Written skills are developed through the production of small pieces of creative writing and other activities, including online language learning and the use of materials taken from French and Italian TV and radio; small-group oral classes are conducted by native speakers; the School of Modern Languages also offers special training for linguists with its core skills module for language learners; all students normally follow a 3-week summer programme in either France or Italy, for which financial assistance is available, following successful completion of the 1st year.