Diploma in Languages

The Diploma in Languages (D-Lang) provides students with the opportunity to undertake a full program of language study while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne. The D-Lang consists of a three-year sequence of language study which may add up to one year to the duration of the student’s degree course. In fast track mode both the bachelors degree and diploma may be completed in three and a half or three years (see examples below of the different articulated entry points). Students enrolled in the D-Lang take their language subjects alongside their Bachelor degree in an integrated progression of study. Students are able to enter the language at different entry points, depending on proficiency. All languages have a sequenced and articulated path of study commencing at proficiency level 1 (beginners), proficiency level 3 or proficiency level 5 (post VCE) and continuing through to at least proficiency level 6 (advanced). Many languages also offer more advanced entry points (see each language area for further information).

The Diploma may only be awarded on the completion of the Bachelor degree course. This means that graduation from the Diploma will only occur at the same time as graduation from the Bachelor degree.

Students wishing to qualify for entry to the BA (Honours) should note that Diploma graduates must have completed a Bachelor of Arts degree to be eligible to apply for the BA (Honours), otherwise they may apply to enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts.

The final 50 points of the Diploma in Languages is HECS-free. The HECS exemption is available to new generation undergraduate degree students but not to Bachelor of Engineering students. Only the final 50 points of the Diploma in Languages are HECS-free – students must have completed the first 50 points of the Diploma (either through a cross crediting arrangement or in addition to their degree requirements) to be eligible for the HECS-free 50 points.

On completion of the Diploma in Languages, students should:

• have acquired a mastery of both oral/aural and writing/reading skills comparable to that of a student majoring in a language discipline;
• have gained a basic understanding of selected aspects of the culture (or cultures) and of the society (or societies) associated with the language.

For detailed information on course structure and subjects as well as proficiency and entry levels please refer to the individual language entry below.

Students are required to complete 100 points in the program, the equivalent of a major, through the following progression sequence. The Language program is based on proficieny so each student must meet the requirements of each year level before they can proceed to the next year level:

25 points (2 subjects) of level 1
37.50 points (3 subjects) of level 2
37.50 points (3 subjects) of level 3

*Note that Chinese entry point 1 (beginners) requires 125 points of study, therefore it is not possible to complete the equivalent of a Chinese major through the D-Lang, students may therefore be required to take the further 25 points (2 subjects) within their bachelor's program pending on capacity and course requirements.

Specialisations

Specialisations are available in:

Articulation and Structures

Students can articulate into the Diploma in their first year or second year of their respective Bachelor's degrees.

Student completing a Bachelor degree and diploma over 7 or 8 semesters need to ensure that they complete a first, second and third year sequence of language study, plus any required elective subjects in the language at the appropriate level.

• Students enrolling in the diploma from first year will complete 100 points of study in addition to their Bachelor degree program.

• Students enrolling in the diploma from second year, having completed 25 points of language at Level 1 in their bachelor degree will complete a further 75 points of language study within the diploma.

• Students that enrol in the diploma at third year, having completed 25 points of level 1 and 25 points at level 2 in their Bachelor degree will complete the remaining 100 points of the diploma. Students choosing this option will be able to complete a 350 point total program.

It is the student's responsibility to ensure that s/he meets the requirements of the diploma by enrolling in the correct number of subjects at the appropriate year level. Students must also ensure they meet requirements their bachelor’s degree for which they study concurrently.

Please note that depending on the nature of your degree program and language spcecialisation the combination of core and breadth subjects taken within your concurrent degree and diploma may vary slightly from the articulation entry points that are outlined below.

Diploma in Languages enrolment at first year (400 points in total)
Year One (100 points)

Enrolment within the degree:

* 50 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of breadth subjects

Enrolment within the D-Lang:

* 25 points of language subjects

Year Two (100 points)

Enrolment within the degree:

* 50 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of breadth subjects

Enrolment within the D-Lang:

* 25 points of language subjects

Year Three (100 points)

Enrolment within the degree:

* 50 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of breadth subjects

Enrolment within the D-Lang:

* 25 points of language subjects

Year Four (100 points)

Enrolment within the degree:
* 75 points of core program subjects

Enrolment within the D-Lang:

25 points of language subjects

Diploma in Languages enrolment at second year (375 points in total)

Year One (100 points)

Enrolment within the Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Environments, or Bachelor of Science degree:

* 75 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of language subjects (taken as breadth)

Enrolment within the Bachelor of Arts degree:

* 50 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of breadth
* 25 points of language study (taken as part of the core program)

Year Two (100 points)

Enrolment within the degree:

* 50 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of breadth subjects

Enrolment within the D-Lang:

* 25 points of language subjects

Year Three (100 points)

Enrolment within the degree:

* 50 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of breadth subjects

Enrolment in the D-Lang:

* 25 points of language subjects

Year Four (75 points)

Enrolment within the degree:
* 50 points of core program subjects

Enrolment within the D-Lang:

* 25 points of language subjects

Diploma in Languages enrolment at third year (350 points in total)

Year One (100 points)

Enrolment within the Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Environments, or Bachelor of Science degree:

* 75 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of language subjects (taken as breadth)

Enrolment within the Arts degree:

* 50 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of breadth

* 25 points of language subjects (taken as part of the core program)

Year Two (100 points)

Enrolment within the Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Environments, or Bachelor of Science degree:

* 75 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of language subjects (taken as breadth)

Enrolment within the Bachelor of Arts degree:

* 50 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of breadth
* 25 points of language subjects (taken as part of the core program)

Year Three (100 points)

Enrolment within the degree:

* 50 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of breadth subjects

Enrolment within the D-Lang:

* 25 points of language subjects

Year Four (50 points)

Enrolment within the degree:

* 25 points of core program subjects

Enrolment within the D-Lang:

* 25 points of language subjects

Fast track program for high achieving students (350 points in total)

Please note that depending on the nature of your degree program and language specialisation in the diploma the combination of core and breadth subjects taken at later years may vary slightly from this example.

Year One

Enrolment within the Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Environments, or Bachelor of Science degree:

* 75 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of language subjects (taken as breadth)

Enrolment within the Bachelor of Arts degree:

* 50 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of breadth
* 25 points of language subjects (taken as part of the core program)

Year Two

* High-achieving students are permitted to overload in preparation for D-Lang entry at level three

Enrolment within the Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Environments, or Bachelor of Science degree:

* 75 points of core program subjects and 25 points of breadth
* and 25 points of language subjects as breadth

Enrolment within the Bachelor of Arts degree:

* 75 points of core program subjects and 25 points of breadth
* and 25 points of language subjects as core program

Year Three

Enrolment within the Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Environments, or Bachelor of Science degree:

* 75 points of core program subjects

Enrolment within the Arts degree:

* 50 points of core program subjects
* 25 points of breadth

Enrolment within the D-Lang:

* 25 points of language subjects
* 25 points of language elective/cultural subjects

The Diploma in Languages is only available to students who are currently enrolled in a new generation undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne*.

A place in the Diploma cannot be deferred.

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications), the pre-2008 Bachelor of Arts, degrees in Health Sciences, Veterinary Science and VCA degrees are not permitted to enrol in the DipLang. Students enrolled in these degree programs may apply for entry to the Diploma in Modern Languages (Dip MLang).

Students entering the Diploma at the end of first or second year of their degree must have already completed 25 or 50 points of study in the language of the Diploma as part of their degree. Completed language subjects may be cross credited to the Diploma in Languages.

* The Diploma of Languages may not be available to Bachelor of Commerce students majoring in Actuarial Studies.

The Diploma allows students to study languages at different proficiency levels, students with little or no knowledge as well as those who have completed several years of study can commence the Diploma in Languages.

The language entry point is dependent on the student’s previous language experience and is determined by the relevant language program. Refer to the individual language entries below for detailed information regarding language proficiency levels and language testing, if and where required.

The inherent academic requirements for study in the Diploma in Languages Arts are:

• the ability to attend classes and actively engage in both independent and group learning;
• the ability to comprehend complex disciplinary and interdisciplinary information related to the courses taught in the faculty;
• the ability to explain and evaluate complex concepts, theories and issues at work in a variety of texts;
• the ability to clearly communicate a knowledge and application of humanities, social sciences and language principles and practices during assessment tasks.

All Diploma in Languages students are required to possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the minimum levels of competence required by the degree.

Candidates for the Diploma in Languages degree must have abilities in comprehension, theorization, and communication

• Communication: Students must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form. They should also be able to communicate with fellow students, professional and academic staff, and the wider public. They must have the capacity to clearly and independently communicate knowledge and application of language disciplines.
• Intellectual and Organisational Abilities: Students must have the ability to establish study plans and prioritise learning objectives. They are also expected to have the ability to develop problem-solving skills and to comprehend complex disciplinary and cross-disciplinary information related to the Diploma in Languages.
• Behavioural and Social Attributes: Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. They must take full responsibility for their own participation and learning. Students also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative environments and must therefore demonstrate a wide range of interpersonal skills which consider the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students. Integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are deemed necessary for students enrolled in Arts courses

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from participating in tasks involving these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact Disability Liaison:http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability; however, students should participate in the course in an independent manner.

The DipLang provides a pathway to graduate level language study. For more information, see the Arts future students webpage.

Academically excellent
The Diploma in Languages will be subject to a continuous cycle of review through Australian and international benchmarking, and through constant refinements in teaching and learning principles and approaches. Students in the Diploma are taught by outstanding scholars.

Knowledgeable across disciplines
The Diploma in Language offers specialisations in 12 languages. Students with take the Diploma while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne.

Leaders in communities
The Diploma in Languages facilitates the development of excellent interpersonal and communication skills through subject content and assessment practices, and through commitment to small-group interactive teaching and learning environments. The provision of research and knowledge transfer opportunities enables the development of public discourse skills and an extensive awareness of community issues and global needs.

Attuned to cultural diversity
The Diploma in Languages allows students to develop a broad understanding of cultural, social and historical aspects in both language and culture. The Diploma offers an integrated curriculum to help students understand the complexity and diversity from which the language originates. Students from a variety of cultural backgrounds can explore language activities that promote intercultural and communicative competence. Students may also take advantage of study abroad or exchange opportunities providing them with experiences outside their own culture.

Active global citizens
Diploma graduates will be equipped to be active global citizens by virtue of their academic excellence, their inter-disciplinary knowledge, their community leadership capabilities and their cultural awareness>

Students that successfully complete the Diploma should aquire the following:

• an understanding of the social, political, historical and cultural contexts and international awareness
• time management and planning skills through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, essay and assignment completion.
• public speaking skills through tutorial and seminar discussion and class presentations.
• critical thinking and analysis skills through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining strength of an argument.
• research skills through competent use of the library, and other information sources and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research.