Language in Practice

The course is offered as a freestanding course.

The course can be part of the following programmes: 1) Master's Programme in Language and Intercultural Communication (H2SIK)

For admission to the course, a Bachelor’s degree of 180 higher education credits is required, including an independent project of 15 credits at an advanced level, with a major in English, German, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Slavic Languages, Japanese, Chinese, Latin, Ancient Greek, or African Languages or equivalent thereof. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6 or English level 2 from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test.

At the beginning of the course, the student needs to have a placement and an approved placement agreement that meets the intended learning outcomes of the course. The student herself/himself is responsible for finding a placement.

The course normally contains practical training at a workplace where the student carries out a well-defined and concrete assignment linked to language. The aim of the placement is to give the student the opportunity to use his/her knowledge of and about language and culture in a work situation, as well as to identify possible future career paths in Sweden or abroad. The student herself/himself is responsible for finding an appropriate placement, which may be, for example, a translation agency, embassy, tourist agency, cultural institution, international company, government or municipal agency, etc. It is important that the work tasks are relevant with regard to the application of knowledge of and about language.

The course is divided into two modules:

Sub-courses

1. Seminars and written asssignments (Seminarier och skriftliga inlämningsuppgifter), 3 credits
The module consists of an introductory seminar, discussions on the University of Gothenburg virtual learning platform and written assignments the aim of which is for the students to reflect continuously during the placement period on the transition from studies to working life. The final practical placement report is ventilated at an assessing seminar on campus.

2. Internship (Arbetspraktik), 12 credits
The internship is carried out at one and the same workplace. After a completed placement, a placement certificate is submitted. The practical placement should correspond to at least eight weeks of full-time work.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding
• critically reflect on the internship experience in relation to language courses done previously;
• test and review the relevance of linguistic and intercultural skills in working life;

Competence and skills
• demonstrate the ability to independently carry out a well-defined and concrete assignment at a workplace;
• critically and systematically integrate language knowledge and skills with a specific vocational branch;
• analyse and problematise the place and role of language in working life;
• discuss the general demands of working life;
• independently compile, present and review as well as critically discuss his/her own and other students' written reports;
• in dialogue with different groups describe and discuss information, problems and solutions related to the internship;

Judgement and approach
• critically and analytically discuss the importance of linguistic and intercultural skills in professional activities;
• independently identify and formulate possible future career paths and need for further training.

Seminars and discussion fora.

Language of instruction: English

The course is assessed on the basis of a structured portfolio containing, among other things, documentation from the workplace and a final practical internship report where the student describes and analyses his/her internship based on the course literature and in relation to the learning objectives. A compulsory examination seminar on campus is also included in the examination. At the seminar, the student should critically review and lead a conversation in seminar form about another placement report.

A student who has failed a course item is eligible for a retake exam/assignment. In connection with written assignments, supplementary assignments may be offered in order for the student to achieve a Pass grade. Such a supplementary assignment should be done within the stipulated time (normally five working days after the result has been posted). Otherwise a Fail grade will be reported.

A student who has completed an exam/assignment with a passing grade is not eligible for a retake for the purpose of receiving a higher grade. Nor may a student withdraw a test/assignment once it has been submitted for the purpose of avoiding receiving a grade for the work.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). To obtain the grade of Pass with distinction on the whole course, the grade of Pass with distinction is required on module 1.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

For internships outside Sweden, only the languages that are offered at the Departement of Languages and Literatures apply.

If the placement does not fulfil the internship agreement, the student has the right to a change of placement. The student himself/herself is then responsible to find a new placement.

Any costs in connection with placement and/or a stay abroad is paid by the student.

The course SPL251 cannot be combined with the courses SPL150 or SPL151 within the scope of the same internship.

Equality aspects should be taken in consideration in content, literature, teaching and evaluation.