Diploma in Languages | 2020

Overview 

The globalisation of the economy and culture means that knowledge of a language is more and more in demand. Learning a second language will develop and improve your communication skills and give you a greater understanding of a different country and its culture. Studying a language makes you more employable and will prepare you to work in a multicultural and globalised economy. 

In the core subjects you will learn to understand and speak a language in social situations, and you will acquire an understanding of the cultural heritage, history and contemporary society of another country. The Diploma in Languages can be studied by itself (for Domestic students) or concurrently with another UOW degree (for both Domestic and International students); if studied concurrently, you would take one language subject per session, along with the other subjects from your degree. At the completion of your studies at UOW, you will graduate with two awards; your degree and the Diploma in Languages. 

Entry Requirements & Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.

International students cannot take the Diploma as a standalone program, and must study concurrently with another UOW degree.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

For learning outcomes specific to the chosen language of study, please see the entries below. 

Course Structure

To qualify for the award of the Diploma in Languages students must complete at least 48 credit points from subjects listed for: 

• Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students
• Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students
• French
• Italian
• Japanese
• Spanish

Subjects can be counted only in one degree. That is, subjects counted towards the Diploma cannot be counted towards another degree. 

Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students

Mandarin is the first language of more than one billion people and is the most spoken language in the world. China has a 5,000-year history and culture and boasts the fastest-growing economy worldwide. Cultural and economic exchange between China and its neighbours is continually increasing and Chinese language skills are now in great demand. This UOW degree is for students who already know Chinese characters, but who either speak a Chinese dialect such as Shanghainese, Cantonese or Taiwanese and do not speak Mandarin, or wish to improve their Mandarin skills.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background Students program in the Diploma in Languages students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of Mandarin language and grammar from the comparative linguistic perspective;
2. Effectively communicate in a wide range of genres in Mandarin, including academic essay writing at undergraduate level;
3. Comprehend Classical Chinese texts with the assistance of annotations;
4. Critically analyse and evaluate Chinese heritage, modern Chinese history and contemporary China;
5. Effectively translate texts from English into Chinese.

Subjects Required for Major Study

A major in Chinese (Mandarin) for students with a background in Chinese characters consists of at least 48 credit points as outlined below.

Students commencing at beginner level must complete all core subjects, plus a minimum of two subjects from the list of electives. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline Leader.

A student with appropriate prior language skills may commence at second year (with permission from the program). These students must complete all 200 and 300 level core subjects, all elective subjects, plus one other subject with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline Leader. 

Click on subject codes in the above tables for information on sessions of offer for each subject. To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students

Mandarin is the first language of more than one billion people and is the most spoken language in the world. China has a 5,000-year history and culture and boasts the fastest-growing economy worldwide. Cultural and economic exchange between China and its neighbours is continually increasing and Chinese language skills are now in great demand. The Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students major is for students who have no prior knowledge of the language, or of Chinese characters.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students program in the Diploma in Languages will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of the Mandarin language and grammar;
2. Comprehend spoken and written Chinese equivalent to Level 3 in the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and B1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR);
3. Communicate in both spoken and written Chinese equivalent to Level 3 in the CLPS and B1 level in the CEFR;
4. Critically analyse and evaluate historical events and socio-cultural forces that have shaped modern China, its people and language. 

Subjects Required for Major Study

A major in Chinese (Mandarin) for students without a background in Chinese consists of at least 48 credit points as outlined below.

Students commencing at beginner level must complete all core subjects, plus a minimum of two subjects from the list of electives. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline Leader.

A student who studied Mandarin to HSC level may commence at second year (with permission of the program). These students must complete all 200 and 300 level core subjects, all elective subjects, plus one other subject with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline Leader.

Click on subject codes in the above tables for information on sessions of offer for each subject. To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

French 

French is one of the two working languages of the United Nations and many other organisations actively engaged in international politics and welfare (such as the Red Cross, the Olympic Games, the EU). As the language of a former colonial power and a language spoken on all five continents, it continues to play an important part in the arts, politics and daily lives of millions of people throughout the world. 

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the French program in the Diploma in Languages students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the French language and grammar;
2. Communicate in both spoken and written French at B2 Level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR);
3. Comprehend spoken and written French at B2 level in the CEFR;
4. Critically analyse and evaluate historical events and socio-cultural forces that have shaped modern France, its people and language.

Subjects Required for Major Study

A major in French consists of at least 48 credit points as outlined below.

Students commencing at beginner level must complete all core subjects, plus a minimum of one subject from the list of electives. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline Leader.

A student who studied French to HSC level may commence at second year (with permission of the program). These students must complete all 200 and 300 level core subjects, all elective subjects, plus one other subject with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline Leader.

Click on subject codes in the above tables for information on sessions of offer for each subject. To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

Italian (Not on offer in 2020)

Learning Italian will give you access to one of the richest European cultural traditions and to the language of opera, film and music, as well as the language of architecture, fashion and industrial design. Speaking Italian is advantageous if you are interested in international law, economics, commerce and trade. In addition, because of the large number of Italian speakers in Australia, Italian is also relevant to areas such as migrant studies and sociology.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the Italian program in the Diploma in Languages students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the Italian language and grammar;
2. Communicate in both spoken and written Italian at B2 Level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR);
3. Comprehend spoken and written Italian at B2 level in the CEFR;
4. Critically analyse and evaluate historical events and socio-cultural forces that have shaped modern Italy, its people and language.

Subjects Required for Major Study

A major in Italian consists of at least 48 credit points as outlined below.

Students commencing at beginner level must complete all core subjects, plus a minimum of one subject from the list of electives. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline Leader.

A student who studied Italian to HSC level may commence at second year (with permission of the program). These students must complete all 200 and 300 level core subjects, all elective subjects, plus one other subject with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline Leader.

Click on subject codes in the above tables for information on sessions of offer for each subject. To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

Japanese

Japan offers a rich culture of history, literature and arts, with its long history and a culture which features both traditional and ultra-modern elements. Japan also plays an important role on the Asia-Pacific political and economic stage, and is one of Australia’s major trading partners. The study of Japanese opens up a whole new world of linguistic and cultural experience that offers employment and research opportunities. It also provides access to the exciting culture of Japanese anime, manga and film.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the Japanese program in the Diploma in Languages students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of the Japanese language and grammar;
2. Comprehend spoken and written Japanese to at least B1 Level in the Japan Foundation's (JF) Japanese Language Educational Standard;
3. Communicate in both spoken and written Japanese to at least B1 Level in the JF’s Japanese Language Educational Standard;
4. Critically analyse and evaluate historical events and socio-cultural forces that have shaped modern Japan, its people and language. 

Subjects Required for Major Study

A major in Japanese consists of at least 48 credit points as outlined below.

Students commencing at beginner level must complete all core subjects plus one of either JAPA341 and JAPA343 and one of either JAPA342 and JAPA344. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline Leader.

A student who studied Japanese to HSC level may commence at second year (with permission of the program). These students must complete all 200 and 300 level subjects listed.. 

Click on subject codes in the above tables for information on sessions of offer for each subject. To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

Spanish

Spanish is the world's second most spoken language after Chinese, and is the second most used language in international communication. Speaking Spanish will allow you to communicate with more than 495 million people worldwide and will also greatly increase your employment options with many of the world's leading economies demanding Spanish speakers. Hispanic culture continues to have a global impact on film, architecture, cinema, art and literature.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the Spanish program in the Diploma in Languages students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the Spanish language and grammar;
2. Communicate in both spoken and written Spanish at B2 Level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR);
3. Comprehend spoken and written Spanish at B2 level in the CEFR;
4. Critically analyse and evaluate historical events and socio-cultural forces that have shaped the Hispanic world, its people and the Spanish language.

Subjects Required for Major Study

A major in Spanish consists of at least 48 credit points as outlined below.

Students commencing at beginner level must complete all core subjects, plus a minimum of one subject from the list of electives. Other subjects (including study abroad and exchange) may be included with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline Leader.

A student who studied Spanish to HSC level may commence at second year (with permission of the program). These students must complete all 200 and 300 level core subjects, all elective subjects, plus one other subject with the permission of the Languages and Linguistics Discipline Leader.

Click on subject codes in the above tables for information on sessions of offer for each subject. To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

Other Information

Students who complete the Diploma will receive a testamur on completion, however they do not attend a graduation ceremony specifically for the Diploma.

Further information is available via email: askuow@uow.edu.au