Languages for All

Languages for All is the new university-wide scheme for 'non-specialist' linguists wishing to develop foreign language skills within their main degree programme. This could be learning a new language from scratch, or else continuing to build on a language started at school or college.

You can take a foreign language module as a choice within 120 credits of your degree programme. If you are on a programme where there is no modular choice, and you are a full-time undergraduate starting in September 2012, then there will be no extra charge if you take a language as an additional module.

Taking a foreign language module could be very useful to you in gaining that competitive edge in an increasingly global labour market. The University of Sheffield encourages its students to enhance their degree through foreign language skills, gaining an international experience, and becoming 'culturally agile'.

The Confederation of British Industry report "The Value of Education and Skills in Turbulent Times (2009) stressed that UK businesses competing in an increasingly globalised commercial environment place a high value on language skills. Many employers are seeking graduates who may not necessarily have advanced linguistic skills but who can comunicate conversationally in the foreign language as this helps to 'break the ice' with potential business partners.

Most language modules are available from beginners through to advanced levels of learning. Many of the classes wil include only 'non-specialist' students, in other words from a range of degree disciplines, but in some cases you might be taught alongside specialist linguists also following that module.

You will be able to record your additional languages achievements on the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR), a new national record of all your achievements at university.

You can navigate the About the gateway:your choices page to find the right programme for you.

Please note that native speakers are not allowed to enrol on LfA modules.