Teaching and assessment

Our approach

Our teaching approach combines the progressive acquisition of all communicative skills (speaking, listening, writing, reading, and mediation/translation) in a collaborative and student-centred setting. We put great emphasis on helping you become independent and confident users of your chosen language(s).

Your learning

For most of our language courses, teaching is delivered through a two-hour seminar, in groups of no more than 23 students, and a one hour tutorial, in smaller groups of 10 to 15 students. Courses at Beginner level may include more contact hours, while specialised courses such as British Sign Language may have fewer contact hours.

The classroom language is predominantly the target language, even more so at higher levels of competence. Classroom activities are designed to give you ample opportunities to speak in the target language.

Regular attendance in class and your participation in these activities will be key to your success. Successful language learning relies heavily on consistent engagement every week with the learning materials to keep on track.  You will of course be able to book an appointment with your tutor during their office hours to go through any query you may have.

In addition to the language contact hours, you will be given homework every week, either as a follow-up on the previous session or in preparation for the next lesson. Details of the homework will be given in class and will also be available on the module's Blackboard site, along with additional resources.  As a guide, modules worth 20 credits represent 200 hours of learning, and therefore a minimum of four to five weekly hours of independent study over the semester in addition to time spent in the classroom.

Formal assessment, whether a source of stress or a motivation, is key to measuring one's achievements and receiving feedback to progress further. Please ensure that you understand whether it is optional or mandatory for you depending on the scheme under which you take your MLTC course. You will also regularly receive informal feedback, whether individual or collective, through weekly in-class and homework tasks.

Assessment

How do I find out how my module is assessed?

Assessment varies from module to module, but typically includes spoken and written elements. Assessment details can be found on your course Blackboard page.

Your enrolment option will determine which assessment components you need to take:

• Credited students (counts towards your degree) – All assessment components are mandatory.
• Not-for-credit Fee Waiver students and DDP students – Some assessment components are mandatory, typically a speaking exam and a piece of coursework.
• Not-for-credit self-funded students – Assessment is not mandatory.

Please note that you can still take all assessment components even if they are not mandatory for you. If you are not taking the course for credit, you will be asked to confirm your intentions in terms of optional assessment components.

Enrolment and fee options

What are the validation options for not-for-credit students?

The completion of an MLTC course can be validated in different ways depending on your enrolment type and how much you achieve. 

Scheme	Available to	Attendance (70% minimum)	Coursework	Oral assignment / exam	Written exam
Languages for All fee-waiver (Continuation criteria) (PDF, 400KB)	Eligible non-credited UGs	Yes	Yes	Yes	No  / optional
MLTC Confirmation of Completion	All learners	Yes	No / optional	Yes	Yes
MLTC Confirmation of Attendance	All learners	Yes	No / optional	No  / optional	No  / optional

Please note that students who have been granted fee waivers under the Languages for All programme of the Doctoral Development Programme must meet the above requirements in order to remain eligible for future fee waivers.

Where can I find more information on assessment?

Current students will find up to date information for the School of Languages, Arts and Societies on the school’s student handbook (Student hub access required). This includes key information such as University policies and guidance, marking criteria, penalties for late submission and extenuating circumstances.

Additional resources

All MLTC courses have their own dedicated virtual learning environment (Blackboard) on which you will find a wealth of online resources to catch up with a missed class, to consolidate a lesson, or for independent learning. This may include

• course material (assessment information and a week-by-week schedule)
• grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation exercises
• films with subtitles
• skill-specific learning guides
• useful websites or phone apps, etc.

In addition, you may need to purchase textbooks as listed in individual module descriptions:

• Set textbooks: You will need to have your own copy and bring it to class. If you are taking the course for credits, as part of the Doctoral Development Programme, or as part of the Languages for All fee-waiver scheme, these set textbooks will be provided by the MLTC and you do not need to purchase them.
• Recommended textbooks: Your course tutor will advise you as to the usefulness of purchasing these, but these are usually available in the University library.

You are also welcome to join one of the language-specific student societies: Le Cercle Français, Deutscher Verein, La Sociedad Hispánica, The Italian Society.

When enrolling as a member of the public, you are issued with a University of Sheffield student card giving you access to all of the above facilities and many more: Libraries, Student Union clubs and activities, student support and discounts.

IT skills

You will need to be competent in basic IT skills in order to join an MLTC course. Developing your IT skills is part of the transferable skills you will learn while studying a language with the MLTC.

Written coursework will be submitted online. You may also be asked to learn how to record audio or video documents for assessment purposes and will receive guidance and training on how to do this.

Educational needs

If you have an impairment or condition that can make it difficult for you to undertake study-related tasks like sitting exams, reading, planning and writing assignments, attending classes and taking notes in them or delivering presentations, then you are likely to be eligible for disability support.

The University's Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS) can put a specifically tailored learning support plan in place for you. The pages on how to set up support for current students and for prospective students explain how you can get in touch to discuss what support would work for you.