figure out how to incorporate a language course into your schedule!
Access to the Multimedia Language Centre
The Multimedia Language Centre, located in both North Ross and South Ross, is a lab designed for language-learning students. With your classmates, you can access software to improve your pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar along with an endless number of education materials and cultural sites!
I hope that this #YUBlog guide has given you an inside look into language courses at York U’s Keele campus. I encourage you to look into (and maybe even pursue!) language courses, whether you taken them as an elective or a certificate or a degree program!
Have any questions about language courses? Please let us know in the comments down below or tweet us at @YorkUStudents!
Sophie Morgan
Sophie Morgan is a second-year Professional Writing and French Studies double major at York U. She is an avid writer, a baking enthusiast and a full-time cat-sitter. She hopes that her posts will inform and inspire both prospective and current York U students!
