[coodooloo]

(Original post by translucent)
do I get an actual qualification at the end?

I think you would gain a qualification/certificate for doing the evening class in a language. Obviously if you do it as part of your degree, it would contribute to your final grade. And I'm not too sure about the summer programme. I'll have to fulfill one of these too, because I didn't do any language at GCSE.

[chignesh10]

(Original post by GottaLovePhysics! :))
Oh man, Im really not sure what "tips" I can offer!
I really, REALLY mucked up the interview, so I cant help you there (I was 45 mins late to the talk and discussion. Froze up in my interview, etc)

But I can tell you what my Grades were in percentages if thatll help you.
Maths: 92%
Further Maths: 89%
Chemistry: 88%
Physics: 88%
Biology: 86%

Gcses were 2A*s and 8As

Didnt have much extra curiculer on my PS. Feel free to ask me anything else

Yeah that helped. What about anything related to chemistry that u did in ur pS?

[Dalek1099]

(Original post by translucent)
I don't have a GCSE in a modern language,will I be at a disadvantage?
It states UCL will provide the opportunity to meet the language requirement once enrolled at UCL. I don't see why this is so important, a friend of mine achieved an A in GCSE french and has completely forgotten everything, just the generic basics 'bonjour' 'je'm appelle' (It's wrong isn't it) and how to say 'how are you' etc

some success story's would be comforting

I'm pleased I've took one GCSE in languages and am taking another one and I completely agree about languages-Universities/Employers need to understand how little you learn about a language at GCSE,so little it isn't worth anything and won't help you when trying to communicate with people,who speak a different language.

I can't say that I know much more than what you've said above and at this moment I don't know how to say how are you? for German,which I took early and got an A.The problem is that the course is split up into two sections memorisation,memorise the stuff you will get a good grade but don't make it too complicated-this isn't really learning because you will just forget the passage and haven't really learnt how to apply the passages and for the exams deduction is what is required,working out what it can't be and deducing what it could be-does any of that sound like it would teach someone a foreign language.

[ummm]

(Original post by kirstily)
I'm in year 13 and just got an offer, I have no GCSE language, so all I have to do is a summer language course or evening classes. The fact that you don't have the GCSE language wont matter in you being selected

That's encouraging! I'm a bit scared though, because some people said that they were straight rejected because of it? I'm going to email them about it and see what they say!

[coodooloo]

(Original post by ummm)
That's encouraging! I'm a bit scared though, because some people said that they were straight rejected because of it? I'm going to email them about it and see what they say!

If you have a valid reason then there shouldn't be a problem. I'd advise you to make your referee/school to write a letter or call up and explain reasons. This would help.

[chignesh10]

surely hi!

[girllxo]

1A 8B 2C.. A in maths and b's in all sciences
currently studying AS

[mollie.harris]

Hello everyone!

I would love to study medicine at UCL. It's gonna be so cool
Can anybody help me with this?
I'm did my IGCSEs and got an alright result. I've just re-taken biology (GCSE now) and got an A* Yaay! Rest is fine, won't be a problem as I'm considered to be an international student!
I've got Biology, Chemistry and Maths in AS and would be continuing with them in A2. Um, yeah, I'll give a language paper in Jan 2013 as my 4th AS.
I've got an ABCC in January exams and now summer exams in some days. A predicted of AAA, but I wonder if my performance has something to do with my predicitions. I mean, would my teachers change my AAA looking at whatsoever result I get in summers, no?
They didn't change it after looking at January exams, though.
and yes, I've got a first aid course certificate with me along with thirty hours of volunteering in three hospitals. and would be doing further 20 hours this summer. So, that's fine, for UCL? :/

PS: I'd be retaking my three january papers next year!

[Sophocrates]

(Original post by Dalek1099)
I'm pleased I've took one GCSE in languages and am taking another one and I completely agree about languages-Universities/Employers need to understand how little you learn about a language at GCSE,so little it isn't worth anything and won't help you when trying to communicate with people,who speak a different language.

I can't say that I know much more than what you've said above and at this moment I don't know how to say how are you? for German,which I took early and got an A.The problem is that the course is split up into two sections memorisation,memorise the stuff you will get a good grade but don't make it too complicated-this isn't really learning because you will just forget the passage and haven't really learnt how to apply the passages and for the exams deduction is what is required,working out what it can't be and deducing what it could be-does any of that sound like it would teach someone a foreign language.

Don't think about it quite literally... The skills you acquire from learning a language are exemplary. Learning how to speak, write, read and listen in another language are very desirable, it's impressive and necessary that people realise the importance in knowing some of another language. It actively works your mind and thinking, improving your own understanding of the language you speak day to day. It's not just about the memorising! I would encourage people to take a language at GCSE, definitely.

EDIT: Why neg...

[Dalek1099]

(Original post by Sophocrates)
Don't think about it quite literally... The skills you acquire from learning a language are exemplary. Learning how to speak, write, read and listen in another language are very desirable, it's impressive and necessary that people realise the importance in knowing some of another language. It actively works your mind and thinking, improving your own understanding of the language you speak day to day. It's not just about the memorising! I would encourage people to take a language at GCSE, definitely.

EDIT: Why neg...

You probably got negged for saying its not about memorising-it is pretty much all about the memorising,60% of the course is pure memorising and as long as you revise you should end up with an A in that(your teachers can write the most complicated sentences and you can just memorise them and anyone as long as they revise as much as they need to can but most people are lazy).

[Sophocrates]

(Original post by Dalek1099)
You probably got negged for saying its not about memorising-it is pretty much all about the memorising,60% of the course is pure memorising and as long as you revise you should end up with an A in that(your teachers can write the most complicated sentences and you can just memorise them and anyone as long as they revise as much as they need to can but most people are lazy).

Note: I said 'learning a language', that's not memorising.
I'm not implying just doing an exam in it and getting the qualification. I'm talking about actually LEARNING it. Indeed, you can memorise everything, theoretically, but that isn't what UCL is looking for. They're requesting applicants to have a GCSE in a language, because that's the only possible way to show, on paper, that you perhaps have acquired skills from studying a language.

[Dalek1099]

(Original post by Sophocrates)
Note: I said 'learning a language', that's not memorising.
I'm not implying just doing an exam in it and getting the qualification. I'm talking about actually LEARNING it. Indeed, you can memorise everything, theoretically, but that isn't what UCL is looking for. They're requesting applicants to have a GCSE in a language, because that's the only possible way to show, on paper, that you perhaps have acquired skills from studying a language.

By the time you have gotten to university,you will have forgotten all that was taught.

[Sophocrates]

(Original post by Dalek1099)
By the time you have gotten to university,you will have forgotten all that was taught.

Christ... how many times must I repeat myself?
I'm not talking about the actual syllabus and content of a course!!!!!
I'm talking about the SKILLS YOU ACQUIRE. Any perceptive skill gained cannot truly be lost but only developed and will aid your understanding in other areas of life - whether it's subconscious or not. MY, oh my you are ignorant aren't you?

[Dalek1099]

(Original post by Sophocrates)
Christ... how many times must I repeat myself?
I'm not talking about the actual syllabus and content of a course!!!!!
I'm talking about the SKILLS YOU ACQUIRE. Any perceptive skill gained cannot truly be lost but only developed and will aid your understanding in other areas of life - whether it's subconscious or not. MY, oh my you are ignorant aren't you?

The skills you are talking about can be learned in pretty much any other GCSE and yet the universities are still desperate for you to have a language GCSE.

[Sophocrates]

(Original post by Dalek1099)
The skills you are talking about can be learned in pretty much any other GCSE and yet the universities are still desperate for you to have a language GCSE.

Talking to you is like talking to a brick wall. Why don't you just accept that there is very much to gain from studying a language?
I will leave you with this:

"If students are completely monolingual, then their horizons are likely to be more limited than if they have an understanding of another culture," Professor Worton of UCL said.
"The majority of our students will work in different countries over the course of their careers. It is important they go in there with an understanding of cultural differences. It is not just about language departments. It is about people going on to be engineers, doctors or lawyers."

A direct understanding of culture. You cannot deny that a qualification in a language is beneficial in many ways.

But fine, do as you wish, just don't discourage people from studying a language. One of the top 5 universities require this for a reason - and I'm sure they have a better understanding of culture, useful skills and MFL examinations than you do.

[Dalek1099]

(Original post by Sophocrates)
Talking to you is like talking to a brick wall. Why don't you just accept that there is very much to gain from studying a language?
I will leave you with this:

"If students are completely monolingual, then their horizons are likely to be more limited than if they have an understanding of another culture," Professor Worton of UCL said.
"The majority of our students will work in different countries over the course of their careers. It is important they go in there with an understanding of cultural differences. It is not just about language departments. It is about people going on to be engineers, doctors or lawyers."

A direct understanding of culture. You cannot deny that a qualification in a language is beneficial in many ways.

But fine, do as you wish, just don't discourage people from studying a language. One of the top 5 universities require this for a reason - and I'm sure they have a better understanding of culture, useful skills and MFL examinations than you do.

You don't actually learn much culture from a language GCSE though. They being tricked and sop are employers into thinking that you learn a high level of language skills from GCSE and you will be able to use them when you are older and employers will be furious to realise that you can't actually have a talk,interpret or do anything in a language they need you to do for business with other countries.A lot of people on here have said that GCSE languages aren't good preparation for the international baccalaureate,which a lot of people are taking instead of A-Levels and basically the course is very bad and should be welded away from pure memory,in which anyone could pick up a sheet of written french and learn it and get a good mark without really even learning any french because you don't even need to know what the written work even says.

[Gales]

(Original post by Dalek1099)
You don't actually learn much culture from a language GCSE though. They being tricked and sop are employers into thinking that you learn a high level of language skills from GCSE and you will be able to use them when you are older and employers will be furious to realise that you can't actually have a talk,interpret or do anything in a language they need you to do for business with other countries.A lot of people on here have said that GCSE languages aren't good preparation for the international baccalaureate,which a lot of people are taking instead of A-Levels and basically the course is very bad and should be welded away from pure memory,in which anyone could pick up a sheet of written french and learn it and get a good mark without really even learning any french because you don't even need to know what the written work even says.

Lol, they want a GCSE in a language now stfu you annoying cretin

[Sophocrates]

(Original post by Dalek1099)
You don't actually learn much culture from a language GCSE though. They being tricked and sop are employers into thinking that you learn a high level of language skills from GCSE and you will be able to use them when you are older and employers will be furious to realise that you can't actually have a talk,interpret or do anything in a language they need you to do for business with other countries.A lot of people on here have said that GCSE languages aren't good preparation for the international baccalaureate,which a lot of people are taking instead of A-Levels and basically the course is very bad and should be welded away from pure memory,in which anyone could pick up a sheet of written french and learn it and get a good mark without really even learning any french because you don't even need to know what the written work even says.

Please just cease your nonsense, now. I'm not interested in debating this with you anymore.

[anon1212]

I don't think GCSEs are so important, but what is important is that you do very well in your AS Levells!

[roh]

(Original post by Dalek1099)
You don't actually learn much culture from a language GCSE though. They being tricked and sop are employers into thinking that you learn a high level of language skills from GCSE and you will be able to use them when you are older and employers will be furious to realise that you can't actually have a talk,interpret or do anything in a language they need you to do for business with other countries.A lot of people on here have said that GCSE languages aren't good preparation for the international baccalaureate,which a lot of people are taking instead of A-Levels and basically the course is very bad and should be welded away from pure memory,in which anyone could pick up a sheet of written french and learn it and get a good mark without really even learning any french because you don't even need to know what the written work even says.

GCSE langs are pretty poor prep for A Level langs not just IB.

However, you certainly pick up a damn sight more at GCSE than you would by not doing it. If you want to go to a franco/hispano/germanophone country in order to improve beyond GCSE, having quit at Year 9, in a gap year then fair play, but otherwise you have to say GCSE languages teach you aspects of a language you wouldn't otherwise learn.