Did you know that you can receive a language specialism attached to your degree certificate and transcript?

Students who have taken and passed a one unit language course in each year of their degree (ie, 25 per cent of their overall programme of study) will be offered the opportunity to receive a language specialism attached to their degree certificate and transcript. Students must take all courses in the same language (French, Spanish, German, Mandarin or Russian) in order to qualify for the specialism. The three courses must also be consecutively harder in level, for example: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Students who choose to take language courses are not obligated to receive a specialism, but have the option if they wish. Degree certificates which include a language specialism will state the language in the title, for example: BSc Sociology (with French).

Language and Society 1 (LS1) and Language and Society 2 (LS2) will bring you up to post A-level or equivalent in one or two years, using language and a variety of skills within the specific context of Social Science topics relevant to the Language and Society you will cover.

You will learn to speak in a variety of situations, practise listening and reading skills using a wide range of material, and develop writing skills for a variety of commercial and academic purposes. You'll learn about the society of your chosen area using examples taken from various sources: the press; TV and radio; cinema; literature and texts relevant to Social Science students.

Language and Society 3 (LS3, Language and Society 4 (LS4) and Language and Society 5 (LS5) aim to improve your language skills across a range of speaking, reading, listening and writing activities.

You will study in increasingly greater detail aspects of society, politics, economics and media. Contact time decreases according to the level chosen. You will be exposed to a variety of material in Language and Society 3 and 4, and can choose to study more intensively in Language and Society 5 specific authors, movements or eras. You will be encouraged to develop both your linguistic and research skills.

For the intensive programmes Language and Society 1 & 2, classes start in week 1 of term. Language Society 3, 4 & 5 run along the lines of other LSE degree option (Lectures start week 1, classes in week 3).            

• Language and Society 1 (Beginner): 6 hours per week              
• Language and Society 2 (Intermediate): 5 hours per week              
• Language and Society 3 (Advanced): 4 hours per week              
• Language and Society 4 (Proficiency): 3 hours per week              
• Language and Society 5 (Mastery): 2 hours per week

There are many reasons but we would highlight the following:            

• if you’ve already invested a lot of time and effort into a language, it’s a pity to let it go to waste.              
• if you’ve enjoyed studying a language previously, you’ll enjoy taking the subject further; and if you’re an absolute beginner, you’ll relish the academic, intellectual and practical challenge of our Beginner programmes.              
• if you’ve already been successful in your language studies, a degree option will make sure your language skills are credited as part of your actual degree.              
• you’ll find that not only will your language skills improve, but you’ll use these skills to explore issues relating to French, German, Mandarin, Russian or Spanish politics, economics and society.              

The gains you’ll make are not purely language related, but you’ll find you will have developed many transferable skills such as those related to            

• communication              
• IT              
• research              
• presentation skills              

We want to make your language study as useful for your future as possible, and so you’ll find much of our programme geared to help you cope with residence abroad, giving you the necessary linguistic tools to cope with a variety of academic or work related situations.            

You exit profile will be enhanced by the addition of a fully accredited language option as many international companies reward recognised language skills. On average people who use languages in their job earn 8% more than their colleagues (Figures from NTO: The Languages National Training Organisation and CILT: The Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research)