Integrated Master in Modern Languages: Modern Languages

Program Overview

---

Language is fundamental to our thoughts, our relationships, and our civilisations. Through language, we transmit knowledge, from inviting someone for coffee, to promoting the latest scientific theory, to settling global political disputes. If you’re a high achiever with an A-level grade B in a major language, this four-year course is for you. You integrate your undergraduate and postgraduate studies into one course, graduating with an Integrated Masters in Modern Languages in four years, rather than five if the courses are taken separately. You specialise in at least two modern languages, becoming highly proficient in at least one language. Language study is combined from the third year with translation skills. Your progress will depend on reaching target grades with work expected in the upper 2.1 range. In your first and second years, you study practical language modules to develop your language skills. French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish can be studied, reaching Proficiency level in the major language by the end of year 2, with Mandarin Chinese taken as an option. These languages are all widely used in the business world and many of our graduates have developed successful global careers with international firms. Your third year is spent studying abroad with modules taken in language and translation. You carry out research relating to translation for your year abroad project, supported by your supervisor. This independent research project develops your ability to conduct research, work with complex sources of information in your chosen language and employ research methods. You also develop your analytical thinking and problem-solving skills and expand your linguistic and translation skills and communication proficiency in your chosen language. The project is the culmination of both your undergraduate studies and preparation for your final year where you take postgraduate modules. In addition to the language skills you develop, you explore themes relating to global cultures, history, and politics to gain in-depth knowledge of the countries where the languages you’re studying are spoken. In your final year you return to Essex to study modules in translation and subtitling at postgraduate level. Why we're great.

• Gain an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in four years, including one year studying abroad.
• We are 1st in UK for research impact in modern languages and linguistics (Grade Point Average, Research Excellence Framework 2021).
• Gain in-depth cultural, historical and political understanding of the countries you study the languages of.

Study abroad

Unique to this course is your third year abroad project, which you carry out under supervision from an Essex academic. During this year, you study abroad at one of the prestigious universities with which we have a link relating to the study of translation, learning your chosen language in a country where the language is spoken. You continue to study translation modules relevant to your course while conducting your own research for a translation studies project.

---

Placement year

You can also undertake a placement year abroad in which you will gain real world experience of living and working in another country, fully immersed in its language and culture. You will be responsible for finding your placement, but with support and guidance provided by both your department and our Employability and Careers Centre.

---

Our expert staff

Our lecturers are skilled interpreters and translators, experienced in training students with the necessary skills for professional practice. We maintain excellent student-staff ratios with capped language-specific seminars. Our lecturers come from around the world including France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Spain, Cuba, China, and the UK. They will share their expertise with you in the areas of professional translation.

---

Specialist facilities

• Our state-of-the-art interpreting lab provides you with simultaneous interpreting booths in a professional business setting for both classwork and practice
• You also have access to LTB 6, a conference facility for up to 350 people with simultaneous interpreting booths, for interpreting live conferences and lectures
• 24-hour self-access to our translation lab dedicated to translation students
• Use specialist software such as SDL Trados Studio 2019 and MemoQ for technical translation, Televic and Brähler equipment for Interpreting and WinCaps Qu4ntum for Subtitling
• Use our professional recording studios to video record a small audience or for presentations
• Weekly multilingual interpreting conferences, field trips and workshops led by internationally renowned experts from the industry
• Extra-curricular activities are available through student societies
• Our Albert Sloman Library houses a strong collection of books, journals, electronic resources and major archives
• Languages for All offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost

---

Your future

Companies and organisations in the UK and abroad are struggling to find university graduates who are fluent in at least one other language, apart from English. Being an Essex modern languages graduate places you in a very advantageous position. You will be able to speak and write fluently, or to a very competent standard, in up to four languages. Language skills are in scarce supply and can be used in almost any job. Alongside skills in translation and subtitling, you also gain key employability skills such as researching and writing for specific purposes. Our graduates are successful in a wide variety of career paths. They leave Essex with a unique set of skills and experience that are in demand by employers. Some become teachers, translators, administrators and journalists. Their valued language, interpreting and subtitling skills have enabled them to work in diverse fields including banking, entertainment, media, education and tourism, as well as for a host of UK and international companies. In particular, this degree lends itself to a career in education, translation, interpretation, trade, PR, communications, immigration or diplomacy. We also work with the University’s Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities. "The seminars have been informal and fun, and we’ve been allowed to develop our linguistic ability through several types of assignments and oral examinations. At Essex, I have been particularly impressed by the number of international students and the range of activities available to students. These years will undoubtedly be the best of my life." Gigi Capone, BA Modern Languages student. "I loved the combination of all three practices because it provided a lot of variety and expanded my expertise in not one but several linguistic fields. I also found that it struck the perfect balance between theory and practice. My classes focused largely on collaborative learning in small groups which attributed to a dynamic, engaging and interesting learning environment." Jenny Higgs, MA Translation, Interpreting and Subtitling

Program Outline

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of compulsory and optional modules chosen from lists. The nature of this course is such that your individual programme will differ depending upon your pre-existing language qualifications/ the language(s) you choose to study during your course. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

---

---

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

---

---

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 1 Year 2 Year Away Final Year This introductory module provides a foundation of key concepts relating to languages, language learning and intercultural communication. It develops language awareness and complements the skills required for language-specific modules. View Language Expert 1 on our Module Directory COMPONENT 02: OPTIOL Language (advanced) option from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 03: OPTIOL Language (higher intermediate or above) or Intensive Initial Parts I & II (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 04: OPTIOL Language (initial to advanced) (30 CREDITS) What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market. View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory This module brings together the knowledge gained in Language Expert 1 and 2 and further develops your language competence and intercultural awareness. You will also develop research skills which you will need for your final year Capstone Project. View Language Expert 2 on our Module Directory COMPONENT 02: OPTIOL Language (proficiency) option from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 03: OPTIOL Language (advanced or above) option from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 04: OPTIOL Language (lower intermediate or above) option from list (30 CREDITS) What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market. View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory View Year Abroad Modules on our Module Directory View Year Abroad Project on our Module Directory What are your responsibilities when translating or interpreting professionally? What are the contexts in which interpreting can take place? And what tools are available to assist you when translating or interpreting? Examine the issues that face professional translators and interpreters alongside the theoretical concepts and considerations. View Principles of Translation and Interpreting on our Module Directory Want hands-on experience of the key technologies that aid translation today? Become a confident user of CAT (computer aided translation) in the translation environment. Practice and develop your translation and editing skills via our practical workshops, so that you are familiar with all stages of the translation process. View Technologies of Translation on our Module Directory What is audiovisual translation? This module will introduce you to the key theoretical concepts and professional practices in audiovisual and multimodal text translation. You will explore key theories and current trends in the field and develop a critical awareness of the practical, linguistic, social and cultural issues associated with audiovisual translation. Practical assignments in subtitling, dubbing and voiceover will help you to apply your knowledge and develop the technical skillss required to work in this specialised field. View Audiovisual Translation on our Module Directory This module will acquaint you with some of the existing approaches and issues in intercultural communication, balancing theoretical insight with advanced practical skills. You will investigate communication patterns in different cultures and languages including illocutionary force, indirect speech acts and politeness and look at how cultural norms, values and conventions influence linguistic choices across languages and cultures. View Intercultural Communication: communicating across languages and cultures on our Module Directory Want to produce accurate and reader-friendly interlingual subtitles? How do you recognise good subtitling? What skills does it require? Develop your understanding of the subtitling process. Learn to use the spotting and word-processing functions of professional subtitling software, while building your proof reading and editing skills. View Subtitling: Principles and Practice on our Module Directory Do you want to keep abreast of the translation industry and gain a clear overviewof current translation technologies? This module will enable you to gain hands on experience of Computer Aided Translation tools and looks at a range of technologically sophisticated added value services, including website localisation and desktop publishing, to help you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully place yourself into this rapidly expanding industry. View Technologies of Translation II and Post Editing on our Module Directory COMPONENT 07: OPTIOL Translation Portfolio I (language specific from list) (15 CREDITS) COMPONENT 08: OPTIOL Translation Portfolio II (language specific from list) (15 CREDITS)

---

---

Year abroad

On your year abroad, you have the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised.

---

---

Teaching

• Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, discussion classes, role-plays and class presentations. In your Masters, it also includes demonstrations and learning by teaching others
• We run a weekly departmental seminar, attended by both staff and students
• State-of-the-art technologies and materials create an ideal learning environment

---

---

Assessment

• You’re assessed through a combination of coursework (assignments, essays and tests) and end-of-year examinations.
• Other assessment methods include quizzes, presentations, portfolios, group work, and projects.