Oxford – Beginners’ Italian & Linguistics

This course incorporates the study of a language with analysis of language itself. Both disciplines work well together, and a student on this course will leave fluent in a foreign language with an in-depth understanding of how language works. It is possible to choose a beginner’s language (Greek, Italian or Portuguese) instead of one already studied at school. It’s a small course with an annual intake of a little over 30 undergraduates.

On the linguistics side, teaching covers the formation of sentences, sound perception and production, the evolution of language and how it is organised in our brains. In the first year, the linguistics topics studied are more relatively broad. After this, students specialise more in the linguistics of the language they have chosen.

On the Modern Language side, students complete practical language work - mostly translations. They will also study the literature of their chosen language and write essays to be discussed in tutorials. After the first year, students can choose which literature topics to take. The third year is spent abroad, as in the Modern Languages course, so the total course in four years long.

An A Level (or equivalent) in the chosen language is required, unless it is a beginners’ language. It may also be useful to take English Language, Maths, a science or another language, though this is not considered essential.