Centre for Foreign Language Study

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Centre for Foreign Language Study

The Centre for Foreign Language Study offers courses to anyone on their language journey

16/04/2026

Registration for our spring Languages for All programme is well underway, but there is still time to book a place.

We have courses available in Arabic, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish. In most languages a range of levels is available and we have in-person and online options.

All courses are 9 weeks long and start week commencing 27 April.

For further details, please see www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/foreign-language-study/language-courses-for-students-staff-and-members-of-the-public/

20/03/2026

Happy International Day of the Francophonie! Today, we celebrate the richness of the French language and the diversity of Francophone cultures around the world!

Did you know?

💬 French is spoken by over 300 million people across 5 continents.

🌍 It is an official language in 29 countries and many international organisations including the UN, EU, and the International Olympic Committee.

✒️ French has significantly contributed to the English language, with estimates suggesting that up to 30% of English vocabulary is of French origin. Around 10,000 French words have been adopted into English, from “rendezvous” to “cul-de-sac.”

👨‍🎓It’s the second most studied foreign language in the world.

On this International Day of La Francophonie, let’s honour a language that connects people through culture, history, and creativity.

To find out about opportunities to study French with us, please see www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/foreign-language-study/languages-offered/french-language-course/

26/02/2026

To celebrate Chinese New Year, we have been learning and practising Chinese greetings for this festival time: “春节快乐（新年快乐），万事如意”, which means “Happy Spring Festival (Happy New Year) and may everything go as you wish.”
We have also been enjoying Chinese calligraphy, writing the character “福”, which means happiness and good fortune. We even tried creating some New Year couplets!
Wishing you all a Happy Year of the Horse — 马年大吉！

19/02/2026

Join the celebrations this Saturday 21 February as Durham welcomes the Year of the Horse at various locations across the city.

As part of the packed schedule of events and activities, our students will be hosting drop-in language and calligraphy taster sessions at Clayport between 10:30am -3:30pm. Come along and immerse yourself in Chinese language, traditions and culture.

To find out more about everything taking place on the day, please see www.thisisdurham.com/chinese

We hope to see you there!

16/02/2026

Happy Chinese New Year! 🎉🇨🇳🐴

Today marks Chinese New Year’s Eve according to the Chinese lunisolar calendar, the most significant traditional festival in China and several Southeast Asian countries. The celebrations begin today and continue until January 15 (Chinese lunisolar calendar).

This year is the Year of the Horse. We wish everyone 马到成功 (mǎ dào chéng gōng) — literally, “success upon the horse’s arrival,” meaning may you achieve immediate success in all your endeavors!

05/02/2026

Take a look at the fantastic activities which took place during our Chinese Corner event in November. Our talented students treated us to performances of Chinese opera and the traditional Chinese instrument, the guzheng. We also enjoyed hearing about what it’s like to spend a year abroad in China.🇨🇳
Chinese Corner is a regular event, with the next session taking place on 25th February. Full details will be shared closer to the time. 🎉

03/02/2026

Exciting Opportunity! - A short-term visit to Wuhan University China for 2-3 weeks! Wednesday 4th February 2–4pm ER147:
A group of students and a teacher from Wuhan University are currently visiting the School. As part of this exchange, Wuhan University is offering our students the opportunity to take part in this short term exchange visit! Accommodation, meals and organised activities will all be covered, with the exception of return airfare.
If you’re interested in learning more about this opportunity, please do join our session on Wednesday 4th February 2–4pm in ER147, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about Wuhan University and discuss the arrangements with staff from Wuhan University.

29/01/2026

Come and join us for an evening of Japanese culture and fun on Wednesday 18th February!
Sign up is required - please sign up with the QR code provided in the poster!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Durham Modern Languages and Cultures

23/01/2026

Did you know that Durham University (in partnership with Newcastle University) is a certified test centre for the Goethe exams?

The exams are offered for the levels A1-C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The Goethe Institute certificates are widely accepted and respected as proof of language proficiency.

The exams are open to everyone, and candidates do not need to have studied a course or be a registered university student.

The next exams will take place on the 4th and 5th June 2026.

Wish to find out more? Why not join our online information session?
📅 Date: Monday 26th January 2026
⏰ Time: 03:00 PM (GMT)

🔍 What to Expect:
- Structure and Format
- Exam Fees
- Preparation Tips

🧑‍💼 Contact Person: Laura Lewis, German Language Coordinator.
📧 Please register with Laura to receive a Zoom link: [email protected]. If you cannot attend the session but would still like to register for the exam or have any questions, please also contact Laura.

21/01/2026

This week 19th – 24th January 2026 is our Week! As part of the campaign in the UK, we at Durham sent a “Wie geht’s?” out into the world by inviting students to write short poems or texts answering the question in German. Along with the text, you can include an original image that reflects your current mood and matches your poem or text. Please share them by 24 January via this Padlet.

Address

Elvet Riverside, New Elvet
Durham
DH13JT

Website

http://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/centres/foreign-language-study

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