Induction Information
October 2015
Contents
Welcome to the School of Modern Languages and Cultures ........................................ 3
IMPORTANT ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ......................................................... 4
Procedures for enrolment ......................................................................................... 4
Staff ............................................................................................................................ 4
Communication.......................................................................................................... 5
HOW THINGS WORK IN WEEKS 1 AND 2 ................................................................... 6
The First Week ........................................................................................................... 6
Weeks 1 and 2 checklist of key documents and requirements ................................. 8
Online Module registration (EMR) and choice of Method of Assessment ................ 8
Study and library skills sessions ................................................................................. 7
Undergraduate skills programme .............................................................................. 8
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS IN FRENCH ................................................................... 9
Language Classes ....................................................................................................... 9
Diagnostic test (French) ............................................................................................. 9
Oral classes ................................................................................................................ 8
Computer–assisted learning ...................................................................................... 9
French culture modules ........................................................................................... 10
FRENCH SOCIETY.......................................................................................................... 11
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS IN GERMAN ............................................................... 12
Language classes ...................................................................................................... 12
Diagnostic test ......................................................................................................... 12
German Cultural modules ........................................................................................ 13
GERMAN SOCIETY ........................................................................................................ 14
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS IN ITALIAN ................................................................. 15
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS IN HISPANIC STUDIES ................................................ 16
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS OF THE BA MODERN LANGUAGES ............................ 17
2
Welcome to the School of Modern Languages and Cultures
Dear Warwick student of languages,
Welcome to the start of an exciting academic year. For those of you who are new to
Warwick, the busy first few weeks will naturally be both exciting and bewildering. This
induction booklet is intended to help you find your way in those first few of weeks of term.
You should use it alongside the other materials in your welcome packs and the material on
our web pages.
In weeks 1 and 2 you will find yourself attending a number of introductory sessions that will
enable you to meet all the staff that will play a part in your studies here. You will also have a
diagnostic language test in your major language(s), intended to help you and us find out
where you are at this early stage in the year.
By the middle of week 1 you will be beginning to attend regular classes, too. Your language
modules are core modules, but you’ll find that you have a choice about the other modules
you can study this year (choice will vary according to your degree course). We actively
encourage you to try out different modules in weeks 1 and 2, but ask that you come to a firm
decision about your chosen non-language module by the end of week 2, and inform the
school language office about your choice.
We hope you settle in quickly and enjoy every aspect of your new surroundings; but if
anything feels overwhelming, do not hesitate to ask for information and guidance in the
language office and from your personal tutor. You’ll have the opportunity to get to know
staff and some current students at our School welcome social event, which we hope very
much you’ll attend.
2015-16 will be a very special year for Warwick as it continues to celebrate its 50 year
anniversary, and we hope that it will also be one of real achievement and excitement for
you.
I wish you a great start to the term!
Seán Hand
Head of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures
3
IMPORTANT ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Procedures for enrolment
All the information you require is set out on the university’s dedicated web page here:
Welcome to Warwick
Staff
You can find contact details for all our staff members here:
Academic and teaching staff: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/modernlanguages/people/academic/
Administrative and Technical Support Staff and School Management Group:
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/modernlanguages/people/
Members of academic staff that you may particularly need to consult in your first few weeks are listed
here
French
German
Italian
Hispanic Studies
BA ML and BA ML
with Linguistics
Evan Stewart
Senior tutor
(pastoral issues)
Sam Haigh
Christine Achinger
Joanne Lee
Leticia
VillamedianaGonzález
Head of Section
Pierre-Philippe
Fraiture
Mary Cosgrove
Jenny Burns
Kirsty Hooper
Evan Stewart
Director of
Undergraduate
Studies
Cathy Hampton
Birgit Röder
Fabio Camilletti
Clemencia RodasPerez
Evan Stewart
Cathy Hampton
Grit Brendecke
Eliana Maestri
Clemencia RodasPerez
n/a
(academic
questions)
Year 1 language
co-ordinator
Susan Beardmore
The secretarial team is located in H0.57; their names are:
Sylvia Howell
Marion Imber
Catherine Johnstone
Elaine Robinson
Harpal Singh
4
Communication
The School office is on the ground floor of the Humanities Building. Just outside it you will find a series
of first-year noticeboards. Take time to find those that are relevant for you, and get in the habit of
checking them on a regular basis.
Email
You must use your Warwick email address for all purposes while you are at Warwick rather than a
private email address. Members of staff will only use your official Warwick email address when
contacting you. The University’s email system is web-based which means you can access your emails
from anywhere in the world so there’s no need for you to use any other. To access your mail remotely
go to: https://mywebmail.warwick.ac.uk and log on using your username and password. If you do not
check your messages regularly you may miss out on important information.
Contacting members of staff
All members of staff post ‘office hours’ (or ‘consultation hours’), when they will be available without
appointment for consultation by students. You will find these adjacent to staff office doors and on
their personal web pages (accessible via http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/modernlanguages/
people/academic/).
Outside of these hours, it may not be possible to contact members of staff immediately, since they
are involved not only in teaching but also in research and administrative activities. If you cannot reach
someone you want to speak to, you can send an email about whatever it is that you want to discuss,
including to arrange an appointment for a face-to-face meeting.
It is important to inform the office of your term-time address and telephone number. Remember to
keep us up-to-date with any changes of address or telephone number via student records which you
can access through start.warwick.
Data Protection Act 1998
The School complies with the Data Protection Act 1998. Personal data held in the Department is required to be "adequate, relevant and not excessive to the purpose for which it is processed".
5
HOW THINGS WORK IN WEEKS 1 and 2
The First Week
Your course packs will set out in detail all of the different events and meetings you will need to
attend in week 1. Here is a general outline of what to expect:

Introductory talks (a general school-wide talk and talks from individual departments and
sections). If you are doing a joint degree with a department outside of the School of Modern
Languages and Cultures, make sure that you note the times for the induction sessions in
these departments

Meetings with your personal tutor

A School of Modern Languages welcome drinks reception

A study skills / library induction talk

A tour of the Transnational Resources Centre

Diagnostic language tests

Lectures and seminars beginning (with the chance to try out non-language modules)
Weeks 1 and 2 checklist of key documents and requirements

Complete your University Registration

Complete your IT Services registration (for e.mail account and access to University network)

Register with disability services if needed (you can also talk to your personal tutor or senior
tutor about this)

Ensure that your personal details are correct on Start.Warwick.

Check/Compile your timetable (blank timetables are available in your packs)

Meet your personal tutor

Attend diagnostic language tests as appropriate

Complete your Option form (available in your course pack) and return to the SMLC office
(END OF WEEK 2 at the latest)
6
Online Module registration (EMR) and choice of Method of Assessment
All students are required to register their modules and assessment methods via the University’s
Evision Module Registration System.
This can be accessed from your start.warwick page (https://start.warwick.ac.uk/) and the
University’s central Academic Office will send you instructions on how to register your modules at
the start of term.
Please ensure that you have completed and submitted your final choices of module and assessment
by the deadline of 23rd October 2015 when the system will close.
Failure to register your modules and assessment may lead to you being excluded from an
examination or assessment. The University may also apply a fine of £10 if you fail to register by the
deadline.
Study and library skills sessions
The first Study Skills sessions will take place on Tuesday 6th October 9-10, Friday 9th October 9-10
and Tuesday 13th October 9-10.
In the first session, Kate Williams and Richard Perkins, the subject librarians, will introduce you to
what's on offer in the library, giving you a sense of how the space is laid out and also introducing
you to search and research tools that will be indispensable to you in your university career.
Term 1 Week 1
Tuesday 910
Arts Centre
Cinema
Understanding academic information
Understand different source types and know how/
when to use them
Recognise the difference between scholarly and non
-scholarly sources of information
Term 1 week 2
Friday 9-10
Arts Centre
Cinema
Understanding academic information (as above)
Tuesday 910
H0.52
Understanding academic information (as above)
In subsequent weeks over the course of the year, you will be required to attend skills sessions that will
support your study of non-language modules, including the production of coursework for those
modules.
Please see the dates on the following page and ensure they are on your timetable:
7
Study Skills Sessions 2015—2016
Term 1 week 3
H0.52
Critical reading, thinking and writing
Term 1 week 4
online
Online lecture on successful academic writing for
undergraduates
Term 1 week 5
online
Online lecture on decoding assignments (1 hour).
H0.52
Referencing workshop
online
Online lecture on referencing (1 hour)
online
Online lecture on revising and editing your work
(1 hour)
online
Online lecture on engaging critically with sources
(1 hour)
Term 1 week 8
Tuesday 9-10
Tuesday 9-10
Term 2 Week 7
Tuesday 9-10
H0.52
Referencing and plagiarism workshop (follow-up)
Term 3 (Weeks
2 & 3)
Wednesday 1-2
H0.51
Essay-writing in exams
Undergraduate skills programme
The University also offers assistance with study skills building (everything from online tutorials to
individual face-to-face essay surgeries to group workshops). Please see here below for more details:
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/skills/usp/
8
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS IN FRENCH
Language Classes
You will have 4 language classes per week:

Oral class (begins week 2; oral groups arranged in week 1)

Writing French (Essay) class (begins week 2; groups set out in your course pack)

Grammar and translation lecture (begins week 2; Friday 11am in H0.51)

Grammar and translation class (begins week 3; groups set out in your course pack)
If you have a timetable clash that means you will need to change your language group, please see
Sylvia Howell or Marion Imber in the Language School office.
Diagnostic test (French)
This test lasts an hour and will be taken on a computer under examination conditions. The questions will
be short (multiple-choice, gap filling and so forth). The test does not count in any way towards your endof-year mark. We use it simply to learn something of your strengths and weaknesses at the beginning of
the academic year. Your grammar tutor will receive your results in the first few weeks of term, and these
will then be passed on to you.
The test will take place in rooms R041 and R039. These rooms are next to the Library café and are
accessed from the outside using a university card.
The test takes place at the following times:
Thursday 8th October
2.15 pm– 3.30 pm: all students following these degree courses: French Studies, English and French,
French and History, French and Italian, French and German, Hispanic Studies and French, French
with Film, French with Theatre Studies, French with German, French with Italian, French with
Portuguese, French with Russian, French with Japanese, History of Art and French
3.45 am – 5.00 pm: all students following these degree courses: Politics, International Studies and
French, German with French, BAML students (except those who have expressed a preference for
the Defining France module - you should attend the earlier slot in order to then attend the
Defining France lecture at 4.00 pm)
You are asked to arrive 10 minutes before the start of your allotted session.
To help you prepare become familiar with the computer package, there is a short mock test for you to try
on your own machines. You can find the link to the test at the bottom of this webpage: Diagnostic test
timetable
Following the grammar test, throughout the year you will undertake a series of grammar exercises on this
platform, linked with the grammar lecture programme.
Oral classes
You will sign up for your oral class on Friday 9th October 11-12 in H0.51.
Please bring a copy of your timetable.
Computer–assisted learning
In Week 2 you are required to attend a training session that will take you through the e-learning
opportunities available to you through the French web pages (see details on the next page).
9
Computer Assisted Learning Induction times:
Language groups A – C
Wednesday 14th Oct, 2 - 3pm in R0.39
Language groups D - F
Friday 16th Oct: 2 - 3 pm in R0.41
Language groups G - I
Friday 16th October: 3 – 4 pm in R0.41
What happens if you really can't make your session?
If you are unable to attend at your allotted session time, please email: c.m.hampton@warwick.ac.uk to
arrange a slot in another session. It is important that you attend the session given to you wherever
possible in order to ensure that in any given session students have access to a computer.
French culture modules
The choices available to you in the non-language side of your degree will depend on your degree
course.
Degree structures can be found here: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/modernlanguages/
applying/undergraduate/courseoutlines
Please note the following important dates in week 1:

FR113 Modern and Contemporary France (convenor: David Lees):
First lecture = Wednesday 7th October, 11am – 12pm, SO.18

FR120 Defining France (convenor: Cathy Hampton)
First lecture = Thursday 8th October, 4 – 5pm, SO.10

FR118 Strategies for Reading French Texts (convenor: Cathy Hampton)
First lecture = Friday 9th October, 1 – 2 pm, SO.21

FR119 French Society and Business (convenor: Béatrice Julé-Keogan):
(available to French Studies and French with… students only)
First lecture = Wednesday 7th October, 9 – 10 am, H0.03 and then 12-1 pm in H4.43

LN101: Languages and Cultures Beyond Boundaries (convenor: Susannah Wilson)
First lecture = Friday 9th October 12-1, H0.58.
(available to BA Modern Languages students only)
Please take a look at the web pages for these modules before you attend the first lecture and read
through the information associated with it. We won’t expect you to purchase texts before you have
chosen your module(s) but you will get much more out of the lecture if you have a sense of what is being covered.
10
FRENCH SOCIETY
Hi, we’re FrenchSoc and we’re really excited for you guys to get involved with all of the amazing
events we have planned for this year!
To give you a taste of the wide range of socials we have on offer: we hold a fabulous annual trip
to Paris, as well as hosting many themed bar crawls, brunches and film nights throughout the
year. If there’s an excuse to dress up we will find it and put our own French spin on it!
In addition to filling up your social diaries, we can provide you with useful academic support as
we work closely with the French department here at Warwick. Please do feel free to approach
us with any questions you may have: whether it’s about a specific module or just university life
in general, we’d be more than happy to answer!
Your Exec for 2015-16
President
Vice President
Secretary
Social Secretary and
Sponsorship Co-ordinator
Film Club Co-ordinator
Treasurer
Kat Oliver
Charlotte Daniels
Ismay Bartholomew
Maddy Goldrick; Annabel Green
Manon Phelps
Roshan Chopra
As well as our website, www.frenchsoc.co.uk, you can find the Warwick French Society page on
Facebook and on Twitter (@WarwickFrenchS).
We can’t wait to welcome you all!
11
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS IN GERMAN
Language classes
(Module Leaders: Grit Brendecke/Susan Beardmore)
Diagnostic test
11am Library 1 Wednesday 7 October
You will be allocated grammar and translation language classes on the basis of the Year 1 Diagnostic
tests, so it is vital you attend.
Following the Diagnostic Test, Translation and Grammar groups will be published in Tabula by 3pm on
Thursday.
Tabula is the University system for managing attendance, timetables and class allocations. You can reach
it via Start.Warwick or at https://tabula.warwick.ac.uk/. You will find details of your personal tutor and
after week 1 see all your classes and a timetable.
In the First year you will have three weekly classes in German language which all start in Week 2.
Translation class: allocated on the basis of the Diagnostic test and take place on Tuesday mornings.
Grammar class: allocated on the basis of the Diagnostic test and take place on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
Conversation and Comprehension class: You need to attend one class a week. There are a number of
classes available and you are asked to sign up for a Group on the Notice boards outside H2.02 (groups are
strictly capped at 8 students so if you can only do a particular time, you should sign up early). Dr Helmut
Schmitz (H2.10) and Frau Grit Brendecke (H2.11) will be available on Thursday and Friday to sort out any
timetabling clashes.
Once you have been allocated a Translation and Grammar class (see above), on Thursday of week 1 you
need sign up for a Conversation class and GE108 and/or GE109 seminar group.
You should also use other on-line study material available such as the Hammer Grammar exercises
linked from the GE101 module webpage.
Regular homework in German language will be required from you by all tutors.
In the Spring Term you will work in pairs or groups on a German language Project under the supervision
of your Conversation and Comprehension class tutor; this will contribute to your end-of-year mark in
spoken German. You are encouraged to make use of all available resources, and you may seek advice
from native speakers (but you should expect to be penalised if you present material that you obtained
from others as your own work. If in doubt consult your tutor).
Particular importance is attached to language work, and failure in the end-of-year examination can have
potentially serious consequences.
The department will issue on-line self-study exercises in German grammar. You will do a mid-term
Grammar test in week 7 of the Spring Term, which is intended as a formative benchmark assessment to
help you progress in your accurate use of Grammar.
You should consult the GE101 Modern German Language I webpages for further details of your
language work and assessment.
12
German Cultural modules
Tutorials, Seminars, Lectures
Lectures will begin on Wednesday in Week 1; tutorials and seminars start in week 2.
You will have to sign up for seminar groups for GE108 and/or GE109 on Thursday of Week 1 once you
have been put in language groups. If you need to move groups due to clashes talk to Helmut Schmitz
h.schmitz@warwick.ac.uk (H2.10) or Grit Brendecke g.a.brendecke@warwick.ac.uk (H2.11).
GE108 Writers, Media and Society in Contemporary Germany Module leader: Dr Helmut Schmitz
Lectures/workshops
Tutorial
Occasional Screenings
Wednesday 10.00 - 12.00
Library 1
Mondays and Tuesday: Once a week (consult the notice
board)
Offices
Wednesdays (as advised) 14.00 - 16.00
S0.20
GE109 Aspects of German Culture in the Age of Enlightenment Module Leader: Birgit Röder
Lecture
S0.09
Friday 10.00 - 11.00
Autumn and Spring Terms and Summer Term Weeks 1 - 4
Tutorial
Social
Studies
Once a week (starting week 2)

Lectures are closely related to seminar and tutorial work, and provide an introduction to the
subject matter of the module. Regular attendance provides a clear outline of the field of study,
which your seminar work and further reading will complement. You will find details of lecture times
for the specific modules in this booklet. During the year module tutors will make available lists
setting out, in advance, the topics to be covered.

The organisation of seminars and tutorials is a little different. You should sign up for Seminar and
tutorial groups (see above).

Remember that seminars are your opportunity to ask questions, express your views, and discuss
the views of others, including your tutor’s. Careful preparation according to your tutor’s
requirements is essential if you are to benefit fully from seminars and tutorials.

Students on the German Studies single honours degree will need to choose an optional module.
Your personal tutor will be available to advise you on this.

Please note that it is a requirement of German Studies that you purchase your own copies of all
primary texts for GE108 Writers, Media and Society, and GE109 Aspects of German Culture in the
Age of Enlightenment.
13
GERMAN SOCIETY
The German Society:
Run by students for students, this society organises events, trips, socials and is a great way to
extend your social life within the German student body - and to practise your German.
You can join our face book group Warwick German Studies Freshers 2015/16
and follow us on twitter
twitter@ger_soc .
14
,
Information for students in Italian
INDUCTIONS FOR LANGUAGE MODULES WEEK 1
IT101 Italian for beginners
WED 9-10 in H1.48
IT105 Working Italian
WED 13-14 in H0.60
IT107/108 Advanced Placement test and
induction
WED 12-13 in H0.60
IT109 Italian for historians
THURS 10-11 in H5.45
IT tutor/tutee meetings
TUE 17-18 in H4.03
First Meetings - Cultural Modules Week 1
IT110 Representations of Thursday 3.00 – 4.00
Modern Italy
H3.44
JL
IT114 Italy and the Myth
of Rome
H2.44
MV
Tuesday 11.00-1.00
Year abroad in Italy
One of the most important things you will want to discuss with as many people as possible (usually during
your first few weeks in year 1) is the choice of an Italian university for your year abroad. We will be
arranging a meeting with third year students who have just returned from Italy so that they can tell you
about their experiences. Later we will describe more fully the ERASMUS schemes that are open to you.
We have exchanges with many universities across Italy.
15
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS IN HISPANIC STUDIES
Our general induction meeting will be on Monday 5th October, 3-4 pm; room LIB2.This meeting is for all
First Year students doing Hispanic Studies and Spanish language.
Inductions for language modules in week 1: introductory meetings. Your attendance is essential.

HP101 Modern Spanish Language I (advanced)
Tuesday 6th October, 11:00-13:00, room H0.61

HP102 Modern Spanish for Beginners
Tuesday 6th October, 11:00-12 am, room H0.64
First sessions for content modules in week 1: for students deciding about Hispanic Studies culture
modules:


HP104 Images and representations of the Hispanic World
Tuesday 6th October, 4-6 pm, room H2.02
HP103 Language, Text and Identity in the Hispanic World
Wednesday 7th October, 9-10 am, room H4.03
Wednesday 7th October, 10-11 am, room H4.22/4
Grammar books
For students doing:
HP101 Modern Spanish Language I

Title: Gramática de uso del español: teoría y práctica Nivel B: B1-B2
Author: Palencia del Burgo, Ramón y Luis Aragonés Fernández
Publisher: SM 2014
HP102 Modern Spanish Language for Beginners. Students will require the following books:

BOOK 1
Title: Gramática de uso del español: teoría y práctica Nivel A: A1-A2
Author: Palencia del Burgo, Ramón y Luis Aragonés Fernández
Publisher: Editorial SM 2014

BOOK 2
Title: Gramática de uso del español: teoría y práctica Nivel B: B1-B2
Author: Palencia del Burgo, Ramón y Luis Aragonés Fernández
Publisher: Editorial SM 2014
Hispanic Society
If you are interested in the Hispanic world then we have the perfect group for you, Warwick Hispanic
Studies society! It is a new and upcoming society full of friendly faces who share the same passion for
languages! Not only do we organise book sales and offer advice and workshops related to the course, but
we also meet up for social events such as cinema trips, meals out and other exciting activities. Joining our
society gives you the opportunity to meet many people with the same interests, receive lots of help and
advice but also have fun at the same time! We would love to see as many of you this year and you can
find more information on the SU website or on our Facebook page Warwick Hispanic Studies society.
¡Hasta pronto amigos!
16
INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS OF BA MODERN LANGUAGES
In this degree you spend 75% of your time on two languages/culture, and 25% of your time on a third
language. 75% of your overall time is spent on language development (25% on each of three languages),
leaving 25% of your time for culture modules associated with the first two languages.
Although most students may already have two A-levels (or equivalent) in language subjects, it is possible
for talented linguists to take two languages ab initio (of which one must be Spanish or Italian).
The third language can be a third European language (taken at any level) or one of Arabic, Japanese,
Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese or Russian (from beginners or GCSE level).
This table shows the overall degree structure, so that you can plan your first year accordingly.
For further details see: BA Modern Languages
Year 1
Language 1
Language 2
Language 3
LN101 Language and Cultures
beyond boundaries
Total
OR
Culture module associated with first
language
Credits
30
30
30
30
Year 2/3
Language 1
Language 2
Language 3
120
30 credits of cultural modules from
Language 1 OR
30 credits of cultural modules from
Language 2 OR
15 credit cultural module from
Language 1 AND 15 credit cultural
module from Language 2
Credits
30
30
30
2 x 15
Year 4
Language 1
language
Language 2
language
Language 3
language
120
30 credits cultural modules from
Language 1 OR
15 credit cultural module from
Language 1 AND 15 credit cultural
module from Language 2
Credits
30
30
30
2 x 15
17
120