Advantages: Excellent vocab lists
Disadvantages: Some outdated chapters on international languages

...The ties between the UK and continental Europe become closer whether we like it or not, but the linguistic competence of many English-speakers in the wonderful languages of our European friends is often very limited indeed. This book, though first published around 75 years ago, remains extremely accessible and very good value for money in its latest reprint. It surveys eight modern European languages (4 Romance languages and 4 Teutonic ones), highlighting the common features which allow someone who gains a knowledge of one to develop a rapid ability in the other three. This is backed up with lists of related vocabulary and some historical notes on why the languages are the way they are. Indeed, as an elementary linguistics textbook, this is much to be recommended, and even more so to A level (and even GCSE) students of French, German... Read review

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Advantages: Flexible, interesting, good tutors
Disadvantages: Getting books sometimes tough

...I may be one of the few people who really enjoyed virtually all of their degree, and I did Modern Languages at Durham. French and German, to be precise, but the great thing about the Durham course is that you pick and choose from modules in up to three languages each year - and there's the chance to pick up new ones each year too. There's a good balance between literature and history, linguistic and language units, and you can choose to play to your strengths. The system is well designed, you get enough contact hours to feel like you're getting enough support, and the tutors are dedicated and interesting (believe it or not). The facilities are good, with computer language labs and access to plenty of books. If you like languages at all, you'll find something for you doing this course. The employment prospects are good... Read review

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Advantages: Very personal, good range of modules.
Disadvantages: They have to share a building with the French department

...The German Department was the most approachable Modern Languages Department I have ever come across. Tutors were there, open to discussion and there was a wide range of modules in varying fields from contemporary language and linguistics, translation methodology, modern and mediaeval literature, and all backed up with good provision from Native Language Tutors. Due to the small size of the department, there can only have been about 30 of us in my final year, there was a generally good rapport between staff and students, with many of the tutors still keeping in touch with the students after graduation. Whilst they were friendly, there was a general mutual respect, and shirking was not tolerated. The Department was highly organised, efficient, helpful and willing to help, and were always keen to harness extra curricular relations... Read review

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Advantages: Is a good base for learning most languages
Disadvantages: is difficult but so what?

...When I tell people that Im doing Latin for A level all i hear is "you're mad!!Its a dead language!!What's the point in doing it??"What's the point in doing latin??Hello, its what most modern languages are based on!!If you do latin it is so much easier to learn other languages, simply because you'll have a better understanding of the language you're learning. It's the foundation of so many languages!!Would you build a building without foundations??It might stand for a while but it'll never be perfect. Its the same with languages...if you know the foundations your understanding of the language is so much better!!!So many people nowadays cant even write decent english, and the problem would be far less if people actually understood the language!How many people do you know who actually know what the genitive is??Luckily in English you can... Read review

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...I graduated from salford University in 1996 after completing a four year course in Modern Languages (French and Spanish). I chose salford University as the course was a very modern course - unlike the tradtional courses of places such as Oxbridge where literature is the main basis of many parts of the course. During my time at Salford, I learned much about translation and interpretation and also spent a year abroad. The first six months I spent in Granada, Spain, as an au pair and then the University found me a job as a secretary in France for my second stint. I would truly recommend Salford if you want to go somewhere with a modern and practical outlook to courses.... Read review

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Advantages: swashbuckling stuff
Disadvantages: language

...This is one of the earliest remaining fragments of the French language and it can be seen in the original at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. It is a truly genial story about a crusade which goes wrong and Charlemagne’s nephew Roland is left behind in a mountain pass to defend the Christians from the Pagans. He dies a martyr and Charlemagne eventually avenges the death of his nephew. This is an epic poem with rousing language and strikingly bold and gruesome depictions of the battle scenes. It is also a story of deception, honour and valliance. It should be read to show where modern epic stories and films come from in their magnitude and boldness.... Read review

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Advantages: widen your knowledge
Disadvantages: never a disadvantage to learning

...Learning a foreign language as an adult, very hard, i think. After being forced to study 3 years of french at school, i can now only tell you that tere is a monkey in a tree or someone is in the garden. Not very good i say.... Now I have moved to finland and am trying despirately to get to grips with finnish, and not doing very well. Learning any foreign language takes time and dedication to practice. The dificulty of a language often depends on your age and also what your native language is. Many languages are related eg, english, german and swedish are all germanic languages and therefore have similarities in grammar and construct. If only i was learning german or swedish, but alas, i am learning finnish, a language which is believed to have been related to hungarian over 1000 years ago but has no modern connections. When i first... Read review

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Advantages: Clear, with advanced features covered
Disadvantages: A little too thick perhaps?

...When learning a new programming language (as all programmers must do to keep up with modern developments), it is vital to have a good book to teach you the basics, and guide you through the more complex aspects of the language. Indeed, it is also important to have a good reference to refer back to later. Core Java is one such book. It comes in 2 volumes, the first covering the basics and the second the more complex aspects. It breaks you in gently, but refrains from taking the approach of other books and loading you down with more theory than you need, and not actually giving you any code to work on until the 215th page. You feel as though you’re actually getting somewhere with Core Java, and this is encouraging. Important new technologies are covered in full, including Swing and XML parsing, and I think this is an important advantage... Read review

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...This course is split into 2 languages. Either German or French with Russian or Italian, both from beginner's or advanced levels. There is no point in me saying how much I enjoy this course as, well I wouldn't be carrying on if the opposite was the case. But nevertheless it is a well structured and taught course. Basically you study both languages for the first year, concentrating on the grammar,etc. You also do units in the culture and politics of each country in different time periods. Then added to this there is the European Studies element, which takes you all the way through the developing Europe from 1850 - present day. This is the part of the course that makes the difference in my opinion. It is nice to have a part of the course that isn't relying on you speaking the language,etc. So anyway the first year is grammar work and you... Read review

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Advantages: good job prospects afterwards
Disadvantages: Bradford is up North (for all you Southerners out there!)

...The Modern Language course at Bradford has the advantage that it prepares you well for the world of work. The emphasis is on translation and interpreting skills and a variety of topics / texts concerning political and economic issues are used. Literature is not obligatory but can be chosen as an option. The number of former-polytechnics-now-universities offering language courses has risen in recent years but it still worth going to one of the more established unis. I am now translating in Austria and have contacts at the university here (translation studies). When you say you were in Bradford, they immediately warm to you. Bradford and Salford (the other uni which offers an almost literature-free curriculum) are well known in translation circles.... Read review

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