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)

To be admitted to the course, students must fulfill general entry requirements for higher education at first cycle level, including English 6 or English level 2.

A further requirement is completed courses (optional) from second cycle of at least 15 credits, or the equivalent.

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.

Students who have failed any part of the course are given the possibility of a new test. 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 passed a subtest may not do a new test for a higher grade. Nor do students have the right to withdraw a submitted test and in such a way avoid being graded.

If a student who has failed the same examined component twice, wants to change examiner before the next examination, they should submit a written request to the department responsible for the course. The request shall be granted unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6, Section 22 of Higher Education Ordinance).

If the University of Gothenburg has decided that a student is eligible for special study support, the examiner may, provided it is compatible with the aim of the course and it can be done within the scope of available resources, decide to offer the student an adjusted examination or a different examination format.

If the course has been discontinued or substantially revised, a student should be guaranteed to sit the examination on at least three occasions (including the ordinary examination occasion) during a period of at least one year, but not later than two years after the course was discontinued or revised. As regards internships/placement the same as above applies, with the exception that examination is offered on only one occasion.

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 students are given the opportunity to make a written evaluation of the course. The results of the evaluation are published digitally.

For internships outside Sweden, only the languages that are offered at the Department 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 SPL250 cannot be combined with SPL150, SPL151 or SPL251 within the scope of the same internship.

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