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Language Centre

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Doctoral Training Programme

King's Language Centre (LC) at King’s College London is the largest language centre in the UK, teaching 9,000 students a year.  The LC, as part of its collaboration with LAHP, CHASE, and SWW has developed language modules specifically tailored to cater for research students. Courses are designed to meet the needs of students based on their PhD studies, and students are invited to bring in class materials linked to their research or special interests.

The majority of the course will be conducted in the language of study. Our teachers use a communicative approach in class and will address the four communicative skills (speaking, reading, writing and listening). Courses will be delivered online and our virtual classroom will allow for real time online interaction through audio/video, and text chat between teachers and fellow students. Our experienced and qualified native speaker teachers will use group work, online exercises, and will integrate a variety of activities to deliver their classes. 

There are no final examinations but continuous formative assessment and an optional online formative assessment is also available at the end of Term 2.

Doctoral candidates who are part of other DTPs and would like to know more about these courses should contact languagecentrepartners@kcl.ac.uk

2023-24 Open Day

Click here to view our flyer for more info

We are holding our final virtual open day for the upcoming academic year on Thursday 21st September 2023, from 18.00–19.00. The open day will feature a brief presentation, beginners taster classes and, for non-beginners, level assessments. Please register your interest for the event here.

Please scroll down for more information and details of enrolment for 2023-24 (open from 30th June 2023).

For information about other training oportunities at King's, please click here.

Contact Us

020 7848 2890

Course structure

Reading, writing, listening & speaking

Discipline specific vocabulary & academic texts

Improve academic presentation skills

Cultural workshops

Languages available in 2023-24:

Please note that classes are subject to demand and are not all guaranteed to run.

  • Arabic (Beginners, Beginners Plus, Intermediate)
  • French (Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced)
  • German (Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced)
  • Italian (Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced)
  • Japanese (Beginners and Beginners Plus)
  • Latin (Beginners)
  • Mandarin (Beginners and Beginners Plus)
  • Russian (Beginners and Advanced)
  • Spanish (Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced)

2023-24 Registration

Registration to apply for our 2023-24 classes will open on Friday 30th June 2023. You can sign up here (only available from the 30th). Please note that registration will close on Friday 29th September 2023 (at 23:59).  

2023-24 Timetable

You can view all classes on offer for 2023-24 here or by clicking the link below;

Download the timetable

Module descriptions

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User/ Breakthrough) level of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A2 (Basic User/ Waystage) level of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 1 x 4-hour language class per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

This module is equivalent to A2 (Basic User) /B1 (Independent User/ Threshold) level of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User/ Breakthough)/ A2 (Basic User/ Waystage) level of the Common European Framework.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is between A2 (Basic User) and B1 (Independent User/ Threshold) level of the Common European Framework for languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This course is B2+ (Independent User/ Vantage) level of the Common European Framework for languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership. Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 1 x 4-hour language class per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User/ Breakthrough)/ A2 (Basic User/ Waystage) level of the Common European Framework.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is between A2 (Basic User/ Waystage)/ B1 (Independent User/ Threshold) level of the Common European Framework for languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This course is equivalent to B2+ (Independent User/ Vantage) level of the Common European Framework for Languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User/ Breakthrough)/ A2 (Basic User/ Waystage) level of the Common European Framework.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is equivalent to A2 (Basic User/ Waystage)/ B1 (Independent User/ Threshold) level of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This course is equivalent to B2+ (Independent User/ Vantage) level of the Common European Framework for Languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User, Breakthrough) level of the Common European Framework for languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A2 (Basic User/ Waystage) level of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User, Breakthrough) level of the Common European Framework for languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User, Breakthrough) level of the Common European Framework for languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A2 (Basic User/ Waystage) level of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 Basic User/ Breakthrough level of the Common European Framework.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This course is between B1 (Independent User/ Threshold)/ B2 (Independent User/ Vantage) level of the Common European Framework for languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User/ Breakthrough)/ A2 (Basic User/ Waystage) level of the Common European Framework.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is equivalent to A2 (Basic User/ Waystage)/ B1 (Independent User/ Threshold) level of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This course is between B2+ (Independent User/ Vantage) level of the Common European Framework for languages.

 

Course duration and dates

The course has 80 hours total teaching time, 4 hours per week for 20 weeks (Autumn, Spring and Summer term).

Autumn Term Spring Term Summer Term

Start: 16 October 2023

Start: 12 January 2024*

Start: 22 April 2024

End: 8 December 2023

End: 28 March 2024

End: 17 May 2024

*Bank holiday Good Friday in Term 2 means that Friday classes will start and finish a week earlier than the other days.

 

Resources available for you

The Language Resource Centre (LRC) offers free speaking practice for students with a native speaker to improve conversational skills. Our speakers are volunteers and come from the richly diverse King's community.

The LRC also offers a wide variety of resources, workshops and events as well as multilingual learning advisors who are always on hand to help you make the most of the facilities.

Language Resources Centre