Your stage 1 modules will lay the foundation for in-depth analysis and description of language. They focus on topics such as:

• the structure of words and sentences (morphology and syntax)
• the sounds and sound systems of language (phonetics and phonology)
• language acquisition and language variation and change

Your language modules in the School of Modern Languages will provide you with a solid foundation in the language systems (grammar, orthography, and phonetics) of Mandarin Chinese or Japanese.

You'll develop your reading, listening, writing and speaking skills in preparation for your year abroad.

In your linguistics modules you'll develop your knowledge of core aspects of grammar and sound patterns. You'll also work on how these apply to a range of languages.

You'll broaden your understanding of language study by exploring the social context in which languages are learned, used, and how they change over time.

In your Mandarin Chinese or Japanese modules you'll continue to develop your reading, listening, writing and speaking skills in preparation for your year abroad.

Modules

Compulsory Modules

Your third year will be spent studying in either China or Japan.

You'll continue to study advanced language modules in your chosen language, reflecting the fluency you will have gained during your year abroad. 

You will also start an independent project. During this project you'll lead your own research in close collaboration with a faculty supervisor. 

You will develop your own interests by choosing from topics linked to your lecturers' research specialisms. These include syntactic and phonological theory, second language acquisition, language origins and evolution, child language acquisition and language change, as well as specialisms within Japanese or Chinese. You will also undertake a dissertation project, leading your own research in close collaboration with a faculty supervisor.

Modules

Compulsory Modules