Diploma of Language

The Diploma of Language can be undertaken as a stand-alone award, part-time over three years. It can also be undertaken concurrently with your principal degree, commencing in the first or second year of study. This will normally add an extra six months or one year to your studies.

Deakin's courses are flexible so you can choose specialist areas as you progress through your course and tailor your degree to match your career goals. You can study part time and on or off campus, giving you plenty of options to choose how you structure your course.*

This award offers considerable flexibility by making it possible for you to study language as an adjunct to any other discipline(s), particularly when your degree structure would not otherwise permit completion of the full language major.

The Diploma of Language will be of interest to students across the University for whom a systematic study of language is a desirable addition to their primary course of study.

Apart from our range of innovative courses, vibrant campuses and our outstanding services and facilities, students tell us that the thing they notice most about Deakin is its supportive and friendly environment study. Our staff are knowledgeable and approachable, and our services include many clubs and societies that will enable you to expand your interests and make new friends.

Career Opportunities

Course graduates will find employment in:

• foreign affairs departments, intelligence and security organisations
• local government and community-based organisations
• trade, commerce and communications industry
• travel and tourism
• education sector and translation services
• health organisations
• police/military
• IT and engineering.

Language skills in Arabic, Chinese and Indonesian are increasingly important in diplomacy, defence, security, commerce and trade-related fields; as well as for developing intercultural understanding and a global outlook.

These three languages are all strategic in terms of Australia's interests, and new opportunities are expected to emerge in the future in response to our ever-changing world.

Course Overview

This course is suitable for students with no language experience, as well as those who have previously studied the language, and native speakers. Students study different units depending on their prior knowledge.

In-country summer study may be used as credit towards the award. It is anticipated that students undertaking the program concurrently with another degree will normally require an additional six months of study to complete both awards. This is comparable to programs offered by other universities and will afford students the same opportunities as completion of a language major sequence in a Bachelor of Arts.

 

The unique and broad mix of disciplines offered by the Faculty of Arts and Education will make your studies at Deakin intellectually stimulating and relevant to the future workforce. Enhance your current degree with a Diploma of Language. Regardless of which degree you are studying, the added benefit of a language qualification will open doors to exciting new opportunities and experiences.

Teaching staff

About the Languages teaching staff

 

Dr Rebecca Fanany
introduces Languages

Key features

• incorporation of entry and exit points for students with no language experience, for background speakers and for native speakers requiring a language qualification
• offer of training and retraining for professionals
• can be fast-tracked with summer in-country study
• makes use of online teaching in Deakin Studies Online (DSO), encouraging autonomous learning
• a library service, ranked among the best in the world, which has set a benchmark for Australian universities.
  
  

Essential information

Entry requirements
The Diploma of Language is a part-time program which is taken over three years. This program is open to anyone who is eligible for admission to a degree, or who has graduated. It can also be undertaken concurrently with your principal degree, commencing in the first or second year of study.

Course duration and delivery
Deakin offers three of the most important languages to Australia today. Choose one of the following to study for your diploma:

• Arabic: Melbourne Burwood Campus and from Trimester 1, 2013 study at Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, or off campus
• Chinese (Mandarin): Melbourne Burwood Campus, and from Trimester 1, 2013 study at Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
• Indonesian: Melbourne Burwood Campus, Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds, or off campus

If you elect to undertake the Diploma of Language alongside your current degree, it will normally add an extra six months or a year to your principal degree studies. If you undertake one of the optional in-country units (Arabic, Indonesian, or Chinese) over the summer, this will allow you to complete your course sooner.