Four streams to choose from
When you take a BA in International Languages and Cultures, you choose a single stream.
Chinese
Japanese
Spanish
French
International Languages and Cultures
International Languages and Cultures at Waikato offers four streams - Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish. With advanced language skills, you'll meet the world's need for multilingual and culturally sensitive speakers, enhancing your business and social skills and preparing you for success in a multicultural work environment.
We offer many possibilities to study languages and enable you to use multimedia applications to make international communication easier. You'll significantly increase your marketability and open doors for adventurous overseas job opportunities. Our languages programme is QS-rated in the top 250 subjects in the world.
We offer a range of options for studying languages with papers in Chinese, French, Japanese, Te Reo Māori and Spanish. You can choose to major in International Languages and Cultures endorsed in Chinese, French, Japanese or Spanish or take language papers to round off your degree. We allow you to combine languages with other courses, such as law or science, to further enhance your preparation for the workforce.
Students also benefit from travelling abroad to study their language through immersive learning opportunities. Chinese students, for instance, travel to China to gain first-hand language skills and cultural understanding.
Waikato gives you the space to become versatile to deal with texts in a variety of media formats to meet communication and translation needs. The International Languages and Cultures programme at Waikato is highly reputed and increases employability for those seeking job opportunities in other cultures and with different people groups.
Key information
| Study Location: | Hamilton |
|---|---|
| Area of Study: |
Study International Languages and Cultures in these qualifications
Study International Languages and Cultures as a specialisation of
Career opportunities
- Diplomat
- Hospitality Operator
- International Lawyer
- Tour Guide
- Translator or Interpreter
- Travel Agent
Papers
Available International Languages and Cultures papers
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINE131 | Chinese for Beginners 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| An introductory paper designed for students with no previous knowledge of Chinese. It takes an integrated approach involving all four of the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students with prior knowledge of Chinese should consult the Convenor of Chinese. | |||
| CHINE132 | Chinese for Beginners 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper is the continuation of CHINE131/CHIN131 and focuses on the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing the Chinese language at an elementary level. | |||
| FRNCH131 | French for Beginners 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| Learn the basics of written and spoken French including greetings, family, city life and daily routines. No previous knowledge of French is needed. | |||
| FRNCH132 | French for Beginners 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| Learn to talk and write in French about food, travel, careers and past events. You will need some prior knowledge of French. | |||
| INTLC101 | International Languages and Cultures | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) & 21G (Online) |
| This paper introduces students to major world cultures and their languages in a comparative context. Students will gain a critical understanding of culture and diversity through examining the languages and cultures of China, France, Japan, Spain and Latin America. | |||
| JAPAN131 | Japanese for Beginners 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| This paper assumes no previous knowledge of Japanese. It takes an integrated approach to the four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. | |||
| JAPAN132 | Japanese for Beginners 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper continues from JAPAN131. | |||
| SPNSH131 | Spanish for Beginners 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) & 21G (Hamilton) |
| The first of two papers that offer an introduction to Spanish language for beginners. Emphasis is given to communication underpinned by knowledge of the grammatical system of the language. This course aims to provide students with proficiency in both written and spoken Spanish and it takes students towards level A1 of the Common Eu... | |||
| SPNSH132 | Spanish for Beginners 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| The continuation of SPNSH131. This paper aims to build confidence in the language skills already acquired. Equal attention is given to each of the skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. This course aims to improve students' proficiency in both written and spoken Spanish and takes students to level A2 of the Common Europe... | |||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINE231 | Intermediate Chinese 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| This paper focuses on the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing the Chinese language at an intermediate level. | |||
| CHINE232 | Intermediate Chinese 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper is the continuation of CHINE231. | |||
| FRNCH225 | The French-speaking World from Astérix to Zombies | 15.0 | 21B (Online) |
| Discover the result of contact between French, regional and Indigenous cultures in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Topics include language revitalisation, the Slave Trade, Creoles and Vodou. This paper is taught in English. | |||
| FRNCH231 | Intermediate French 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| Take your written and spoken French to the next level. A B+ or above will let you go on exchange to France. | |||
| INTLC200 | Spanish & Latin American Business Culture: Intercultural Competence 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Online) |
| In this intermediate paper, students will acquire knowledge of Spanish in a practical and professional context related to business and tourism. Additionally, students will acquire geographic literacy and cultural understanding of the Spanish-speaking world and basic linguistic competence in Spanish. | |||
| INTLC221 | Understanding East Asia | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper offers a critical examination of historical traditions and contemporary life in East Asia, with a focus on China and Japan, and their roles within a global context. This paper is taught in English and is open to all students, including those who have no prior knowledge of Chinese and Japanese. | |||
| INTLC222 | European and Latin American Cultures | 15.0 | 21A (Online) |
| This paper explores aspects of European and Latin American cultures, history and society. This paper is taught in English and is open to all students, including those who have no prior knowledge of French and Spanish. | |||
| JAPAN231 | Basic Japanese 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| This paper continues from JAPAN132. In combination with JAPAN232 it completes the main corpus of grammar and introduces further skills fundamental to communicative competence. | |||
| JAPAN232 | Basic Japanese 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper continues from JAPAN231. In combination with JAPAN231 it completes the main corpus of grammar and introduces further skills fundamental to communicative competence. | |||
| SPNSH231 | Intermediate Spanish 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) & 21A (Online) |
| This intermediate language acquisition paper enables students to gain competence in grammar and conversation as well as in Spanish and Latin American cultures and conversation. This course aims to improve students' proficiency in both written and spoken Spanish and it takes students to level B1 of the Common European Framework of R... | |||
| SPNSH232 | Intermediate Spanish 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) & 21B (Online) |
| This paper is a continuation of SPNSH231. Students further develop skills in reading, writing, speaking and understanding Spanish. There is a focus on practical work, as well as written and spoken Spanish. This course aims to improve students' proficiency in both written and spoken Spanish and takes students to level B2 of the Comm... | |||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINE306 | Reading and Translation Skills: Chinese | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper is designed primarily for native speakers of Chinese. It is taught bilingually and aims to improve students' bilingual reading skills and develop students' ability to translate from and into Chinese and English. | |||
| CHINE307 | Political and Economic Modernisation in Chinese-speaking Asia | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper explores the different models of political and economic modernisation adopted in the four predominantly Chinese-speaking regions of Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Note: This paper is taught in English. | |||
| CHINE321 | Translation Methodology and Practice | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper develops students' ability to translate from Chinese to English and vice versa, utilising a variety of readings. Note: This paper is designed for non-native speakers of Chinese only. Native Chinese speakers are eligible to enrol in CHINE306. | |||
| CHINE331 | Advanced Chinese 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| This paper focuses on advanced Chinese language learning and is a continuation of Intermediate Chinese 2. | |||
| CHINE332 | Advanced Chinese 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper focuses on advanced Chinese language learning and is a continuation of Advanced Chinese 1. | |||
| FRNCH317 | French Culture from Versailles to the Revolution | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| A study of France's literary, social, and historical movements from the Golden Age of Versailles through to the Enlightenment and the Revolution it inspired. | |||
| FRNCH331 | Advanced French 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| Use your French in practical contexts. This paper covers work, CV-writing, presentations, travel, accommodation and everyday life in France. | |||
| FRNCH332 | Advanced French 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| Extend your written and spoken French skills through creative writing and discussion of current affairs in France. | |||
| INTLC304 | Cultural Identities in the Age of Globalisation | 15.0 | 21A (Online) |
| This paper explores the formation of cultural identities and the challenges they face in the age of globalisation through case studies from the Hispanic, French, Japanese and Chinese speaking world. | |||
| INTLC380 | Study Abroad 1 | 15.0 | 21G (Block), 21I (Block) & 21X (Block) |
| This paper will enable students to undertake appropriate individual study abroad programmes as part of their undergraduate degree. Each study programme should have a significant component of time spent offshore, with a series of assessments being agreed in advance with the paper convenor. | |||
| INTLC390 | Directed Study | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton), 21B (Hamilton), 21D (Hamilton) & 21H (Hamilton) |
| At the discretion of the relevant Programme Convenor, students undertake independent but guided research on a topic of the student's choice | |||
| JAPAN321 | Translation Methodology and Practice | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper examines the methodology and practice of Japanese to English and English to Japanese translation, utilising a variety of readings and media such as recipes, user manuals and movie subtitling. | |||
| JAPAN331 | Japanese for Communication 1 | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| This paper for pre-intermediate learners continues from JAPAN232. In combination with JAPAN332 students learn additional grammar and vocabulary and are expected to make a great progress on the intermediate-level study of Japanese language learning. | |||
| JAPAN332 | Japanese for Communication 2 | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper continues from JAPAN331. In combination with JAPAN331 students learn additional grammar and vocabulary and are expected to make a great progress on the intermediate-level study of Japanese language learning. | |||
| SPNSH300 | Spanish Internship | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton), 21A (Online), 21B (Hamilton), 21C (Online) & 21H (Hamilton) |
| SPNSH300 enables students to either credit professional practice such as work experience - here or abroad (i.e. language assistants in Spain or Latin America) or complete tasks related to an independent or collaborative research project. | |||
| SPNSH310 | Advanced Spanish Language | 15.0 | 21A (Hamilton) |
| This is an advanced language paper designed to enhance oral, aural and written proficiency in the language. The course aims to improve students' proficiency in both written and spoken Spanish. One aspect of the paper's multidisciplinary learning context, is that students will engage in a variety of exercises such as listening to au... | |||
| SPNSH321 | Spanish-English Translation Methodology and Practice | 15.0 | 21B (Hamilton) |
| This paper applies translation theory through a variety of texts and contexts such as journalism,literature, humour, film, and subtitling. | |||
Scholarships and prizes
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Subject links
Subject Requirements
For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information.
For more information about subject requirements please refer to the Catalogue of Papers for the most up to date information. If you have any questions and need more advice contact one of our friendly student advisors phone:
Note: Students with prior knowledge of the language they wish to specialise in must consult the Programme Convenor before enrolling in language acquisition papers.
Please note: For all graduate subject requirements check the information provided in the papers section above.
Contacts
School of Arts
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4932
General and Undergraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]
Graduate and Postgraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]