Any of you done an a-level in a 'less common' language?

She first came to England when we were in Year 3, but has moved to Russia and back twice since then Her mum also only speaks to her in Russian, and as a consequence her little sister (who's never lived in Russia) is bilingual. Lucky little thing.

Ah, I've forgotten most of my GCSE German Definitely want to pick it - and another language - up again at some point.

A few friends of mine are doing Russian.
And I know a few people doing Japanese, but I don't know if it's common or not.

Does Latin count? It is a 'dead' language and not very popular nowadays.

Does Latin count? It is a 'dead' language and not very popular nowadays.

Judging by the looks I get when I say I'm studying it as part of an Ancient History degree, I'd say it does count.

My favourite response thus far has to be 'But people doing History don't learn Old English...?' And my response is generally one of laughter and 'You wouldn't understand dear.'

Judging by the looks I get when I say I'm studying it as part of an Ancient History degree, I'd say it does count.

My favourite response thus far has to be 'But people doing History don't learn Old English...?' And my response is generally one of laughter and 'You wouldn't understand dear.'

Haha let's throw the ancient languages into this thread as well! I always wonderd what studying latin/classical greek would be like?
What were your reasons for picking Latin? )

But why exactly is Latin such an important component of ancient history? I know it's the mother of many languages and lots of ancient texts are written in latin *Et cetera* but why is it so important to learn the ''dead'' language today??

*waves Latin flag*

That's such a ridiculous response it made me laugh! I just get various people telling me I'm studing a "dead language" which has "no relevance today" and is "useless". It's even more bizarre when it's from people studying A-level History (and some who want to do it at uni) who don't see that someone somewhere must have translated all those medieval documents we read. Possibly even a historian!

Not sure it does count though as I can't fluently speak it, obviously. Getting better at English to Latin prose composition though.

But why exactly is Latin such an important component of ancient history? I know it's the mother of many languages and lots of ancient texts are written in latin *Et cetera* but why is it so important to learn the ''dead'' language today??

Well, I studied A-Level Latin books in my spare time but never bothered to acquire a qualification in it. To put it straight: studying Latin makes you good at solving crosswords and puzzles. The language is beautiful and still retains its sense of imperial awe but I have not learned much day-to-day conversation in the language. I wish I had the option of Classical Greek in school

I chose to study Latin because, as a history student, I would like to read historical sources from the Roman Empire and Middle Ages. I also thought in my naivety that scholars still speak Latin

I get that too but oh well. I've only just started so am awful. Finishing my first year of it and it's definitely tough!

And as romanorum-hellas said it makes for some stunning pub quiz and crossword moments.

And as romanorum-hellas said it makes for some stunning pub quiz and crossword moments.

Yeah, I find prose composition difficult but it's the most enjoyable part of the subject for me! I'd love to get to the point where Latin's actually used in my History (possible applicant 2013 here, I'm only Year 12). My teacher gave out some Latin excerpts from a medieval poem the other day on the bottom of an unrelated worksheet, but looked at me like I was crazy when I asked for a copy of the translation to check!

And yes, Latin grants amazing crossword skills.

Now that alone is good enough a reason to pursue Latin... ahh double meanings you said? Hmm I knew some of the things written in the bible were just mistranslation of the real thangg!

Employers view languages as great but as Modern Hebrew is his first-tongue, most universities wouldn't accept it as an A-level in it's own right. It's rather unfair, really, when they accept English natives studying English Language

It would actually be amazing if scholars still spoke Latin.

I did Classical Greek for GCSE (in a class of three - it's dying out at my school) and it's not as difficult to pick up as all that! It's much more fluid that Latin - more like English in construction, actually - and once you get used to the alphabet it can be easier to translate, especially in prose. Having said that, Homer's verse pretty much dumbfounded me.

My teacher ran evening classes for adults in her spare time, anyway. It's never too late.



Yeah, I find prose composition difficult but it's the most enjoyable part of the subject for me! I'd love to get to the point where Latin's actually used in my History (possible applicant 2013 here, I'm only Year 12). My teacher gave out some Latin excerpts from a medieval poem the other day on the bottom of an unrelated worksheet, but looked at me like I was crazy when I asked for a copy of the translation to check!

And yes, Latin grants amazing crossword skills.

Now that alone is good enough a reason to pursue Latin... ahh double meanings you said? Hmm I knew some of the things written in the bible were just mistranslation of the real thangg!

Well Russian seems to be getting increasingly populair! Are these friends natives btw or did they pick the language up from scratch? I respect anyone who's learned those languages!

English Language A-level is not the English equivalent of Modern Hebrew A-level. They're completely different things. You're thinking of an A-level in English as a Second Language. Not sure whether it exists - there are plenty of tests of English language ability for non-natives around.

Edit: On another note, I would like to be able to do Danish GCSE/A-level but neither exist. Pffff.