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Department of Language and Linguistic Science
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General Language and Culture courses

Improve your language skills and cultural awareness with our LfA courses, which run in evenings and on Wednesday afternoons. They are open to everyone and run at a range of levels.

We currently offer Arabic, Chinese, Classical Latin, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Medieval Latin and Spanish. Classes run from October to May, during the University’s term time, for a total of 18 weeks. 

LfA courses are open to anyone who wishes to learn a language and provide an opportunity to learn in an engaging and inclusive environment.

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Languages for All

Course Dates 2025/26

Part 1 (9 sessions):

  • Start week beginning Monday 6 October 2025
  • Vacation (no LfA classes):  27 October - 2 November
  • End week finishing Friday 12 December 2025

Part 2 (9 sessions):

  • Start week beginning Monday 9 February 2026
  • Vacation (no LfA classes):  30 March - 10 April 2026
  • End week finishing 24 April 2026

IWLP talks

Come along to one of the following talks to find out more about the different language learning opportunities:

  • Thu 18 September - 12-1pm in PZA/103 (Campus East)
  • Fri 19 September - 12-1pm in SLB/118 (Campus West)
  • Wed 24 September - 10-11am in SLB/118 (Campus West)

Course Fees

Fee options (18 weeks, 2 weekly hours):

  • £260 University of York students 
  • £320 University of York staff/Over 60s/Students from other HE institutions 
  • £340 University of York alums
  • £350 Members of the public

If you are a visiting student or scholar who is at the University of York for one semester only and you wish to enrol for part 1 or part 2 only, please contact us at languages@york.ac.uk for information about entry level requirements and fees.

Register for a LfA general language and culture course

Registration for our General Language and Culture LfA courses is now closed.

Languages and levels

Our General Language and Culture courses are available for Arabic, Chinese, Classical Latin, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Medieval Latin and Spanish at levels ranging from Beginner to Advanced. They align with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Please consult our detailed guide and/or assess your level through our self-assessment tool, available for French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.

Tailor your language-learning journey 

If you are a UoY student, you can choose between our extracurricular LfA courses or our accredited York Language Electives (YLEs) and easily move from one strand to another. For example, if you choose a 20-credit elective module in French one year, then you can take a higher-level class in French as an evening course through our LfA programme the following year and vice versa.

Timetable and Course Descriptors

Please see the LfA General Language and Culture Courses Timetable 2025/26 for an overview of our courses and class times.

Languages for All at the York 50+ Festival

Wed 24 September, 4-5pm - Six Myths about Language Learning
A talk where Prof Monika S Schmid, Head of the Language and Linguistic Science Department at the University of York, will debunk myths about language learning, including the belief that only young people can learn languages. Learn more about language courses open to all at the University of York. Max no. 50, first come, first served. Look for the Languages at York banner on the main entrance. 
Venue: King’s Manor, K/122 - Huntingdon Room (first floor), Exhibition Square, York YO1 7EP.
Accessibility YES - WA, WT, BBP, HL NO - BSL        

LfA Terms and conditions

Please make sure you have read our LfA Full terms and conditions before registering for one of our courses.

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Languages for All