Programme Description

MML is for academically ambitious students who wish to maximise the depth and breadth of their expertise in two language areas, and to develop their research skills beyond UG level.
The first two years are identical to the BA, but are followed by two years of highly specialised study (the equivalent of the final year at BA). These two years include M-level training in research methods and critical concepts. Students complete two M-level dissertations, one in each language. The course duration is four years in total, with an opportunity to spend a min of 8 weeks abroad in each country. MML French and Japanese gives you a comprehensive grounding in French/Japanese language in understanding in literature, culture, history and linguistics.
Throughout your course you will be trained in modern spoken and written French by following a high level core language course. From Year One, you will discover how the language really works by learning about its morphology, syntax, phonology and phonetics. You will thoroughly develop your French language skills by working with a variety of oral and written French texts and engaging in discussions in French (taught by native speakers). Core language courses at all levels of study are complemented by a variety of other French and Francophone-related topic areas, and by a period spent in a French-speaking country, which might be metropolitan France or further afield.
You also take a set of broad-based content courses - they are designed to give you an essential grounding in key areas highlighted above. Some of the content teaching on these courses, in the first and subsequent years, is in English, so that you can focus fully on the new concepts introduced to you and can hone not only your French language skills, but also your expression and accuracy in English.
Students follow a Japanese Studies curriculum and will be studying Japanese throughout the course. The core language teaching enables you to develop various linguistic skills: speaking and writing accurately; understanding and analysing audio, video and written materials; using different registers; speaking to a group with confidence; and translating with appropriate sensitivity.
Applicants should be aware that learning Japanese is very intensive and that a great deal of time is required for this throughout the course (extending through the summer, particularly for beginners). The first few weeks may be particularly intensive for those who have not encountered Japanese script and we strongly advise all applicants to ensure that they have learned at least the hiragana script prior to starting; guidance on materials to help with this can be obtained from language tutors.
Further Information
Detailed information on modules and course structures is available in our course handbooks