If you’re looking to pick up a new language but aren’t sure where to begin, the beginner-friendly evening courses offer a structured and accessible way to get started. The Department of Modern Foreign Languages has currently collaborated with the Postgraduate and International Office to offer evening language classes for four different languages. At the moment, the choice is between French, German, Spanish and Chinese but Arabic will soon also be available. These courses are aimed at students who have basic or no knowledge of their foreign language of choice.
Although you can learn a new language online, it is undeniable that face-to-face contact with a small group and personalised attention from a lecturer provides you with a completely different, more rounded experience. An online course does not hold you accountable to be continuously engaging in your new language, nor does it facilitate the cultural exchange that these short courses do. Seeing as this program is available to both Stellenbosch University students as well as to the public, networking and social growth are very real possibilities. The diversity of the members fosters an environment whereby you are encouraged to reflect on your own perspective, hence broadening your intercultural competence.
Further benefits of bilingualism — even without an official certificate — include increased employability and travel opportunities as well as improved cognitive abilities. There have also been studies that prove that it slows age related effects in specific cognitive functions.
Each language course consists of two 90 minute classes per week for 11 weeks in various rooms of the Arts and Social Science building. Each course starts in the last week of February and ends on 14 or 15 May, depending what language you decide to pursue. The French and Chinese classes are from 17:30-19:00 every Monday and Wednesday in room 553 and room 547 respectively while the German and Spanish classes are from 17:30-19:00 every Tuesday and Thursday in room 551 and room 545 respectively. The registration deadline has been extended to 28 February, but if you happen to miss it, don’t be concerned, there is a new intake at the start of every semester. It must be noted that classes are only during semester time (excluding official public holidays).
The goal is to help beginners understand, speak, read and write at a basic level. To prove their abilities and advance their learning, students will then be tested on the final day of their course. In under four months, you will be able to have a conversation in a language you had previously never heard or spoken before!
By Holly Clowes
