Independent language learning

You can access free learning material and advice for independent language study at the Language Zone.

The Language Zone gives you access to free resources to help you learn a language. It is open to all students and staff at Leeds and provides learning material in more than 50 languages. We're located on the second floor of the Parkinson Building – campus map link.

You can find information about our opening times, as well as links to online activities and materials, on our SharePoint pages. You can also contact us by email: languagezone@leeds.ac.uk

We have a computer cluster for personal study, and books, magazines, audio and video resources to help you learn a language. Check what you can access on the library's online catalogue.

Workshops and activities

We have a range of workshops, language groups and advice drop-ins to help you study. You can find details of our events, such as Conversation Club, on our SharePoint pages.

If you require one-to-one support for academic skills, you can book an appointment through Skills@Library. You can find more details on how to book an appointment on their web pages.

Language Exchange

The Language Exchange allows language learners to get in touch with fluent speakers, offering conversation and practice in their own language in exchange for practice in their target language. Find out more about the Language Exchange.

Language Groups Programme

Language Groups

Language Groups are weekly conversation groups, led by student volunteers who are fluent speakers of the language. They facilitate friendly relaxed sessions on topics such as student life and cross-cultural experience. 

They are a great way to meet new people who share your passion for learning languages, and a chance to learn things about a language and culture you might not find in textbooks and formal language classes.

You can read quotes from previous leaders and participants about their experiences on our Sharepoint site.

We are currently running language groups for: English, French, German, Japanese & Spanish. You can join the groups as a participant, or if you are a speaker of one of these languages, you can volunteer to lead a group.

Become a Leader of a Language Group

As a volunteer Language Group Leader, you will receive training and support to help other students develop their skills a language that you speak fluently. This is a chance to use and develop your interpersonal skills and creativity, and to gain cultural awareness useful for teaching and group facilitation, whilst making a positive impact on others.

If you lead a Language Group for two or more semesters, it will be added to your Higher Education Achievement Record, which accompanies your degree certificate if you successfully complete the programme.

Leaders need to attend an on-campus training session, and can choose to work as an individual or with a co-leader to create and deliver 5 one-hour Language Group sessions during the semester.

We will be recruiting leaders again in September 2024.

Apply to Join a Group

Language Groups offer informal conversation practice, and are available to students whose language level is Lower Intermediate/CEFR B1 or higher. For a useful explanation of these levels, please visit https://leeds.cervantes.es/imagenes/cefr-en.pdf.

Applications to join groups have closed for this semester, and will reopen in October 2024.

If you would like us to run a Language Group in an additional language to the ones we currently offer, please register your interest at this form.

Opening times

Term time

Monday - Thursday 9.30am - 8.00pm

Friday 9.30am - 5pm

Saturday 12 - 5pm

Non-term time

Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5.00pm

We are closed on Bank Holidays and all other days when the University buildings are closed.

Please see our SharePoint page for updates.