Education and Language Studies

Rundblick: Beginners’ German [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]

(Introductory, 5 hrs)

This introductory unit will help you to learn the basics of the German language by taking a journey through German-speaking countries. You will read and hear about a range of places and people, and be given the opportunity to develop language skills which will help you to cope in a range of situations.

Beginners’ Chinese: Introducing yourself

(Introductory, 6 hrs)

This unit is a language unit that concentrates on Mandarin Chinese as a tool for communication, but also provides some insights into Chinese society and culture. It contains a brief introduction to the Chinese language, its scripts and sounds, and how words are formed. The language activities and audio extracts presented here are designed to give you a taste of Mandarin Chinese language.

French: Le quatorze juillet

(Introductory, 10 hrs)

This unit concentrates on French as a tool for communication, but it also provides some insights into French society and culture through authentic printed, audio and video materials. It will be of interest to all those who want to improve their language skills in order to communicate more easily and effectively in French.

Gaelic in modern Scotland

(Introductory, 15 hrs)

This unit – available in both Gaelic and English – has been designed to provide a resource for people with a personal or professional interest in increasing their knowledge and understanding of the development and impact of Scottish Gaelic and its culture. It aims to surprise and challenge where necessary; to provide links and ideas for further research; and, for some, to kick-start a journey into learning a language which is integral to Scotland’s national identity.