Languages for All courses | January 2022

Ready to register now? Please click here to be taken to the course listings.
If you require further information, including on identifying your level, please continue reading this page. 

The programme offers courses in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish. All courses will be in our Language Development format, and will run from January to March. Step 1 courses will all be delivered online, whilst for Step 2 courses there will be a mix of online and in-person delivery. 

We have increased the number of courses available online this term in response to positive feedback from previous programmes. Many learners have told us that they find online courses to as effective as in-person courses, whilst also offering flexibility and ease of access for those who have other commitments or live outside the local area. 

However, we do of course appreciate that both in-person and online formats have their benefits, and that learners will often have a preference for one or the other. If you see a course which you would have preferred in the alternative format, please let us know by emailing languages.forall@durham.ac.uk as we monitor demand to help with future planning. 

We also have some general information about in-person and online courses, which you may wish to view:

Further information on online courses

Further information on in-person courses

Registering for a course

Please begin by identifying your level  

I am a complete beginner

A Beginners Step 1 course is suitable for those with no prior knowledge of their chosen language. 

I am continuing from a Durham course

Please view our guide to levels to identify the next level in the sequence. 

I am new to Durham courses but not a beginner

After checking our general guide to levels, refine your choice by viewing the summary of course contents available on the right-hand side of this page. You should aim to select a level that follows the one that best describes your current knowledge. Please note that the list of topics and grammar points is subject to minor changes and is only intended to assist you in choosing your level. 

You will find the names of our corresponding courses in both our guide to levels and the summary of course contents.

Additionally, for French, Dutch, German, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish, knowing your level on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) can be helpful. You may find the self evaluation tool from the European Day of Languages useful.

Below A1 (but not a complete beginner): 
Our levels in this range, in ascending order, are Beginners Step 2 and Elementary Steps 1 and 2.

Between A1 and A2: 
Our levels in this range, in ascending order, are Lower Intermediate Steps 1 and 2 and Intermediate Steps 1 and 2.

Between A2 and B1: 
Our levels in this range, in ascending order, are Higher intermediate Steps 1 and 2 and Advanced Steps 1 and 2.

B1 and above: 
Starting at around B1, we offer Higher Advanced 1 Steps 1 and 2 and Higher Advanced 2 Steps 1 and 2 in some languages.

Please see the banner below for registration instructions. 

Additional opportunity | Join existing courses at Step 2

In addition to the new courses listed via the link above, there is also the opportunity to join some of our existing Language Progression courses. These are two term courses which started in October. The second term (begnining in January) equates to a Language Development Step 2 course. The courses listed in the table below have places available. Should you be interested in registering, please contact us at languages.forall@durham.ac.uk. 

Registration for these course can be made up until 11pm of the day before the course start date.