[WillowSummers]

So, I'm taking French, Spanish and English Lit. at a level, and I was wondering how hard a language degree might be? I know they're respected, and I'm sure I'd have fun doing one (I have fun doing the A levels, although all my friends think I'm crazy for doing 2) but I was wondering (if it's possible to say) what level of difficulty it might be?

Also, if someone could tell me what there courses are like, that would also be helpful.

[Kennedy7697]

Diffucult, to say the least. Worth it if you can pull it off however.

[thesilvermagnolia]

I study Spanish and Portuguese at university. It is difficult. You have to put in a lot of extra hours in order to maintain and improve your language level. You will also do lots of other modules. For example, in my first year:

-Spanish language
-Portuguese language
-History and Politics
-Hispanic Literature
-Linguistics
-Applied Linguistics
-European politics

At the same time, it is really really great fun. The modules are all very varied There is a lot of background reading involved, and be prepared to have more exams than some non-language students! With orals etc it all adds up! My exams this year (first year) are:

-Spanish oral
-Portuguese oral
-Spanish aural
-Portuguese aural
-Spanish written
-Portuguese written
-History
-Politics
-Literature
-Linguistics
-Applied linguistics
-European politics
-International relations

You gain lots of new, valuable skills that you can put into practice in all areas

[WillowSummers]

(Original post by thesilvermagnolia)
I study Spanish and Portuguese at university. It is difficult. You have to put in a lot of extra hours in order to maintain and improve your language level. You will also do lots of other modules. For example, in my first year:

-Spanish language
-Portuguese language
-History and Politics
-Hispanic Literature
-Linguistics
-Applied Linguistics
-European politics

At the same time, it is really really great fun. The modules are all very varied There is a lot of background reading involved, and be prepared to have more exams than some non-language students! With orals etc it all adds up! My exams this year (first year) are:

-Spanish oral
-Portuguese oral
-Spanish aural
-Portuguese aural
-Spanish written
-Portuguese written
-History
-Politics
-Literature
-Linguistics
-Applied linguistics
-European politics
-International relations

You gain lots of new, valuable skills that you can put into practice in all areas

Wow, that's a lot of stuff. But it all seems so interesting!

What exactly is included in the language modules? And what's linguistics like?

[thesilvermagnolia]

(Original post by WillowSummers)
Wow, that's a lot of stuff. But it all seems so interesting!

What exactly is included in the language modules? And what's linguistics like?

The language modules are based upon a series of topics, like A level. This year we had IVF treatment, Euthanasia, Domestic Violence, Aids and HIV, World hunger etc. There is then grammar work, vocab, lots of translation work, essays and written practice.

Linguistics is very interesting, but at the same time very difficult. It took me a while to get into, as it was completely new to me. You look at the history, origins and formation of lots of different languages including German, Arabic, Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, Gaelic etc

[hannah_dru]

I found my degree hard work but not hard to the point where I thought I'd explode, put it that way.

[WillowSummers]

(Original post by hannah_dru)
I found my degree hard work but not hard to the point where I thought I'd explode, put it that way.

Ha, thanks.

[hannah_dru]

(Original post by WillowSummers)
Ha, thanks.

You're welcome Everyone told me by the time you get to final year you've overwhelmed and it's mental. Found it pretty manageable.

[a_certain_nobody]

Depends a lot on where you study. I quite liked the variety of my degree- literature, grammar, translation, speaking, going on a year abroad. With an English A-level you'd be well prepared for literature modules. I found my degree to be challenging but enjoyable- I don't think you can exactly rank all subjects in terms of difficulty but at my uni the modern linguists certainly went out a fair bit more than say, the chemists/physicists.

[superwolf]

I'm with hannah_dru here - I'd say that any degree you take should be challenging to you, but for me doing a language hasn't been insanely difficult. Personally the bits I struggle most with are those that are least language-related, like writing essays on history or some aspects of culture, but that's all down to your individual strengths and weaknesses. If you've got a decent talent for learning languages themselves and are prepared to put in a consistent amount of effort then you'll probably do fine (especially likely I'd say if you choose a language you've studied to some extent before - I chose Russian from scratch, which is more of a gamble of course, but fortunately for me paid off). And if you're planning on studying two but later find out that you dislike/perform badly in one of your languages, I know a number of people who've had little difficulty in transferring to single honours in their preferred language.

I would also like to put in a good word for the potential absolute awesomeness of your year abroad. My time in Russia was full of amazing people, weird discoveries, daily battles against the Russian elements and nocturnal grapplings with cheap beer and vodka, plus just all kinds of awesome memories and insights that you just don't get from not having lived abroad (plus in the case of a country like Russia it's a bit harder than your average place to just up and decide one day that you want to go and live there, since you require multiple documents, visas etc. so with such countries your uni will generally give you extra help and support).

If you do Spanish I'd strongly recommend thinking about Latin America for the year abroad - I lived in Chile for a year and it was wonderful. And there are so many other countries round those parts that sound fascinating - for me, so long as it's actually feasible for you, your year abroad is a great opportunity to get a really unique experience of living in some other distant culture, the kind of insight you'll be unlikely to get by casual tourism (although now I mention it, travelling during the holidays abroad is yet another reason in the whole thing's favour...).

[Soph(:]

I took exactly the same as you but dropped English lit haha! I'm going to do a degree in languages it's going to be hard and not an easy option but I think it will open doors especialy in England where fewer people are able to speak more than one language

[WillowSummers]

(Original post by Soph(:)
I took exactly the same as you but dropped English lit haha! I'm going to do a degree in languages it's going to be hard and not an easy option but I think it will open doors especialy in England where fewer people are able to speak more than one language

Subject twins! So, where you thinking of applying? I don't really have a clue. I'm not even sure which I might take, or both, or combine with English.

[Soph(:]

(Original post by WillowSummers)
Subject twins! So, where you thinking of applying? I don't really have a clue. I'm not even sure which I might take, or both, or combine with English.

Haha! I'm the only person in my whole year who took both Spanish and French everyone thinks I'm nuts. I've already applied im going to uni in September, Liverpool hopefully! It's up to you though I don't really think an English degree is that valued unless you go to a top top university.

[rainbow.panda]

(Original post by Soph(:)
Haha! I'm the only person in my whole year who took both Spanish and French everyone thinks I'm nuts. I've already applied im going to uni in September, Liverpool hopefully! It's up to you though I don't really think an English degree is that valued unless you go to a top top university.

I'm doing the same as you, Liverpool is my second choice I'm worried about how hard it's going to be, languages have always been something I could do but I HATE writing essays and doing oral exams. I'm not bothered with topics really, I'm more into the actual language side of it.

[Soph(:]

(Original post by rainbow.panda)
I'm doing the same as you, Liverpool is my second choice I'm worried about how hard it's going to be, languages have always been something I could do but I HATE writing essays and doing oral exams. I'm not bothered with topics really, I'm more into the actual language side of it.

Ah that;s cool what's your first choise?! If it's Birmingham that's so weird! Yeah I'm exactly the same I hate grammar the most and I don't mind oral in Spanish but hate it in French! I think it's just the lay out of the exam like that fact we only have 270 words for the essay :| Neither I way prefer just talking to people casualy then the writing etc

[LookIt'sPete]

How high level are language graduates usually? As in, I've met some who basically know nothing and probably couldn't hold together a proper conversation and others who are fairly fluent.

[rainbow.panda]

(Original post by Soph(:)
Ah that;s cool what's your first choise?! If it's Birmingham that's so weird! Yeah I'm exactly the same I hate grammar the most and I don't mind oral in Spanish but hate it in French! I think it's just the lay out of the exam like that fact we only have 270 words for the essay :| Neither I way prefer just talking to people casualy then the writing etc

Nah my first choice is Leicester haha I'm better at reading and writing but writing lengthy essays just makes me depressed! I'm pretty shy so oral exams are pure hell for me, but I'm thinking doing this degree will drag me out of my shell and make me more confident, that's part of the reason I'm doing it

[superwolf]

(Original post by LookIt'sPete)
How high level are language graduates usually? As in, I've met some who basically know nothing and probably couldn't hold together a proper conversation and others who are fairly fluent.

Lots of variables for that one - amount of effort put in of course, language chosen (some languages are accepted to be easier or harder to learn as a general rule, e.g. Spanish is one of the easier ones, whereas Polish might be a fair bit more of a challenge, plus if you've learnt a similar language before you may well find that an advantage), what level you started at to begin with, natural aptitude, length of time spent in the country on your year abroad (some people studying 2+ languages split their time between the countries really unevenly, or just aren't able to spend the time that they need in a particular country), quality of teaching at your uni...

Most people should leave their language degree at least proficient, be able to socialise and hold moderate to very complex conversations in the language. Absolute fluency, if you can decide on a definition of that, is of course a very difficult goal to attain, and for the vast majority of people isn't a realistic goal after only four or so years of study. As to what actual level you leave uni at, save for extreme circumstances seriously affecting your studies, for the most part it's really in very large part up to the student what level they leave at. People do have very differing work ethics, and that shows a lot in a degree where there's an awful lot of personal effort needed to really get a good grasp of the subject.

[Soph(:]

(Original post by rainbow.panda)
Nah my first choice is Leicester haha I'm better at reading and writing but writing lengthy essays just makes me depressed! I'm pretty shy so oral exams are pure hell for me, but I'm thinking doing this degree will drag me out of my shell and make me more confident, that's part of the reason I'm doing it

Oh ok Yeah I prefered the reading and listening I really don't mind talking orally but as soon as it's under exam conditions there's just so much more presure! Yeah I'm sure it will

[13treasures]

(Original post by thesilvermagnolia)
I study Spanish and Portuguese at university.

Where are you studying because this course sounds amazing!!!

I'm really struggling to get the grades i need because my teachers don't seem to know what they're doing!! AHHH!!! I just hope my exam went well and the universities give me a chance because i know i can get an A next year, just things didn't go so well this year