Learning a new language in Newcastle University Wide Language Programme for free

Fancy learning a new language on campus? Curious about how this programme works? Keep reading to find out more! 

The University Wide Language Programme or UWLP is a programme made for all students at Newcastle University who want to learn a new language for free alongside their degree. 

From Arabic to Spanish, Japanese to German, there’s a wide variety of options to choose from, as well as different levels to suit your experience. 

How does it work?

Classes usually take place on Wednesday afternoons or evenings, but if a group is too large, additional sessions may be scheduled on Fridays.

Lessons are held in the Old Library Building. 

To register for the programme next year, you’ll need to fill out an application form and wait for the University Wide Language Programme to contact you. Applications for Semester 1, 25/26, will open in May. 

Is it worth it? 

I am currently in my second semester of Korean Elementary, with the module leader Jihyun Lee, and it has been an amazing experience! 

Before joining the programme, I already had some basic knowledge of Korean, so instead of choosing Beginners, I challenged myself with Elementary. At first, it was a bit difficult to keep up, as the classes are fully immersive in both Korean and English. Also, some students had attended the class since the Beginners course, so they were more familiar with the teaching style. However, little by little, I got used to the pace and started to feel more comfortable. 

Personally, I really like the structure of the classes when we start a new topic: 

1. Vocabulary Review – We go over the words for the day, including nouns, suffixes, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, and sometimes interjections. 
2. Reading and Listening – We read a passage related to the topic and listen to an audio version of it. 
3. Sentence Breakdown – The teacher explains the meaning of each sentence. 
4. Grammar Explanation – We learn new grammar structures through various examples. 
5. Practice – We reinforce our learning through writing exercises or conversations with classmates. 

One of the best things about my class is that we learn in a funny and interesting way! I remember playing charades or watching memes to practice new vocabulary, and when learning how to describe people, we used pictures of K-pop artists like BTS and BLACKPINK. 

Although my classes are from 5 to 7 PM and we don’t always get a break, I think it’s a great opportunity to learn intensively once a week. Plus, all materials are available on Canvas, and we even have a Quizlet link to practice the vocabulary of the week. 

Should you try UWLP?

If you’re interested in learning (or continuing to learn) a new language, I definitely recommend giving UWLP a try! And if you feel like it’s not for you, no worries—you can withdraw within the first few weeks if it's not for you. 

If you decide to give it a chance, here are some of the best tips I've used to get the most of this experience. 

Tips for making the most of UWLP classes:

1. Print the materials  

If you’re a visual learner like me, this tip will help you a lot. Personally, I prefer writing notes on paper rather than typing on a laptop, especially when learning a different writing system. Printing presentations allows me to add extra notes and practice writing directly on them. 

If you have a tablet or touchscreen laptop, you can also take handwritten notes digitally! 

2. Practise with the extra materials

Since classes only happen once a week, regular practice is essential to avoid forgetting what you’ve learned. You’ll find extra materials on Canvas and on the internet, so try to practice in your free time. 

This will help you recognise more words and sentence structures, making the next class easier to understand. 

3. Don’t Be Afraid of Falling Behind 

Learning a new language is an amazing journey, but everyone learns at their own pace. Some topics might be easier for others, and vice versa. That’s completely normal! It can feel difficult at the beginning because everything is new, but instead of feeling discouraged, try to see it as an opportunity to challenge yourself and improve. 

When I first started learning Korean, I felt really frustrated because I struggled to grasp many of the concepts while some of my classmates seemed to pick them up effortlessly. However, one day, while listening to music, I recognised a single word in the lyrics. That small moment felt incredible and gave me the motivation to keep going.

Everyone’s learning journey is different, and no pace is more valid than another. Be patient with yourself, take your time, and trust the process. This is something new, and you are still adjusting. 

By Estrella, a first-year Journalism, Media, and Culture student and Student Content Creator