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Language Skills

The University offers courses for both International Students who want to improve their English, and students who want to study another language

English Skills

The Centre for English Language Teaching (CELT) runs English language support courses for International students; providing the equivalent of two free courses (16 hours in terms 1 and 2) to students in the first year of their study at York. Open access courses are available in the following areas:

  • Academic Writing - Process
  • Advanced Academic Writing - Structure
  • Advanced Language and Culture
  • Academic Listening and Speaking Skills
  • Everyday Listening and Speaking
  • Cambridge General English at FCE, CAE and CPE levels
  • English for Partners (for spouses of staff and students)

If a suitable course for you is not found, one-to-one tutorials or consultations to help you discuss drafts of writing or presentations can be arranged. In the summer term, Dissertation Writing Workshops are offered

For more information, visit the CELT Website

Languages for All (LFA)

LFA offers a range of foreign language courses to help you communicate with people from other countries, gain an insight into different cultures and acquire a skill which will be valuable in the employment world. Courses are open to all students in the university.

LFA offers you the opportunity to:

  • Start a new language
  • Improve fluency in speaking
  • Brush up rusty language skills
  • Complete an assessed course covering speaking, listening, reading and writing
  • Gain 'survival skills' before going on a trip abroad
  • Prepare for studying, researching or working abroad
  • Develop skills to help you do business in a foreign language
  • Learn to read and translate foreign literature and other foreign language texts.

The languages offered are: Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Latin (Classical and Medieval), Mandarin Chinese, Modern Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Fee payable Courses are available, subject to demand, at a range of levels from beginners to degree standard and in a variety of formats: short (4-week), medium (8-week) and long (17-week; 20-week) courses. It is possible to combine an LFA course with your studies or research in any subject, as you can choose to take classes at lunchtime, during the day or in the evening. Assessed courses, leading to the award of the LFA certificate are offered, as well as some non-assessed courses.

For further information, visit the LFA Website