(Integrated Master in Modern Languages:) Integrated Master in Modern Languages
Modern Languages (Translation)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Masters
Full-time
Languages, Cultures and Societies
MLANR990
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
A-levels: AAB including B in the language that you would like to major in.
BTEC: DDD, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
IB: 33 points or 3 Higher Level certificates with 665 including Higher Level study of the language you would like to major in.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme Courses (formerly certificates) at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
Access to HE Diploma: 24 level 3 credits at Distinction and 21 level 3 credits at Merit
T-levels: Distinction*, depending on subject studied -advice on acceptability can be provided.
What if I don’t achieve the grades I hoped?
If your final grades are not as high as you had hoped, the good news is you may still be able to secure a place with us on a course which includes a foundation year. Visit our undergraduate application information page for more details.
What if I have a non-traditional academic background?
Don’t worry. To gain a deeper knowledge of your course suitability, we will look at your educational and employment history, together with your personal statement and reference.
You may be considered for entry into Year 1 of your chosen course. Alternatively, some UK and EU applicants may be considered for Essex Pathways, an additional year of study (known as a foundation year/year 0) helping students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in order to succeed on their chosen course. You can find a list of Essex Pathways courses and entry requirements here
If you are a mature student, further information is here
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall. Different requirements apply for second year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
Mrs Enza Siciliano Verruccio
Associate Professor
University of Reading
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- Enable students to become proficient in two or more modern languages, developing an appropriate level of fluency and accuracy in using the languages as a medium of understanding, expression and communication (both oral and written), with awareness of stylistic and sociolinguistic variation, and (where relevant higher-level courses are taken) developing a corresponding level of proficiency in translation and creative writing.
- Develop students' understanding of aspects of the culture and society of countries which use the chosen modern languages as a medium of communication, enabling them to draw comparisons with their own culture and observe contrasts and (through the year aboard) to experience, engage with and integrate into another culture.
- Offer students the opportunity to become familiar with linguistic techniques used to describe aspects of the structure of one or more modern languages, or to acquire knowledge, understanding and skills in another field (depending on the options chosen). Equip students with a range of transferable cognitive, practical and key skills, and a foundation for further study, employment and lifelong learning.
- To introduce students to the principles underlying the practice of translation of texts from different genres from one language into another.
- To develop students’ ability to translate quickly and accurately between English and one other language (chosen from French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish).
- To introduce students to the stylistic differences between different genres of writing and to develop their ability to write in different styles in a non-native language.
- To introduce students to the principles of subtitling and enable them to create their own subtitles in one language from speech in another.
- To introduce students to the use of computer software in translation interpreting and subtitling, and to give them experience of using e-resources in translating and subtitling.
- To provide students with a solid understanding of the ethics and practice of professional translation and subtitling.
- To equip students with the practical and key skills necessary for employment in professional translation and subtitling.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Phonology, morphology, syntax, lexis, usage, and socio-stylistic variation in the chosen modern language(s), and (on relevant higher-level courses) techniques of translation and creative writing.
A2: Aspects of the culture and society of one or more countries which use the chosen modern language(s) as a medium of communication, drawing comparisons with their own culture and observing contrasts.
A3: Linguistic concepts and metalanguage used to describe and analyse the chosen modern language(s), and analytic methods and techniques used to analyse texts and other authentic modern language materials from a variety of perspectives
A4: Principles of translation, subtitling, and writing in a non-native language.
A5: Technologies used to support translation and subtitling.
A6: Ethics and code of practice in professional translation/subtitling
A7: Specialist vocabulary for a range of commercial, public sector and media contexts.
Learning methods
Modern Language proficiency A1 is developed through classwork, homework, use of dedicated software and Web materials, and the year abroad (where specific language modules are followed in addition to modules relating to Translation).
Cultural awareness A2 is developed through class and web materials, and the year abroad (during which students experience, engage with and integrate into another culture,
by a period of study at a partner institution offering the opportunity to operate in a different academic, linguistic and cultural environment and the opportunity to carry out a research Project relating to the Translation element of this course.
Skills of linguistic analysis A3 are developed through study of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class.
A4 and A5 are addressed through attendance at lectures and application of the principles encountered in lectures to practical tasks undertaken in classes, labs and in independent work.
A6 is addressed through lectures and seminar discussion.
A7 is developed through the construction of personal glossaries based on assignments undertaken in class, lab and independent work.
All three types of knowledge and understanding are reinforced by feedback from staff in class, in office hours, or by email.
Assessment methods
Methods employed to assess knowledge and understanding on Modern Languages courses typically include: role-play activities; class presentations; oral exams; written coursework, e.g. Essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; class tests; web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials.
Methods used to assess knowledge and understanding for the final year, postgraduate level modules typically include translations, subtitling assignments, creative writing and essays.
A key measure to help assess knowledge and understanding will be in the third year capstone project, which will help to demonstrate the student’s overall knowledge.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Abstract and synthesise information from authentic written and spoken language materials.
Using discipline-based training to think cricially and analytically in relation to a number of different academic disciplines related to Latin America
B2: Interact in the chosen languages, expressing one's own ideas (and responding to those put forward by others) coherently and articulately. Apply a wide range of relevant primary and secondary written, oral and visual sources in their original language.
B3: Use language that is appropriate to different spoken registers and written genres.
B4: Analyse authentic Modern Language materials from a variety of perspectives. Reason critically, identify, analyse and solve problems, using appropriate methodologies and theories in a modern European language in addition to their native language
B5: Organise ideas, arguments and evidence in the production of written and oral discourse.
B6: Critically evaluate the effectiveness of language used for different communicative purposes.
Learning methods
Methods employed to develop cognitive skills on Modern Languages courses typically include: group discussion of topical themes and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class; laboratory work involving use of dedicated software and Web materials; and staff advice, feedback and interaction with students in office hours and via email. Methods will also be employed by applying knowledge acquired in lectures to practical tasks undertaken in classes, labs and in independent work.
Assessment methods
Methods employed to assess cognitive skills on Modern Languages courses typically include: role-play activities; class presentations; oral exams; written coursework, e.g.
Essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; class tests; web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials.
Methods used to assess practical skills, predominantly in the final year postgraduate level modules, typically include translations, subtitling assignments and creative writing.
A key measure to help assess intellectual and cognitive skills will be demonstrated in the third year capstone project, which will incorporate all of these learning outcomes.
C: Practical skills
C1: Organising and presenting (orally and in writing) ideas and materials in the specialist languages
C2: Gathering and processing information from different sources, e.g. doing a bibliographic search in the library, accessing material from online databases and locating and downloading appropriate foreign language materials from the Web.
C3: Production of fast and accurate written translations of texts drawn from a variety of genres.
C4: Production of fast and accurate oral translations of aurally presented discourse across a range of registers.
C5: Use of computer-based technologies in translating and subtitling.
C6: Effective writing that is appropriate to a range of genres in English and one other language.
C7: Ability to conduct an independent research project.
Learning methods
Methods employed to develop practical skills typically include: group discussion of topical themes and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class; laboratory work involving use of dedicated software and Web materials; and staff advice, feedback and interaction with students in office hours and via email. Methods also used include translation, interpreting and subtitling and guided writing undertaken in classes and labs, and undertaken as independent work outside the classroom.
Assessment methods
Methods employed to assess practical skills typically include: role-play activities; class presentations; oral exams; written coursework, e.g. Essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; class tests; web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials. Further Methods used to assess practical skills typically include translations, subtitling assignments, creative writing.
Students will also be required to undertake a research project, combining skills and knowledge across a multitude of modules.
D: Key skills
D1: Communicating ideas, information and arguments in oral and written form in the specialist languages, with a level of fluency, accuracy, clarity and effectiveness (and sensitivity to register and style) which depends on the level of the modules taken
D2: IT skills which can include word processing, Powerpoint, e-mail, bibliographic searches, locating and downloading foreign language internet materials, translation, use of subtitling software, and utilising editing and subtitling software packages to improve language competence and support professional skills.
D3:
D4: Analysing modern language materials, identifying problems and creatively discussing solutions; project management.
D5: Collaborate with others to work creatively and flexibly as part of a team
D6: Working autonomously showing organisation, self-discipline and time management; and using e-resources to inform decisions.
Learning methods
Methods employed to develop key skills on Modern Languages courses typically include: group discussion of topical themes and analysis of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials in class; laboratory work involving use of dedicated software and Web materials; and staff advice, feedback and interaction with students in office hours and via email. Additional methods used include translation, subtitling and guided writing undertaken in classes and labs, and undertaken as independent work outside the classroom.
Assessment methods
Methods employed to assess key skills on Modern Languages courses typically include: role-play activities; class presentations, in some cases using PowerPoint; oral exams; written coursework, e.g. Essays, book reports, translations, project work; unseen written exams; class tests; web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials. Additional methods used include translations, subtitling assignments and creative writing and essays.
Students will also undertake a capstone project in their third year. This will be taken whilst students are abroad and supported by supervisors at the University of Essex. This will allow students to develop their skills in working autonomously (D6).