BIOLOGY TEACHING ORGANISATION

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT RECORD
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FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS
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Foreign language skills are highly valued by employers. At the very least, they indicate an openness of mind - that you have taken courses to broaden your education and that could be of value in your future career.

Foreign language skills: You should know -

• Which foreign language courses are available, and when to take them during your university career (see below)

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You can take language courses as part of your biology curriculum - preferably in your first or second year, because after that you will want to focus on your biology courses.

Some students choose to take a full course in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, etc. But there are rather few places on these courses (run by the Faculty of Arts) and you would need to have a good Highers or A-level pass in order to take them. You would be in a class with students who have come to university to study languages, so you need to be good!

For many scientists, a better alternative is to take language courses designed specially for Science students.

Language Courses for Scientists (click on any course below to find the Calendar entry)

French language (intermediate half course) level 1

This course in spoken and written French is designed for students who have some knowledge of French (for example, Standard grade/GCSE level) and who wish to extend it.

You can take this course from October to January (Mondays and Thursdays 1.30 - 3.00 pm, plus one hour language laboratory per week) in the BTO Building.

The course is also repeated in the second half of the year (February to May, Tuesdays and Fridays 3.30 - 5.00 pm, plus one hour language laboratory per week) in the BTO Building.

French language (intermediate half course) level 2

This course in spoken and written French is designed for students who have completed the French Intermediate Level 1 course or who have reached an equivalent standard [you will have an evaluation test to see which course is most suitable for you].

You can take this course from October to January (Mondays and Thursdays 3.30 - 5.00 pm, plus one hour language laboratory per week) in the BTO Building.

The course is also repeated in the second half of the year (February to May, Tuesdays and Fridays 1.30 - 3.00 pm, plus one hour language laboratory per week) in the BTO Building.

German Language for Scientists (half course) level 1

This course is designed to introduce the German language to beginners in the Science & Engineering Faculty. Like the French level 1 course, it can be taken from October to January (Monday 2.00 - 4.00 pm and Tuesday 3.00 - 5.00 pm) and is repeated (February to May, at the same times). BUT it is run in the David Hume Tower, NOT at King's Buildings.

German Language for Scientists (half course) level 2

This course is a continuation of the Level 1 course. It can be taken from October to January (Monday 4.00 - 6.00 pm and Friday 2.00 - 4.00 pm) and is repeated (February to May, at the same times). It is run in the David Hume Tower, NOT at King's Buildings.

Italian Language half course (level 1)

This is NOT a course designed specially for scientists, but it does aim to give beginners a working knowledge of spoken and written Italian. It can be taken from October to January or from February to May (4 hours per week, at times to be arranged).

Italian Language half course (level 2)

This course follows on from the level 1 course and can be taken from October to January or from February to May (4 hours per week).

You should note that the half courses in French and German are NOT equivalent to the language courses taken by students in the Arts Faculty. They do not necessarily lead onto Second-year French, German etc.

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