Languages

You will find a variety of language courses to suit your needs as an adult language learner.

Level 1 courses

• Beginners Level 1 (NOCN) courses (57.5 hours) are for those who are new learners to the Language in the four main languages of French, German, Spanish and Italian. This is the first year of the NOCN (National Open College Network) Level 1 qualification.
• Beginners - Building Confidence courses allow students to study the language for a further 22 hours to keep up their interest and skills before progressing to a Continuation course the next year. Open to new students with skills at the right level.
• Beginners Continuation Level 1 (NOCN) courses (60 hours) allow students to gain certification in two skills and for those who have already completed the Beginners courses will lead to the full Level 1 NOCN Certificate.

Level 2 courses

• Level 2 (Asset) courses (60 hours) lead to an Asset qualification in two skills. New this year.
• Level 2 Continuation (NOCN) courses (60 hours) allow students to complete the Level 2 NOCN route for the four main languages and leads to the NOCN Certificate.
• Level 2 Conversation courses are a 40 hour non-qualification option for those who already have some knowledge of the language.
• Level 2 Developing Confidence courses (20 hours) are short consolidation courses.

Level 3 courses

• Level 3 Lower/Intermediate/Higher courses are aimed at students who are fairly fluent in the language and wish to maintain and further develop vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar etc.
• Level 3 Lower/Intermediate/Higher Extra are short courses of varied length for all students from our Level 3 courses to continue their studies throughout the summer term. Open to new students with skills at the right level.

Choosing your course

Not sure which course level to choose? Why not try our self-assessment language tests to check your level of French, German, Italian or Spanish.

These tests, and course details are also available in Kent Adult Education Centres.

Shorter courses

Our short courses are designed to offer you a taste of the language before committing to a whole year:

• First steps (20 hours), Try (10 hours) and Have a go (5 hours) are short introductory courses for complete beginners.
• Further Steps courses (20 hours) are a follow-on to the First Steps courses.
• Holiday courses (20 hours) are offered for those who wish to learn the basics of the language before going abroad.
• A Quick Guide to (10 hours) will give you a similar experience to the Language Day but over a longer period and in more depth.
• Language days (5 hours) are a snapshot of the language and the culture where the language is spoken.
• Have fun with courses are designed with families in mind. You will learn/revise together the basics of the language in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
• How to Learn a Foreign Language (5 hours) are one day courses in English which will equip you with the concepts necessary for learning a foreign language.
• There is also a variety of less taught languages offered across the county: Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, Russian, Portuguese, Greek, Arabic, Polish and Turkish.

A choice of other short courses is also offered locally such as Grammar Days/Workshops, Learning Through Songs, Over Lunch, At Work etc.