Robert Vanderplank Dr Robert Vanderplank Director LANGUAGE CENTRE. September, Dear Student, Language learning for all students at Oxford

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1 LANGUAGE CENTRE Tel: +44(0) Fax: +44(0) Robert Vanderplank B.A. (Kent) Ph.D. (Edinburgh) Director of the Language Centre September, 2016 Dear Student, Language learning for all students at Oxford Did you know that Oxford University has one of the largest and best-equipped language centres in Britain? Our web address is and full details of our courses, resources and facilities are available on this site. We offer language courses for study and research (our LASR programme) in Chinese (Mandarin), French, Georgian, German, Italian, Japanese, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian at most levels from beginner to advanced during term-time. There are self-assessment tests for some languages on our website. These courses are free of charge to Oxford students who require a language course for their study or research (priority students). For students with a general interest in language learning, however, there is a termly 38 registration charge for each course within the programme. We also offer a fast-paced, certificated, early-evening programme of courses in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish, called OPAL. The tuition fees for all OPAL courses are 225 for the taught part of the course (Michaelmas and Hilary Terms) and 65 for the optional examination and assessed project in Trinity Term. Most colleges offer a partial refund of fees on successful completion of the certificate. For international students whose first language is not English, we offer a large English for Academic Studies programme focusing on Academic Writing and Advanced Communication Skills. There is a termly registration fee of 35 for each course within this programme. For the independent language learner, we have a first-class Language Library with text, audio, video and computer-based materials in over 190 languages, as well as and Internet facilities and a language exchange board for those wanting conversational practice. A wide range of materials can be borrowed, including DVDs, and there are Library induction tours at and every day, Monday to Friday in term-time. Perhaps you may be studying a subject which offers you the chance to study a language within your degree course. Currently, if you are taking Chemistry, History, History of Art, Physics, Engineering Science, Maths or Materials, you will be offered optional courses in languages. For graduate students, there are also special language courses depending on your subject of study. I have enclosed our User s Guide which provides information on all our courses and facilities. I hope that you will come and visit us very soon. Yours sincerely, Robert Vanderplank Dr Robert Vanderplank Director

2 GUIDE TO FEES Language Library: There is no charge for senior members of Oxford University, most full-time registered students or staff of the university LASR courses: 38 registration fee per term for non-priority matriculated students 70 per term for staff/visiting and recognised students. For most courses you will be expected to purchase a course book Academic visitors, associate members and spouses: 135 per term for EAS and LASR courses 55 per term/summer vacation for library 135 per academic year for library External users (if space allows): 175 per term for LASR courses 85 per term/summer vacation for library 190 per academic year for library OPAL certificate courses: 225 course fee (Michaelmas & Hilary Terms) + 65 examination and project fee (Trinity Term) for matriculated students and staff 280 course fee (Michaelmas & Hilary Terms) + 75 examination and project fee (Trinity Term) for Associate Members/Academic Visitors/Spouses English for Academic Studies (EAS): 35 per term for students 70 per term for staff English for Spouses and Partners 135 per term TERM TIME OPENING HOURS Monday Thursday Friday Saturday See our website for times outside of term LANGUAGE CENTRE The Language Centre Tel: admin@lang.ox.ac.uk university of oxford LANGUAGE CENTRE

3 LASR LANGUAGES FOR STUDY AND RESEARCH OPAL OXFORD UNIVERSITY PROGRAMME IN LANGUAGES EAS ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC STUDIES Classes in Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Georgian, Italian, Japanese, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish Students who need a language for their study or research should ask for a priority application form before 0th week. Initial registration in Michaelmas Term (administration fee payable) takes place from Monday 3rd October to Wednesday 12th October. 2 hours of classes per week, plus 1 2 hours private study Most classes last all year For up-to-date information on courses and on-line registration go to: Check your departmental timetable first You should only register for a class when you know that you will be able to attend the class regularly. Certificate-bearing classes in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish Michaelmas and Hilary Terms 2 hours of classes per week plus at least 2 hours of personal study Late afternoon and early evenings Average class size of 12 Rapid pace Trinity Term Final written examination Guided project work and presentation of project There is a fee for the OPAL tuition and examination. College support may be available. For more information and application details visit: Courses available: Academic Writing Communication Skills Writing a Thesis or Dissertation English for Spouses and Partners of University Members English for Academic Visitors and Post-doctoral Researchers Pre-Sessional Course in English for Academic Purposes See English for Academic Studies leaflet for more information. LIBRARY The Language Centre library has language-learning materials available to borrow in over 190 languages to help you with your reading, research, exchanges, study abroad, fieldwork and holidays. See Library Guide leaflet for more information.

4 GUIDE TO FEES Use of the Language Centre library is free of charge for all members of the University of Oxford. Bring your University card to the Language Centre and complete a registration form, available from reception or in the library. Attend a library induction. These take place Monday Friday at 10am and 2pm, or by appointment with the librarian. Non-members of the University may use the library on a fee-paying, non-lending basis. TERM TIME OPENING HOURS Monday Thursday Friday Saturday See our website for times outside of term LANGUAGE CENTRE university of oxford language centre LIBRARY GUIDE The Language Centre Tel: admin@lang.ox.ac.uk

5 CAN I BORROW MATERIAL FROM THE LIBRARY? WHAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE LIBRARY? WHAT SERVICES DOES THE LIBRARY OFFER? If you have a valid University card, once you have registered you can borrow from the library using the self-service machine You can borrow up to 4 items (4 weeks for standard loans, 2 weeks for short loans) Study material in over 190 languages from beginner to advanced level A unique collection of captioned foreign-language films on DVD Over 22,000 audio and video resources Foreign newspapers and magazines More than 5,000 text and reference books 100+ computer language learning programs Brochures and information about year-round and vacation language courses abroad Live satellite broadcasting throughout the day in various languages Photocopying (within CLA guidelines): 5p each, or 10p for double-sided sheets. Please ask library staff for a photocopying form Library tours and advice on which language learning material to use Ordering new material for languages you wish to learn Past exam papers for Modern Languages and Language Centre courses Bonjour Ciao Olá

6 HOW CAN I REGISTER? You can register online at or in person at the Language Centre in 0th Week of Michaelmas Term. Places will be allocated on Thursday of 1st Week and s offering places in class will be sent from Friday of 1st Week. You can join the waiting list for courses at any time during the academic year and you will be contacted by as soon as a place becomes available. TERM TIME OPENING HOURS Monday Thursday Friday Saturday See our website for times outside of term LANGUAGE CENTRE university of oxford language centre ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC STUDIES Check your departmental timetable first You should only register for a class when you know that you will be able to attend the class regularly. The Language Centre Tel: admin@lang.ox.ac.uk

7 ACADEMIC WRITING COMMUNICATION SKILLS ENGLISH FOR SPOUSES AND PARTNERS OF UNIVERSITY MEMBERS Develop awareness of the English used in academic contexts Practice using key features of academic writing Focus on areas of language difficulty by analysing, rewriting and discussing extracts from academic writing This course focuses on different topics each term. Michaelmas Term Key Issues in Academic Writing (this course is also repeated in Hilary Term) Hilary Term Writing a Thesis or Dissertation Trinity Term Writing in your Field with Corpora Each term there is provision for dealing with your own academic writing through workshops on selfmonitoring, revising and editing. Improve your social and academic communication skills within the university setting Operate confidently and efficiently in a wide range of situations This is a one-year (three-term) course, but students can join in the first few weeks of term if places become available. COURSES OUTSIDE TERM Academic Writing: 9th Week, which covers the same material as in the term-time course but in a more intensive format. English for Academic Visitors and Postdoctoral Researchers: 3 weeks in July, with teaching on four mornings a week. Aims to improve academic written and communication skills. Pre-Sessional Course in English for Academic Purposes: Intensive 8 or 4-week course, beginning in July. Intended for international students about to start a postgraduate course at Oxford University who need to improve their communication skills. Further details (including the exact dates and fees for all of these courses) are available on our website or from the Language Centre. This course is intended for spouses or partners (male or female) whose English is at intermediate level or above. In order to benefit from this course, you should be able to express opinions on a variety of topics and understand standard spoken English reasonably well. Every encouragement will be given to those who are not accustomed to participating in discussions in English. The class concentrates on improving fluency through discussion of social issues. Participants are welcome to use the library to supplement their work in class. EDITING YOUR THESIS WITH CORPORA Editing your Thesis with Corpora is a short (12-hour) course for doctoral students who have passed their transfer examination and have chapters of their thesis ready for editing. In this course you will: Build your own specialist corpora* Identify problems in your writing Improve your texts *(a corpus is a collection of texts that can be accessed electronically). or find us on Facebook