Language Studies at Goldsmiths
Foreign Languages at Goldsmiths
Knowing a foreign language – or an extra foreign language – can open the door to many things: understanding other people, ideas and cultures; improving your employment prospects; supporting your academic studies; and enjoying your travelling at a deeper level. Languages can open up your world, stimulate your brain – and are great fun!
What we provide
We offer a wide range of foreign language classes on weekday evenings, with beginners classes in all our languages, as well as other levels in the more popular ones.
We offer the following language courses:
— Classes are from 6.00 to 8.30 on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings
— Classes last for 28 weeks (October to early June)*
— Each course leads to a Goldsmiths Certificate in Language Proficiency
— Classes are open to all – to the general public, to Goldsmiths students and staff
— Course fees are very reasonable, working out at less than £7 per hour for 70 hours' tuition
— Your language studies can be consolidated by use of language-learning resources in the Goldsmiths Library (CDs, DVDs, satellite TV recordings and self-study facilities). Library staff will be happy to advise you.
Whichever course you choose, you will be taught by friendly, experienced and qualified staff. They will help you to improve your confidence and ability to communicate in the language you have chosen, working on speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, whilst not forgetting the all-important grammar and vocabulary.
Assessment
Your progress will be assessed with a 'user-friendly' and straightforward in-class assessment towards the end of each term. Successful cumulative assessment leads to the Goldsmiths' Certificate in Language Proficiency, which has five different levels, Level 1 to Level 5.
Trainee teachers
PACE also runs the Certificate in Language Teaching to Adults programme, which provides trainees with the opportunity to observe classes and to gain some teaching practice as an important part of their course. CLTA trainee teachers may be present or give some sessions on our language classes, under the guidance and supervision of the main teacher. This represents an opportunity to have access to a native speaker, and thus gives you extra practice in the language.
Self–study
Don’t forget that you can back up your language skills by also taking advantage of the excellent resources in the Goldsmiths Library.
Fees
Please note that the fees quoted in this section are for those with ‘home student fee status’ who do not already hold a higher level of qualification. Please check the ‘Financial information’ section in this prospectus to see if this fee level will apply to you or not.
Which level of class should I join?
You can normally enrol directly onto the level you judge most appropriate for you. The table below will help you assess which level would be best for you, but if you need more information and advice, please contact David Hopkins, Programme Convenor, on +44 (0)20 7078 5014 or email d.hopkins@gold.ac.uk.
If you are continuing from a previous PACE language course with sufficient results on your course assessment, you can progress directly on to the next level.
| Goldsmiths Level | ‘Common European Framework of Reference for Languages’ level | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | A1 – A2 | Beginner |
| Level 2 | A2 – B1 | Elementary/ rusty GCSE |
| Level 3 | B1 – B2 | Intermediate/recent good GCSE pass/ A or AS Level |
| Level 4 | C1 | Higher intermediate – Advanced/recent good A level pass |
| Level 5 | C2 | Advanced/ fluent speaker |
Short courses
We have plans to put on short, termly foreign language courses during 2011-12. Please check our website for updated information.
Goldsmiths staff
Staff are normally eligible for a 10% discount on fees for our foreign languages and interpreting programmes. Contact the Staff Development Unit for further details, e-mail staffdevelopment@gold.ac.uk.