St Mary’s Expands its Learn a Language Course

St Mary’s University, Twickenham has added three new language classes to its already extensive portfolio of short courses. The Learn a Language programme, which successfully launched last year to great success, continues this September and October and now includes Arabic, Mandarin and Japanese, adding to the existing portfolio of European languages, including British Sign Language. Whilst many of the courses are aimed at beginners, intermediate conversational and advanced classes are also on offer. All of the Learn a Language courses aim to develop participants’ ability in reading, writing, listening and speaking in a chosen language through a range of individual and group activities. As well as the practical benefits of being able to communicate in a second language, studies have shown that learning a language can improve cognitive function, and a recent study using MRI scans, carried out at Lund University in Sweden, showed that it can even increase the size of the brain. Catherine Sheppard, Director of Enterprise & Business Development at St Mary’s, said, “Our language courses have become hugely popular in the short time since we launched them, and we've had excellent feedback from participants. The classes include a great mix of students, staff, and members of the public.” Prices start from £100 and courses run across 12 weeks starting in October. For more information call 020 8240 4321 or visit the website. A celebratory reception will be taking place on Monday 22nd September and will offer an opportunity to ask questions about the courses, and to register if people would like to. For more information please contact Catherine Sheppard at catherine.sheppard@stmarys.ac.uk.