The year abroad
The Year Abroad will probably be one of the most exciting and
challenging experiences you will ever have. You will notice a
dramatic improvement in your spoken language, giving you greater
confidence and more mature insights into the life of your chosen
country. The 'year', incidentally, is an 'academic year' and means
at least eight months spent abroad. For each foreign language in
your degree programme, you will spend some time in a country
where the language is spoken. The period of time can vary from the
whole (academic) year at one extreme, to just 3 or 4 weeks at the
other (see below).
The sections below should answer any general queries you may
have about the Year Abroad at Hull. For specific information
regarding the individual languages (e.g. which universities you can
go to), please use the links on the left hand side.
What will I be doing?
There are three principal options:
- Studying at an exchange partner university.
These are mainly based in Europe, but we also have links with a
University in Mexico. See the information under the individual
languages for more information.
- Working in a school as an English-language
assistant.
The language assistant scheme - organised through the British
Council - has much to recommend it. In addition to gaining valuable
work experience, you will work in a local community and are
paid a regular wage. Click on this
link to find out more.
- Working in industry or commerce.
The department has a small number of such placements to offer,
but you can also arrange your own, with our help.
How much time will I spend where?
Here are the basic ways of dividing the year:
1) Students of one foreign language
spend the year in one country.
2) Those taking two or
three languages must decide between these
options:
a) go to one country for the year and spend
short periods of at least three weeks in the other country or
countries, normally in one or two Summer vacations.
b) divide the year between two countries,
with one semester in each, and, for a third language, spend a
period of at least three weeks in a third country in a Summer
vacation.
How much will it cost me?
If you study at a partner university or universities in Europe,
you will be on an Erasmus programme, supported by the EU. You pay
no fees either to Hull or at your
destination(s), and you will have an Erasmus grant.
Recent changes to the status of assistants and work
placement students now mean that, provided you work for the
required period, you should also be eligible for the same fees
waiver as Erasmus students. Furthermore, it is likely that as an
assistant or work placement student, you will be receiving a
salary.
How will the Department help me prepare for my Year
Abroad?
The Department of Modern Languages and its language sections try
to prepare you for the year abroad in a series of events
throughout the second year of your studies. Early on, the
options for the year are outlined to you. Shortly afterwards,
there will be a meeting for you with year 4 students who have 'been
there, done that'. You can ask them questions, and benefit from
their advice. We also try to invite students from our
exchange partner universities, so that they can tell you
something about the cities they are familiar
with. Furthermore, you can also consult questionnaires from
past year-abroad students giving their advice on specific places
and tips based on experience. You can also find some of their
stories under the individual language pages on this part of the
website.
If you are going to go for the language assistant option, you
will have to complete your application form by the end of November.
If you choose to go and study, you can make your decision
regarding your university destination(s) slightly later, at
the end of Semester 1 or early in Semester 2.
In the second semester, there will be further meetings, giving
you advice on the assessments you have to complete for Hull. You
will also be supplied with a language-specific Year Abroad booklet
and the Year Abroad Assessment Handbook.
Students considering the language assistant route may also wish
to take the year-long module 88053
Introduction to Language Teaching, which will provide you with
lots of useful teaching strategies as well as an opportunity to
practice your teaching skills.
Overall, and as far as we can, we try to ensure you are as well
prepared as it is possible to be for the Year Abroad.
How is the Year Abroad assessed?
The Year Abroad counts for 10% towards your final degree
classification, and is assessed by means of five written
assignments and one oral exam, all in the language(s) you
study.
The five written pieces are to be completed during your Year
Abroad. They will grow in length and sophistication over the year
and will deal with topics related to yourself, your activities in
the foreign country and your observations of life in that country
(or countries). If you study more than one language, the language
in which you write a particular piece will largely depend on where
you are based when that assignment is due.
Alongside each piece in the foreign language, you will also be
asked to keep a reflective portfolio in English. Each written piece
and its accompanying portfolio will constitute a separate 20 credit
Year Abroad module, hence making up 100 of your 120 credits for the
year.
The remaining 20 credits will come from an oral examination that
you will take once you return from your Year Abroad. Those of you
studying more than one language will nominate the language in which
you wish to be examined. The orals will take place at the very
start of your Final Year.
Can I be exempted from the Year Abroad?
Exceptionally, and if justified by personal circumstances, it is
possible to be allowed exemption from the Year Abroad. Each request
for exemption is considered as a special case, at the appropriate
time. We also offer the three-year BA
in Modern Language Studies, a one or two-language programme
without a Year Abroad.