Frequently Asked Questions

Which languages can I do?

Any of the languages offered in the Department of Language Studies, School of Humanities: French, Italian, Modern Greek or Spanish. Indonesian is offered by the Flinders Asia Centre. Advanced-level (i.e. post-Year 12) German, beginners or advanced-level Chinese and Japanese are offered on Flinders campus by Adelaide University staff.

Where can I study Languages?

All languages mentioned above are offered at the Flinders campus. In addition, Italian, Modern Greek, Spanish and Indonesian are also offered on the Adelaide University campus, North Terrace, taught by Flinders staff. Moreover, Flinders staff teaches Spanish and Modern Greek at the University of South Australia.

Are there any prerequisites?

The beginners (first year, first semester) languages topics have no prerequisites. The prerequisite for post-Matriculation streams is Year-12 (or equivalent) in the language. There are prerequisites for topics in the major sequence, but there are no prerequisites for upper level electives (cognates).

At which level should I begin?

All first year students in each language have to enrol in a first year topic, unless they enter through the Advanced Placement Scheme. Within each language topic, students are separated into a beginners or a post-Year 12 stream depending on their high school studies in the particular language.

The Advanced Placement Scheme (APS) is available to students enrolled in an undergraduate degree at Flinders University. Students who have obtained a TER adjusted score of 19 or 20 out of 20 in any of French, Italian, Modern Greek or Spanish may apply to enter directly at the second-year level, provided that they have the necessary documentation. To be eligible to receive the 9 units of credit for the first year of their chosen language, APS students must successfully complete a major (the full second and third years) in the language or in a Diploma in Language, after which time the 9 units will be accredited to their results on their university transcript.

Up to what level can I study languages?

In the Department of Language Studies you can study each language to the PhD level. You can take any of the languages offered as a major (a 3-year major sequence), or as a minor (a 2-year major sequence) or as an elective (one semester or one year) depending on the requirements of your chosen degree.

How many hours do I need to attend per week?

There are 4-5 contact hours per week for all major sequence topics in all languages, which include one hour for instruction in the computer laboratory. For electives that are not topics in the major language sequence there are normally 2 contact hours per week.