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Find a short description of the various module levels offered at CLIE below.
Full details are in the module descriptions/syllabus for each module. You will get the opportunity to discuss your individual language-learning experience with a CLIE language tutor during the registration interview, when your level will be determined.
- Level 1
Prerequisite for entry
For complete beginners or those who have had only very little contact with the language.
Aims and objectives
The aim of the course is to enable students to function at a basic everyday survival level (basic vocabulary, grammar, morphology, syntax and phonetics).
On completion of the course students should be able to communicate in and understand the language on a number of practical everyday matters. Language learning skills, including autonomous learning and how to approach authentic material, will be developed. Some transferable skills will also be covered.
- Level 2
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 1 at the UCL CLIE or a similar course and have limited experience of dealing with authentic material.
Aims and objectives
The aim of the course is to give students an opportunity to revise their survival skills and acquire more sophisticated ways of dealing with practical matters. This includes revision and consolidation of vocabulary, grammar, morphology, syntax and phonetics.
On completion of the course students should be able to communicate in and understand the language on many practical everyday matters related to various aspects of the culture of the countries where the language is spoken. Cultural awareness will be developed. Language learning skills, including autonomous learning and how to approach authentic material, will be enhanced. Some transferable skills will also be covered.
- Level 3
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 2 at the UCL CLIE or a similar course and have experience of dealing with relevant authentic material.
Aims and objectives
The aim of the course is to enable students with a good basic knowledge of the language to develop the four skills further. Students should then be able to communicate in most situations within countries where the language is spoken.
On completion of the course students will be able to converse reasonably fluently with native speakers and discuss personal, social and current issues using appropriate structures.
Cultural awareness will be further developed. Language learning skills, including autonomous learning and how to approach authentic material, will be enhanced. Some transferable skills will also be covered.
- Level 3: Academic Purposes - Introduction
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 2 at the UCL CLIE or a similar course and have experience of dealing with relevant authentic material.
Aims and objectives
The course is designed for intermediate level students requiring the language for studying abroad for a short period (e.g. 2-3 months).
The course comprises knowledge and understanding both of the structure of the language and its use in academic environments, such as attending cultural events and taking notes related to their studies. The course covers academic culture and university life to prepare students for a short study period in the target language countries. Students will develop critical thinking and read academic texts. This will be related back to the student's degree subject.
The course will enhance knowledge and use of linguistic structures (a variety of styles and registers from a range of appropriate authentic academic material). Various transferable skills will also be further developed.
- Level 4
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 3 at the UCL CLIE or if you are reasonably fluent in the language and are able to discuss a range of issues (low A level grade*).
Aims and objectives
The aim of the course is to enable students who already have a reasonably advanced knowledge of the language to acquire a better fluency in the language. Students should then be able to communicate in all situations within countries where the language is spoken.
On completion of the course students will be able to converse with native speakers, follow debates and give presentations relating to their degree as well as discussing current issues (local and worldwide) using more complex and linguistically accurate structures (different types of discourse, register).
Cultural awareness will be further developed and raised within a European/global context. Language learning skills, including autonomous learning and how to approach authentic material, will be further enhanced. Various transferable skills will also be covered.
* Or equivalent.
- Level 5: Business and Current Affairs
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 4 at the UCL CLIE, a high A level grade*, or if you have a very good grasp of the language and are able to conduct a conversation without difficulty.
Aims and objectives
The course is designed for advanced level students. It teaches specialised vocabulary to enable participants to use their language skills in a professional environment, such as meetings and conferences, as well as covering related topics such as current affairs and the latest trends in society. The course will enhance knowledge of life, society and business culture using complex and linguistically accurate structures (different types of discourse, register).
Cultural awareness will be further developed and raised within a European/global context. Language learning skills, including autonomous learning and how to approach authentic material, will be further enhanced. Various transferable skills will also be covered.
* Or equivalent.
- Level 6: Current Affairs and Culture
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 5 at the UCL CLIE, have completed some post-A level training or spent some time in the country actively using the language.
Aims and objectives
The course comprises knowledge and understanding both of the structure of the language and of the cultural (social, historical and political) contexts in which it is currently used.
It enables participants to use their language skills in an academic environment. The course covers recent history, current affairs and the latest issues in society as well as other related topics. Students will give presentations and are involved in roundtable discussions and debates on a variety of current issues.
Cultural awareness will be further developed and raised within a European/global context.
The course will enhance knowledge and use of linguistically complex structures (a variety of styles and registers from a range of authentic material). Various transferable skills will also be further developed.
- Level 7: Professional Purposes
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 6 at the UCL CLIE, or equivalent qualifications/experience.
Aims and objectives
The course is designed for very advanced level students requiring the language for professional purposes.
It comprises knowledge and understanding both of the structure of the language and its use in professional environments, such as presentations, meetings and conferences. The course covers career development in the target language countries, business culture and conventions, negotiating and interacting, reading specialist texts (i.e. in the student's main degree subject e.g. engineering), note taking and debates as well as other related topics. These areas will be related back to the student's degree subject.
The course will enhance knowledge and use of linguistically complex structures (a variety of styles and registers from a range of authentic material). Various transferable skills will also be further developed.
- Level 7: Academic Purposes
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 6 at the UCL CLIE, or equivalent qualifications/experience.
Aims and objectives
The course is designed for very advanced level students requiring the language for academic purposes.
The course comprises knowledge and understanding both of the structure of the language and its use in academic environments, such as lectures, seminars and conferences. The course covers academic development, academic culture and conventions, critical thinking, reading and writing academic texts (i.e. in the students main degree subject e.g. history) as well as other related topics to prepare students for further academic study/research in the target language countries. This will be related back to the student's degree subject.
The course will enhance knowledge and use of linguistically complex structures (a variety of styles and registers from a range of authentic academic material). Various transferable skills will also be further developed.
- Level 7: Translation Skills
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 6 at the UCL CLIE, or equivalent qualifications/experience.
Aims and objectives
The course is designed for very advanced level non-linguist students to enable them to produce accurate translations from a range of subjects and text types.
The course covers translation skills development mainly from English into the target language (although some translation into English will also be practised), with the objective of producing different types of written translations, some of them relating back to the students' degree subject.
The course will cover fundamental theoretical concepts of translation but with the focus on teaching practical translation skills, making students aware of linguistic and cultural differences in subject-related areas.
The course will enhance knowledge and use of linguistically complex structures (a variety of styles and registers from a range of authentic academic material). Various transferable skills will also be further developed.
- Levels 6+7: Professional Purposes
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 5 at the UCL CLIE, have completed some post-A level training or spent some time in the country actively using the language.
Aims and objectives
The course is designed for advanced level students requiring the language for professional purposes.
It comprises knowledge and understanding both of the structure of the language and its use in professional environments, such as presentations, meetings and conferences. The course covers career development in the target language countries, business culture and conventions, negotiating and interacting, reading specialist texts (i.e. in the student's main degree subject e.g. engineering), note taking and debates as well as other related topics. These areas will be related back to the student's degree subject.
The course will enhance knowledge and use of linguistically complex structures (a variety of styles and registers from a range of authentic material). Various transferable skills will also be further developed.
- Levels 6+7: Academic Purposes
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 5 at the UCL CLIE, have completed some post-A level training or spent some time in the country actively using the language.
Aims and objectives
The course is designed for advanced level students requiring the language for academic purposes.
The course comprises knowledge and understanding both of the structure of the language and its use in academic environments, such as lectures, seminars and conferences. The course covers academic development, academic culture and conventions, critical thinking, reading and writing academic texts (i.e. in the students main degree subject e.g. history) as well as other related topics to prepare students for further academic study/research in the target language countries. This will be related back to the student's degree subject.
The course will enhance knowledge and use of linguistically complex structures (a variety of styles and registers from a range of authentic academic material). Various transferable skills will also be further developed.
- Levels 6+7: Translation Skills
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 5 at the UCL CLIE, have completed some post-A level training or spent some time in the country actively using the language.
Aims and objectives
The course is designed for advanced level non-linguist students to enable them to produce accurate translations from a range of subjects and text types.
The course covers translation skills development mainly from English into the target language (although some translation into English will also be practised), with the objective of producing different types of written translations, some of them relating back to the students' degree subject.
The course will cover fundamental theoretical concepts of translation but with the focus on teaching practical translation skills, making students aware of linguistic and cultural differences in subject-related areas.
The course will enhance knowledge and use of linguistically complex structures (a variety of styles and registers from a range of authentic academic material). Various transferable skills will also be further developed.
- Levels 7+7: Professional and Academic Purposes
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 6 at the UCL CLIE, or equivalent qualifications/experience.
Aims and objectives
The course is designed for very advanced level students requiring the language for professional and academic purposes.
It comprises knowledge and understanding both of the structure of the language and its use in professional and academic environments, such as presentations, meetings, lectures, seminars and conferences. The course covers career and academic development in the target language countries, business and academic cultures and conventions, negotiating and interacting, critical thinking, reading and writing specialist academic texts (i.e. in the student's main degree subject e.g. engineering, history), note taking and debates as well as other related topics to prepare students for working and/or further academic study/research in the target language countries.. These areas will be related back to the student's degree subject.
The course will enhance knowledge and use of linguistically complex structures (a variety of styles and registers from a range of authentic professional and academic material). Various transferable skills will also be further developed.
- Level 2: Art Historians
Prerequisite for entry
Completion of level 1 at the UCL CLIE or a similar course and have experience of dealing with relevant authentic material. The course is open to all students who are interested in reading texts related to art history.
Aims and objectives
The aim of the course is to increase the student's confidence and speed in reading authentic target language texts related to History of Art and to help them acquire necessary skills for this specific use of the language.
Students will be expected to extract subject related information from a variety of authentic target language sources to complement their existing knowledge. Students will also be encouraged to develop their listening abilities.
Language learning skills, including autonomous learning and how to approach authentic material, will be enhanced. Some transferable skills will also be covered.