Modern Language (JH)

Overview

Why study Modern Languages? 

In-depth study of languages has never been more relevant. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) makes it easier for companies and organisations to establish contact with foreign partners, further advancing globalisation, there is an increased need for high-level multilingual staff who can manage international teams, take legal responsibility for translations, and conduct multicultural negotiations. Ever-advancing AI may replace a basic command of a foreign language, but fluent critical thinkers are, and will remain, in ever higher demand. 

Being bilingual or multilingual in today’s global economy gives you a distinct advantage for career opportunities. Studying two languages at Trinity will enable you to develop your skills to a level where you can communicate confidently and competently on virtually any subject and in every situation. 

Throughout your studies, you will explore the people, cultures and societies of the languages you study. You will also study of the literature, history and politics of the language and gain competencies in understanding and successfully navigating cultural differences.

Do you enjoy…

• Getting to know and understand other places, people and cultures?
• Learning languages to a level where you are competent, confident 
  and fluent?
• Engaging with the cultural, linguistic, social and political diversity 
  in the world and acting as a mediator between cultures?

Modern Languages at Trinity

Trinity’s School of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies is a leading language school in Ireland, and consistently ranked among the top 100 language schools in the world. The languages to choose from are French, German, Irish, Italian, Russian and Spanish. Apart from French and Irish all languages can be studied from both advanced and beginners level.

• You will study up to two modern European Languages. Most are available from beginner to advanced levels. 
• Teaching is through a combination of lectures and small group classes. 
• You will explore and engage with cultural, literary, social and political diversity of Europe and the world. 
• You will have a life-changing opportunity to study abroad.

Modern Languages: The course for you?

Studying two languages at Trinity will enable you to develop your skills to a level where you can communicate confidently and competently on virtually any subject and in every situation. Throughout your studies you will experience an intensive and exciting encounter with the people, cultures and societies of the languages you study. You will gain deeper familiarity through the study of their literature, culture, history and politics, and you will gain competencies in understanding and successfully navigating cultural differences. You will also acquire crucial and highly valuable transferable skills such as thinking analytically and independently.

Modern Language plus another subject: The course for you?

Choosing a modern language plus another subject allows you to combine an interest in languages with an entirely different academic discipline, and will give you intensive exposure to both of your subjects, their methodologies and specificities. You will find that very often the topics as well as the approaches of your two subjects will intersect and complement each other very well. You will be part of an active and progressive global community of international students based on an iconic Dublin city centre campus, but will also have a life-changing opportunity to study abroad.

Pathways

Modern Languages: The pathways available are Major with Minor and Joint Honours.

Modern Language plus another Subject: The pathways available are Single Honours, Major with Minor and Joint Honours.

Graduate skills and career opportunities

Advanced foreign language skills and intercultural communication competencies constitute one of the biggest skills gaps in the Irish labour market and language graduates are very sought after in a wide variety of careers. Tech firms, financial companies and banks, consultancy firms, and others are seeking independent thinking and critical analysis skills, advanced linguistic abilities, intercultural competencies, and advanced research and presentation skills our graduates acquire. 

Our graduates have successful track record securing exciting careers in diverse fields such as fintech, diplomacy and tourism, cultural and creative industries, translation and interpreting, journalism and the media, publishing, marketing and finance, as well as second and third-level teaching or the civil service in Ireland and in the EU. Many go on to take postgraduate courses in areas such as business or law for which a languages degree is an excellent background.

Your degree and what you’ll study

Modern Languages: In each of the languages you have typically at least eight and up to 12 contact hours per week, which roughly divide equally between language learning and studying the culture, literature, history and society of your languages.

Modern Language plus another Subject: In each of your two subjects you will have typically between eight and 12 contact hours per week. In the language part of your programme, this divides equally between language learning and studying the culture, literature, history and society of your language.

In beginners languages the emphasis on language is higher in the first year. From year to year students have an increasing choice in respect of which areas to focus on and specialise in. All students complete a Capstone—an independent research project—in their final year.

Study abroad

A year or a semester studying abroad is one of the highlights of a student’s Trinity experience, and immersing oneself in the language and culture is one of the most valuable ways of achieving fluency and of gaining deeper intercultural understanding.

Modern Languages: 

Single Honours students spend an exciting third year of study abroad (compulsory, expect for those studying Irish), while Joint Honours students can choose to spend a year or a semester in their third year in one of our partner universities. For students combining the study of two modern languages we endeavour to facilitate a semester abroad in either one or both countries of language you study. At a minimum, you will be required to spend two months in each of the countries the language of which you are studying.

Modern Language plus another Subject:

Single Honours students spend an exciting third year of study abroad (compulsory, expect for those studying Irish), while Joint Honours students can choose to spend a year or a semester in their third year in one of our partner universities. At a minimum, you will be required to spend two months in each of the countries the language of which you are studying.

We have exchange agreements with Universities from Paris and Bordeaux to Vienna and Seville, from Florence and Milan to Hamburg and Tallinn. For more information on study abroad destinations and requirements visit: www.tcd.ie/global/mobility