Ersa Lasku
As the opportunity to study a language at university arose, I had to ask myself how this degree could be used in the future and face any misconceptions I had before starting my language degree.
Why I chose a language degree
Despite the questions I faced, I chose to study Spanish due to my curiosity in languages. I have always enjoyed studying languages, and now I not only get to study Spanish, but also a mixture of humanities subjects that I had always enjoyed, such as, English, media studies and history. With this degree I would like to study law and possibly go into international law with the use of my language studies.
What are some of the main misconceptions language degrees face?
At the start of my first semester studying Spanish at KCL, I confronted misconceptions I had surrounding language degrees and their importance. For example, facing questions surrounding the use of language degrees in the world of work, questions such as ‘Do you want to become a translator?’. Studying languages is often associated with certain careers, like translators or teachers, that often pigeonhole the value of languages as universal skills that can be used in the interconnected world of work.
Questions like ‘What can you do with a language degree?’ do not consider the use of languages as a form of communication, either in the world of work or as a form of understanding culture. An example of this is my study of the Spanish language, where I have learnt about the aspects of Spanish culture through studying about the festivals in Spain. Within my degree, I have also studied the enmeshment of Spanish culture with other Indigenous cultures during Spain’s colonial rule by enforcing their language. In particular, the unclear roots of the word ‘mochila’ (Spanish for bag) whereby both the colonisers and the enslaved used it with different intentions and contexts. By understanding these historical and current aspects of culture, we can contextualise languages and how they have been used by different communities historically and geographically.
Overall, globalisation has made the world interconnected, whereby languages have become more crucial. Misconceptions may hinder interest in language degrees, but their value continues to grow in our interconnected world.
What opportunities are given by universities while studying a language degree?
When I first started in semester 1 at KCL, I was not aware of the opportunities within my language degree. Within my degree, I can take modules outside of my department (Department of Language, Literature and Culture). In semester 2, I am studying a history module on 20th-century history, which has allowed me to broaden my horizons and further my interest in the history of conflict and revolution during this period. This History module has allowed me to understand the difference in assessment and teaching style in comparison to my language course and has contextualised the colonial history that am studying in my language degree. While I chose to study history, many of my friends have chosen other modules, such as other language modules, or modules in different departments.
Language degrees also offer the opportunity for a year abroad. While I have not explored this path yet as I have only just started my degree, by speaking with the older students who are applying or have already undertaken a year abroad, I understand the amazing opportunity this is. Furthering your understanding of the language you have studied for 2 years, the year abroad provides the opportunity for independence, practising and perfecting language skills, and integration into possibly a different culture to your own.
What do you study within a language degree?
Many assume modules in language degrees are solely focused on languages and studied in that language. For me, this misconception was immediately shattered at the start of semester 1.
Firstly, contact hours in Spanish vary depending on Spanish proficiency. For example, as a post-A level student, I have 3 contact hours in Spanish: grammar, texts (the study of Spanish texts and translation), and temas (Spanish discussion on pre-approved/researched topics, e.g. animal treatment and female travellers). However, beginner students would receive more contact hours, where the topics they study are focused more on basics, such as developing speaking abilities and understanding discussions and texts in Spanish.
Secondly, the other modules I study are all in English and are focused on the historical context of the Spanish language or different aspects of Spain’s colonial, political and modern history. For example, within one module, my studies can vary from the colonisation of South America and how Native tribes either adapted or fought against colonial rule, to studying left-wing articles during the Spanish Civil War. These interesting courses allow insight into more than just language, they teach the history and the culture of the language that culture represents, derives from, and how this language was used in the past.
While I started my degree with the typical misconceptions and worries surrounding language degrees, I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year of studying Spanish. I would like to thank ALSA for the opportunity to share my experience of studying a language degree and thank you for reading.
If there are any questions surrounding my degree, don’t hesitate to get in touch through LinkedIn!
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