HELP - URGENT ! Languages students and applicants !
Hey fellow linguists, I hope I caught your attention!
As some of you may know, I started a thread about how to choose your language degree, that you can read here. However, this thread is not finished and it needs your help! If you are an applicant, a first year or even done with your languages studies, then don't hesitate to share here your experience and advice you could give to any prospective applicant! I know my post is very long, but I would really appreciate if you could take some of your time to reply to my questions! These questions will help building my post From application to graduation
Questions for applicants
- How did you choose your degree and uni?
- What did you feel was important to include in your PS?
- How could you make a weak PS stronger? (for people who didn't have the chance to go abroad or else and can't include such experiences)
- What were you expecting during the interview?
- How did you prepare efficiently for it?
- Did you make any "mistakes" and do you have any advice to avoid them?
- Any tips to make an interview successful?
- How to cope with stress before results day?
- What happened after you had your results?
- Any advice to have a good results day?
For those in first, second/third and fourth year students:
- Your feelings toward uni the first day?
- What did you think of your course at the beginning?
- What did you think of your first year, what did you do, etc?
- If you got great grades, how do you think you got them?
- Any particular advice on how to work efficiently at uni?
- How can you improve a language outside of your lessons?
- Did you do anything related to your degree that wasn't academic?
- Anything to help improving your CV while at uni and related to languages?
- What can you do during holidays that would improve your languages?
For second/third and fourth year students:
- What do you think changed during your second/third year?
- Is it more demanding, how do you cope with it?
For those in their year abroad and fourth year students:
- Why do you think it's important to have a year abroad?
- How did you plan it, what choices did you have to do, etc?
- How did you fund it and budget it, any tips to share to save money?
- Some students are a bit scared by it, any tips to be more reassured?
- If you think you did (or didn't) make the most of it, what did/would you do during this time? (partying, working, etc)
For fourth year students and those who already graduated:
- What makes this last year so special?
- What has changed since 1st and 2nd/3rd year?
- How to cope well with the last year?
- How to prepare well for exams?
- How to cope with stress?
- Results day, what happens?
- Graduation day, tell us more about your experience!
Thank you very much for taking some times to help future languages students!
Re: HELP - URGENT ! Languages students and applicants !
Originally Posted by Anatheme
Hey fellow linguists, I hope I caught your attention!
As some of you may know, I started a thread about how to choose your language degree, that you can read here. However, this thread is not finished and it needs your help! If you are an applicant, a first year or even done with your languages studies, then don't hesitate to share here your experience and advice you could give to any prospective applicant! I know my post is very long, but I would really appreciate if you could take some of your time to reply to my questions! These questions will help building my post From application to graduation
Questions for applicants
- How did you choose your degree and uni?
- What did you feel was important to include in your PS?
- How could you make a weak PS stronger? (for people who didn't have the chance to go abroad or else and can't include such experiences)
- What were you expecting during the interview?
- How did you prepare efficiently for it?
- Did you make any "mistakes" and do you have any advice to avoid them?
- Any tips to make an interview successful?
- How to cope with stress before results day?
- What happened after you had your results?
- Any advice to have a good results day?
For those in first, second/third and fourth year students:
- Your feelings toward uni the first day? Very positive. I felt rather enthusiastic, and was looking forward to the rest of the course. Quite nervous, but I was better prepared then most because my french A level was taught in French.
- What did you think of your course at the beginning? It was interesting and I felt like I was learning a lot. Some parts seemed a little pointless though.
- What did you think of your first year, what did you do, etc? I gradually started feeling quite cynical of it all, and I didn't really profit much from the first year. I got myu work done, but didn't really feel very interested by the end.
- If you got great grades, how do you think you got them? I didn't get particularly good grades to be honest.
- Any particular advice on how to work efficiently at uni? Focus on your work And read. lots of books.
- How can you improve a language outside of your lessons? practise a lot, I guess.
- Did you do anything related to your degree that wasn't academic? Not really, no.
- Anything to help improving your CV while at uni and related to languages? Pass.
- What can you do during holidays that would improve your languages?
Work in the country I suppose, but that really isn't so easy for most people. For second/third and fourth year students:
- What do you think changed during your second/third year? Not all that much really. Simar lessons but less language focus.
- Is it more demanding, how do you cope with it? I'd say the difficulty level was abo_ut the same really :/ For those in their year abroad and fourth year students:
- Why do you think it's important to have a year abroad?
I can't really answer this, though it's obviously important to practise your language.
- How did you plan it, what choices did you have to do, etc?
- How did you fund it and budget it, any tips to share to save money?
- Some students are a bit scared by it, any tips to be more reassured?
- If you think you did (or didn't) make the most of it, what did/would you do during this time? (partying, working, etc)
For fourth year students and those who already graduated:
- What makes this last year so special? It's similar to first and second years really.
- What has changed since 1st and 2nd/3rd year? Fewer classes, and much less language stuff. More stress with applications etc.
- How to cope well with the last year? Same as ever - focus on work and done't let yourself fall behind with anything.
- How to prepare well for exams? Wish I knew...
- How to cope with stress? Don't do too much woàek immediately before, it makes you feel like you know nothing.
- Results day, what happens?
- Graduation day, tell us more about your experience!
Thank you very much for taking some times to help future languages students!
Re: HELP - URGENT ! Languages students and applicants !
For fourth year students and those who already graduated:
- What makes this last year so special?
For me, what made 4th year so special was the fact that i was able to really pull together everything i'd learnt over the previous 3 years and really love my degree. Everything clicked for me academically in 4th year.
- What has changed since 1st and 2nd/3rd year?
You will have fewer friends I became much closer to the people on my course in 4th year because most people who you started uni with in 1st year have already graduated.
You have a closer relationship with your lecturers and tutors.
I was Student-Staff committee rep for Italian in my 4th year and 4th years care a LOT more about their degree than 2nd and 1st years. - i always had pages and pages of questions and complaints and the other reps talked for about 5mins. Lol.
- How to cope well with the last year?
My way of coping with the fact that most of my best friends had left was to throw myself into my studies and my societies so I never sat there feeling sorry for myself because i made sure i always had something to do! Also, chatting with my tutors if i had problems with work or wanted to discuss an essay was very useful
- How to prepare well for exams?
Revise with a friend at the beginning.
Question spot!
PRACTISE.
- How to cope with stress?
Exercise - during exams I went for a jog every day
Have something you can do that isn't work, don't sacrifice any of your activities unless it's the night before a deadline and you haven't started
- Results day, what happens?
Well at Durham ours were published online so we all sat in our rooms refreshing the pass list to see what we got. It was nervewracking and then a massive relief and joy to see I got the result I wanted. I drak a whole bottle of champagne to myself that day
Howver, what was hard when some friends didn't acheive what they'd hoped and it was hard because i was so chuffed and they were gutted.
- Graduation day, tell us more about your experience!
Oh it was wonderful! Annoying that the gowns were expensive to rent, but it was a fun day actually and I got to shake Bill Bryson's hand and I felt proud of myself
Re: HELP - URGENT ! Languages students and applicants !
Originally Posted by Anatheme
Hey fellow linguists, I hope I caught your attention!
As some of you may know, I started a thread about how to choose your language degree, that you can read here. However, this thread is not finished and it needs your help! If you are an applicant, a first year or even done with your languages studies, then don't hesitate to share here your experience and advice you could give to any prospective applicant! I know my post is very long, but I would really appreciate if you could take some of your time to reply to my questions! These questions will help building my post From application to graduation
Questions for applicants
- How did you choose your degree and uni? I read lots of prospectuses and went on a few open days.
- What did you feel was important to include in your PS? My love of languages of course! How I'd used languages so far in my life, and what I hope to do with them in the future.
- How could you make a weak PS stronger? (for people who didn't have the chance to go abroad or else and can't include such experiences) Emphasise why you think languages are important in the world today. Focus on why you want to do a languages degree.
- What were you expecting during the interview? Questions about why I want to study languages, why languages are still important etc..
- How did you prepare efficiently for it? I didn't really. There's not much preparation you can do for a university interview in my opinion. Perhaps this is why I didn't get into Cambridge
- Did you make any "mistakes" and do you have any advice to avoid them? I made loads of mistakes when talking in French and German in the interview because I was nervous. Best thing is to try and stay calm.
- Any tips to make an interview successful? Be yourself.
- How to cope with stress before results day? Stay active and do things which take your mind off it
- What happened after you had your results? I went to the pub and got drunk
- Any advice to have a good results day? Depends on if you get the results you need I suppose....
For those in first, second/third and fourth year students:
- Your feelings toward uni the first day? Nervous, nervous, nervous!! But feeling much better after I'd been there for a few hours and met some new people.
- What did you think of your course at the beginning? Hectic - so much to organise, so many meetings to go to, so many people to see.
- What did you think of your first year, what did you do, etc? I thought it was brilliant. Met loads of new people, had fun, and learned some new things.
- If you got great grades, how do you think you got them? Didn't skip too many classes, concentrated in lectures and revised for exams (even though they don't count in first year).
- Any particular advice on how to work efficiently at uni? It's all about organising your time. Don't leave things until the last minute.
- How can you improve a language outside of your lessons? Read books, read newspapers, watch the news online
- Did you do anything related to your degree that wasn't academic? Yep, I volunteered in a local primary school and helped a young German girl with her English
- Anything to help improving your CV while at uni and related to languages? As above, volunteering. Your Year Abroad will be the best thing for your CV though.
- What can you do during holidays that would improve your languages? Continue reading and watching things in the languages you're studying. Maybe do some work experience in a foreign country.
For second/third and fourth year students:
- What do you think changed during your second/third year? Essays got longer, more research and work needed.
- Is it more demanding, how do you cope with it? Yep it's more demanding. But it's not too difficult to cope with.
For those in their year abroad and fourth year students:
- Why do you think it's important to have a year abroad? Nothing is better for learning a language than being immersed in it every day.
- How did you plan it, what choices did you have to do, etc? Started planning it in October of 2nd Year. Could choose between ERASMUS (studying at university or teaching English) or work placement.
- How did you fund it and budget it, any tips to share to save money? Didn't really need much planning. Money was the easiest part of it actually. If you study at a university you get a grant, if you work in a school you get paid. Simple Also, at my university if you do ERASMUS for the whole year you don't have to pay any fees. Plus I still got my normal student loan.
- Some students are a bit scared by it, any tips to be more reassured? It's scary but it's fun
- If you think you did (or didn't) make the most of it, what did/would you do during this time? (partying, working, etc) Made new friends, went travelling, spoke my languages as much as possible.
For fourth year students and those who already graduated:
- What makes this last year so special? It's your last year at uni! You have to make the most out of it!
- What has changed since 1st and 2nd/3rd year? Everyone's got much better at their languages. Everyone is more cultured after their YA. Everyone is pleased to be back at uni in England
- How to cope well with the last year? Organisation! Manage your time well.
- How to prepare well for exams? Revise I guess. Not much to say about this one.
- How to cope with stress? As above, don't leave everything until the last minute. Plan for things months in advance if necessary.
- Results day, what happens?
- Graduation day, tell us more about your experience! Will tell you in a few months
Thank you very much for taking some times to help future languages students!
Re: HELP - URGENT ! Languages students and applicants !
For those in first, second/third and fourth year students:
- Your feelings toward uni the first day?
I was amazed and scared as to what they expected of us to be able to do by the end of the first year - GCSE doesn't prepare you (I'd taken GCSE Japanese already). And I was nervous because I didn't really know anyone that well, but as soon as I met a few people and the teachers, I started to feel really excited about the whole thing and actually couldn't wait to start my course.
- What did you think of your course at the beginning?
At first, I didn't think it was too hard, I'd already covered the most basic stuff at GCSE, but the number of hours of lectures each week - 10 language contact hours - meant that everything was much more developed and I really felt like I was beginning to understand the language better.
- What did you think of your first year, what did you do, etc?
It's been great so far! I've loved meeting new people and making some close friends and I've been getting a buzz from realising the amount of stuff we've covered already (starting the second textbook this week, which is slightly scary!)
- If you got great grades, how do you think you got them?
Well, I haven't taken any uni exams yet - just a lot of mini tests, with fluctuating grades. Revision and plenty of it seems to be the key so far, not that my grades have been amazing xD
- Any particular advice on how to work efficiently at uni?
Get the work in on time and make sure you do all of the exercises that are set. They may seem repetetive at times, but it helps to drum in new grammar points and vocab. Try not to skip too many lectures/classes either.
- How can you improve a language outside of your lessons?
Group revision - you can practice speaking skills with your friends (in Japanese, it's a good way to practice the plain form seeing as you can't use it towards your teachers). I listen to a lot of Japanese music and watch Japanese tv shows, to see if I can pick up new words or practice structures. Try talking to native speakers of the language too - even if you don't understand everything they say, you can practice yourself and they can help correct you.
- Did you do anything related to your degree that wasn't academic?
Not yet, although at secondary school I helped out with the Japanese
exchange students sometimes, practicing my language and stuff.
- Anything to help improving your CV while at uni and related to languages?
Not at uni, but I did do a couple of weeks work experience at Lloyds Japan (insurance) at the end of year 12, shadowing an employee who had flown over from Tokyo. I want to do some stuff during the summer.
- What can you do during holidays that would improve your languages?
If you can, get to the target country to practice. If this is impossible (eg. Japan being too expensive for me at the moment), get a penfriend from that country. Listen to music and read books etc in that language, to practice. Get together with your friends every so often to revise so that it's not so alien to you when you get back.
Re: HELP - URGENT ! Languages students and applicants !
For those in first, second/third and fourth year students:
- Your feelings toward uni the first day?
Loved the campus, and was just generally dazed
- What did you think of your course at the beginning?
Hated the language classes as the level was sub-GCE at the beginning
- What did you think of your first year, what did you do, etc?
Hated it and applied to transfer- but grew to love it in 2nd and 4th year
- If you got great grades, how do you think you got them?
Knowing the material
- Any particular advice on how to work efficiently at uni?
put a lock on facebook and TSR
- How can you improve a language outside of your lessons?
Watch TV/ listen to the radio/ use the language centre/ do a lang. exchange
- Did you do anything related to your degree that wasn't academic?
various societies and clubs
- Anything to help improving your CV while at uni and related to languages?
I taught Spanish for the City Council
- What can you do during holidays that would improve your languages?
Go to the target country
For second/third and fourth year students:
- What do you think changed during your second/third year?
On my third year my language level didn't improve but I had an amazing time and generally changed my whole ethos
- Is it more demanding, how do you cope with it?
4th year is a bit tougher, but to be honest I'm not under too much pressuse/stress
For those in their year abroad and fourth year students:
- Why do you think it's important to have a year abroad?
For most students, this is the time they supposedly improve their language skills (if you're already fluent then it's a great chance for fun ) also you just generally grow up/ have the opportunity to experience a new culture and enjoy yourself
- How did you plan it, what choices did you have to do, etc?
I was offered an assistanship with the British Council but turned it down - I taught Spanish in Shanghai for the 1st half and ERASMUSed in Barcelona for the 2nd - I applied for the job via the TES website and got the ERASMUS place through uni
- How did you fund it and budget it, any tips to share to save money?
Worked & ERASMUS grant. Most people use their overdraft - I would recommend working - it will improve your language skills infinitely
- Some students are a bit scared by it, any tips to be more reassured?
I flew from China to Barcelona by myself, booked a hostel, didn't have a place to live or any friends when I arrived, and I can genuinely say it was one of the best experiences and happiest times of my life. Relax. I have yet to hear of someone who hated their year abroad.
- If you think you did (or didn't) make the most of it, what did/would you do during this time? (partying, working, etc)
I worked hard, partied very hard.
... it's helpful to hear about other's experiences but the best preparation is just courage, ambition and openness to new experiences...
Re: HELP - URGENT ! Languages students and applicants !
Originally Posted by Anatheme
Hey fellow linguists, I hope I caught your attention!
As some of you may know, I started a thread about how to choose your language degree, that you can read here. However, this thread is not finished and it needs your help! If you are an applicant, a first year or even done with your languages studies, then don't hesitate to share here your experience and advice you could give to any prospective applicant! I know my post is very long, but I would really appreciate if you could take some of your time to reply to my questions! These questions will help building my post From application to graduation
Questions for applicants
- How did you choose your degree and uni?
My teachers encouraged me to apply to Oxford, I was quickly swayed by the idea. As for choosing my degree in Russian & French, it was just what I'd always wanted to do; I simply didn't see an alternative and never even considered anything else.
- What did you feel was important to include in your PS?
I felt it important to portray my love for languages and that I wasn't just another person applying for languages, I was someone whose academic side was simply obsessed by them.
- How could you make a weak PS stronger? (for people who didn't have the chance to go abroad or else and can't include such experiences)
I didn't have any such experiences and I don't think it hindered me in any way (I got offers from all five unis). I just chose to focus on why I was interested in what I apply for, what I'd done outside of the class to show that (watch French tv, listening to radio, reading the literature etc). It's also worth mentioning any prizes you might have won during your school time, no matter how insignificant they were, you can always make them sound more important than they were.
- What were you expecting during the interview?
To be grossly out of my depth and have horrible Oxford tutors grill me on something I knew little about. In reality, my tutor was very nice and interviews went rather pleasantly.
- How did you prepare efficiently for it?
I made sure that everything in my PS could be backed up by me. I made sure I knew each and every book I'd listed and could talk well about them. I did forget the author of some random linguistics book I'd read which can't have been very impressive but my tutor didn't seem to mind. They're still human, don't worry. I also revised my grammar a bit, mainly because I had a written test but had also heard of tutors asking things like 'when does sortir not take être as its auxiliary verb in the past tense?'
- Did you make any "mistakes" and do you have any advice to avoid them?
Mistakes are probably inevitable, tutors realise this. Don't go in there and anticipate that you have to be at 100% for them to realise your potential. My tutor asked me a question about how an adjective had been used in the text I had to analyse. I proffered my thoughts and he accepted these but clearly had something else in mind so kept probing and trying to make sure I got the answer he wanted. I didn't get there, but clearly, it didn't matter. There was also a time when I just said "I don't know" - this is fine too, but try and offer at least something sensible even if you know it's not right and don't overuse the line (once is fine, imo. Maybe twice, at a push).
- Any tips to make an interview successful?
Don't really like the question because I think there's no formula one can apply to interviews. The whole point of them is that tutors get to see you at first hand and make a decision based on that. Without wishing to dish out clichés, just be yourself and let your talent shine through.
- How to cope with stress before results day?
I'm not a naturally stressful person so I wasn't stressing out that much although I did keep wondering 'what if I don't get the results?' I think a wise thing to do is to plan for such events even if you don't want to tempt fate. Think clearly through what repercussions 'failure' would have and you'll probably see that it wouldn't be that bad in the grand scheme of things. Other than that for the sensible side of things, if you just want to take your mind off it do whatever pleases you. Maybe get a few friends round, get lots of food in and watch a few DVDs or something of that sort. Have a good night's rest if you can get to sleep because you don't want to be too groggy come the morning of results day.
- What happened after you had your results?
I got my results, was naturally pleased. And then I drove home to tell my family. They were too, of course, pleased.
- Any advice to have a good results day?
Get the results you want. There's no hiding behind the fact that it'll be a bad day for you otherwise, you'll just have to deal with it as best as possible. This is where the pre-planning comes in. For those in first, second/third and fourth year students:
- Your feelings toward uni the first day?
A bit apprehensive but I was made to feel very welcome by those at my College and soon settled in nicely.
- What did you think of your course at the beginning?
Very intense, lots of work. Wanted to drop Russian but was convinced to keep it (which I'll be doing until the end of the year). I soon got into a routine and figured out my working habits and I'm fine with it now for the most part
- What did you think of your first year, what did you do, etc?
I'm still in my first year but I find it good so far. The workload is a bit high at times which can be a bit of a negative side but I expected that anyway. Just walking around Oxford even to lessons and lectures I realise how lucky I am, so it's great.
- If you got great grades, how do you think you got them?
I haven't had any exams but I've had some graded work during the term. The firsts I got in translation/grammar work were probably just down to Marion, to be quite honest.
- Any particular advice on how to work efficiently at uni?
Yes. Set aside time to work and just bloody do it. It's a pain getting round to it but just such a weight off your shoulders when you do get round to it. Also, if you have niggly pieces of work that won't take too long just try and get it done the day you get it so it's forgotten about. I personally try to do translations/proses/grammar exercises a.s.a.p and prevaricate somewhat over essays/commentaries.
- How can you improve a language outside of your lessons?
Reading is a good way. If you're not a fan of literature, then just bookmark a few news sites and visit those every day. Any vocab you don't know, note it down and *learn* it. You won't pick up a language by magic, it involves learning vocabulary on a tedious scale. Try also to listen to radio online (Foreign radio )or watch TV (Foreign TV)
- Did you do anything related to your degree that wasn't academic?
- Anything to help improving your CV while at uni and related to languages?
- What can you do during holidays that would improve your languages?
It might not improve it but it'll make sure your level doesn't diminish and that you're not playing catch-up come the start of term. Just keep speaking the language even if it's just to yourself, read, watch TV, learn vocab, revise grammar. Try and visit the country if you can although this is by no means easy for everyone. For second/third and fourth year students:
- What do you think changed during your second/third year?
- Is it more demanding, how do you cope with it?
For those in their year abroad and fourth year students:
- Why do you think it's important to have a year abroad?
- How did you plan it, what choices did you have to do, etc?
- How did you fund it and budget it, any tips to share to save money?
- Some students are a bit scared by it, any tips to be more reassured?
- If you think you did (or didn't) make the most of it, what did/would you do during this time? (partying, working, etc)
For fourth year students and those who already graduated:
- What makes this last year so special?
- What has changed since 1st and 2nd/3rd year?
- How to cope well with the last year?
- How to prepare well for exams?
- How to cope with stress?
- Results day, what happens?
- Graduation day, tell us more about your experience!
Thank you very much for taking some times to help future languages students!
Re: HELP - URGENT ! Languages students and applicants !
Questions for applicants
- How did you choose your degree and uni?
Read prospectuses. Failed the grammar test at the Oxford interview, had a great interview at UCL, and the rest is history...
- What did you feel was important to include in your PS?
That I wasn't some thick **** who wanted to do French because 'it's a beautiful language'.
- How could you make a weak PS stronger?
I was told by all my interviewers that my PS was well-written and I included nothing about 'going abroad' etc. I think that's more of just a toff school thing than something all interviewers neccessarily look for... I wrote solely about my academic interests, books etc.
- What were you expecting during the interview?
Nothing much. I'd already interviewed for Oxford and King's so I was pretty relaxed.
- How did you prepare efficiently for it?
Reread my PS. What else can you do?
- Did you make any "mistakes" and do you
have any advice to avoid them?
Nobody mentioned any. I was told during the interview that I would be made an offer.
- Any tips to make an interview successful?
Yes, don't chat ****.
For those in first, second/third and fourth year students:
- Your feelings toward uni the first day?
It was really white. Not demographically, the actual building.
- What did you think of your course at the beginning?
****. Trouble with languages is that a lot of people are thick so first year involves a lot of remedial courses for people who were actually good at Literature/History at school.
- What did you think of your first year, what did you do, etc?
Went to bad places. Hung out, got drunk etc. Met lots of people but no language students; don't know if this is university specific but we don't tend to mix here.
- If you got great grades, how do you think you got them?
Just bright.
- Any particular advice on how to work efficiently at uni?
Never have.
- How can you improve a language outside of your lessons?
Just go to the country, everything else is hard and less efficient.
- Did you do anything related to your degree that wasn't academic?
Nope. I'm not sure what that would even hypothetically include.
- Anything to help improving your CV while at uni and related to languages? Nope. No interest in developping a CV for languages.
- What can you do during holidays that would improve your languages?
Not much apart from going to the country. Start the reading list for next term.
For second/third and fourth year students:
- What do you think changed during your second/third year?
Nothing.
- Is it more demanding, how do you cope with it?
No, it's the same old.
For those in their year abroad and fourth year students:
- Why do you think it's important to have a year abroad?
Only way to learn a language without bilingual parents etc. All other reasons are just personal and differ between people.
- How did you plan it, what choices did you have to do, etc?
Didn't. Signed up. Turned up to University in September. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. Getting a flatshare with natives obviously requires some more planning.
- How did you fund it and budget it, any tips to share to save money? Erasmus grant, student loan.
- Some students are a bit scared by it, any tips to be more reassured?
It's really quite easy.
- If you think you did (or didn't) make the most of it, what did/would you do during this time?
Ignore university advice and take proper third year courses, not **** put on for foreigners. Avoid corny Erasmus **** in social contexts too. However, do mix with Anglophones, you can't choose not to be friends with people just because they aren't helping you with your course.
Re: HELP - URGENT ! Languages students and applicants !
Questions for applicants
- How did you choose your degree and uni?
-Well I knew I wanted to study German, so I made a list of the universities that offered the course (quite a long list!)
-And then I got rid of the ones that matched my grades (I applied post-A Level). Then I got rid of the ones that were in locations in which I wouldn't want to live e.g. Nottingham, Birmingham, Leeds, etc.
-I then looked in the courses that offered a significant amount of literature and history.
-By then, I had five choices.
- What did you feel was important to include in your PS?
I felt it was important to include my experiences spent in Germany, as well as things that I felt made me stand out from other applicants (I worked as an interpreter in a hospital.)
- How could you make a weak PS stronger? (for people who didn't have the chance to go abroad or else and can't include such experiences)
I would suggest focusing on why you want to study you language(s). What inspired/motivated you? What book have you read? And why do you feel they were significant?
- What were you expecting during the interview?
I was expecting to be grilled on my personal statement, tested on my language ability and asked as to why I wanted to study at that particular university.
- How did you prepare efficiently for it?
I re-read the books I mentioned in my personal statement, looked over the university syllabus and I spent about a month prior to my interview in the Germany, so this gave me a chance to refresh my German.
- Did you make any "mistakes" and do you have any advice to avoid them?
Not really, if anything, I'd say that I over-thought things beforehand, which didn't help with nerves. I'd advise prospective applicants to relax (but not too much!)
- Any tips to make an interview successful?
-I'd suggest leaving well in advice, so as to avoid rushing.
-I'd also suggest eating a decent breakfast!
-Dress comfortably as well; if you don't feel comfortable in a suit, don't wear one! But dress smartly.
-Also, make sure you're prepared. There's nothing worse than an unsuccessful interview and knowing that it was your own fault for not preparing in advance.
-Also, be sure to ask plenty of questions. And lastly, treat every interview as if it were at Oxford or Cambridge, because it's better to have a place to turn down, then being rejected because you didn't take it seriously.
- How to cope with stress before results day?
Don't think about exams! Once they're done, they're done and there's nothing stressing can achieve! Just do things to take your mind off things and have an enjoyable summer!
- What happened after you had your results?
Well if you do well, celebrate! If you haven't, get yourself a copy of the Independent, a phone with a full battery and get calling the universities with your course in clearing. Or alternatively, consider a gap year in which you could travel and improve your language skills and do a few retakes. It's not the end of the world!
- Any advice to have a good results day?
Well, I suggest that you study for your exams, get the grades you need and hopefully, you'll have an enjoyable results day!
Re: HELP - URGENT ! Languages students and applicants !
- How did you choose your degree and uni?
I knew I wanted to do a languages degree since GCSE because it was just something that came naturally to me and I wanted to travel. I decided on Salford University because I wanted to stay at home for financial reasons and also I because I didn't feel ready to move out. The university also had the best course for me out of the ones in Greater Manchester, the facilities seemed very modern and the course was vocational and could be tailored to the individual with a wide range of modules. It is also a non-literary course.
- What did you feel was important to include in your PS?
I included my voluntary experience which included the Reading Partnership Scheme as I won an award for it and I visited a school for disabled children once a week to observe the lessons. At the time, I wanted to be a teacher.
- How could you make a weak PS stronger? (for people who didn't have the chance to go abroad or else and can't include such experiences)
There are things you can do quite quickly which add to a PS for example, foreign films or books you have read. Especially ones which suit the type of course you will be applying for. For example, if you are applying to a more traditional course which includes literature/history then try and read some literature but if you are applying for a more vocational course then maybe research interpreting/translating etc. Also, some public places such as museums or cinemas hold cultural events like the Cornerhouse and the Viva! Spanish film festival and the Instituto Cervantes. You could write about your visit in your PS.
- What were you expecting during the interview?
I applied to 3 unis and got one interview. I was expecting about a third of the interview in Spanish because I was told what to expect - applicants normally are. I was expecting it to be slightly more formal than it was. I turned up a week early but the interviewer took it in good humour and we went ahead anyway. He even invited my mum into the interview and I still got two offers!
- How did you prepare efficiently for it?
My careers advisor gave me an interview booklet with sample questions which I answered in Spanish and then did a role play with my Spanish assistant. I also picked out what to wear early and planned my route in advance so there wouldn't be any problems on the day.
- Did you make any "mistakes" and do you have any advice to avoid them?
Try and turn up on the right day!!
- Any tips to make an interview successful?
Practice your interview in your chosen language and make sure you go over your PS and remember what you put since some interviewers use them to ask you questions. They are not just looking for academic knowledge but also that you are a confident, approachable person so act natural, if you're too formal it might give the wrong impression.
- How to cope with stress before results day?
Have a plan laid out of what you're going to do if it doesn't go well. Then you won't panic and wonder what to do. My careers advisor was there on the day we got our results and I knew he would be. I talked to my parents about the possibility of resitting and accepted it wasn't the end of the world if I didn't get the grades.
- What happened after you had your results?
I had a good results day - I exceeded my predicted results and first told my teachers then me and my mum went to Nandos to celebrate.
- Any advice to have a good results day?
Go with someone who will support you no matter what happens, have a plan of what to do and do something before to take your mind off results and wear yourself out like the gym or shopping!
- Your feelings toward uni the first day?
I was very nervous because I'd been at the same school/sixth form for 7 years and I made my way by myself on the train. It seemed huge compared to my sixth form which was tiny and only had about 40 people in my year! The people were veyr helpful though and there were older students walking round giving out maps and directing freshers.
- What did you think of your course at the beginning?
I loved Spanish because I felt like it was at my level and I was well prepared having been the only Spanish student at my sixth form and having a native Spanish assistant. German was scary as I hadn't picked up a new language since GCSE and going back to 'my name is' and 'I live in..' was strange but we're all in the same boat.
- What did you think of your first year, what did you do, etc?
I'm enjoying my first year because I enjoy having native teachers and the lecturers and students are lovely. My range of modules is very big and I love the Languages Resources Centre. However, the workload is huge and on top, we have to do an independant project called DILL (Development in Language Learning) where we document all our independant work and update objectives etc which I don't like because it's hard to find the time to do. I don't have to do it in second year though.
- If you got great grades, how do you think you got them?
The grades I got the best in were the ones where I sat down, drew out a plan, transferred all my relevant knowledge from A-level, researched the area independantly and used my lecture notes down the last word. If you do what the lecturer has told you, you can't go much wrong but then your essay won't stand out which is why if you do independant research and put something in there everyone else hasn't, it stands out.
- Any particular advice on how to work efficiently at uni?
Be organised, do work as soon as possible, take advantage of the facilities and don't be afraid to e-mail lecturers for advice or use their office hours.
- How can you improve a language outside of your lessons?
Try and find ways that interest you personally and that happen outside of university and try and take some friends. For example, if you like foreign films go and see a foreign film at the cinema, if you like reading but are sick of all the lecture notes - get a book you'll enjoy in another language like Harry Potter and read it. Find ways to keep learning fun and keep in mind what you're aiming for like a certain job or classification.
- Did you do anything related to your degree that wasn't academic?
Not really.
- Anything to help improving your CV while at uni and related to languages?
Every Monday evening, I teach Spanish to adults at my old secondary school. I am also considering the Students Associates Scheme and for language students, there is always the Institute of Linguists. You can join for a fraction of the price as a languages student and get newsletters about language conferences and careers information.
- What can you do during holidays that would improve your languages?
Go over your uni notes, immerse yourself using films, music, newspapers etc. Even if you don't understand the spoken language you can get used to the speed and pronunciation or look up the words in a dictionary with a newspaper. Try and get to the country if you can or get some work experience at a relevant place.
Re: HELP - URGENT ! Languages students and applicants !
Questions for applicants
- How did you choose your degree and uni?
I always knew I wanted to study English, but as I got into college and learnt more about Russia in AS level history I realised I loved Russia and Russian, hence the joint Russian and English.
As for choosing my uni, only three in the UK offered the joint, so it was easy :p I applied for just English to the other two.
- What did you feel was important to include in your PS?
A love of other cultures and a desire to communicate. I felt I needed to show that I wanted to use Russian, not just have a somewhat unusual degree to show off, that the application came from a love of the language.
- How could you make a weak PS stronger? (for people who didn't have the chance to go abroad or else and can't include such experiences)
Well, I'm lucky enough to be travelling to Madagascar a month before uni so I didn't have to think about this. I suppose emphasising what you already do to involve yourself with the language, like penpals or signing up for local courses. It shows an enthusiasm.
- What were you expecting during the interview?
Didn't apply to Oxbridge, so didn't have one.
Re: HELP - URGENT ! Languages students and applicants !
What makes this last year so special?
Nothing, it is the worst year. Big come down after the year abroad.
What has changed since 1st and 2nd/3rd year?
Everything about the city (Sheffield). But it changes so much yearly anyway.
How to cope well with the last year?
Last year isn't stressful.
How to prepare well for exams?
The same as all the other years. Make the most of native speakers on your year abroad and have tandems.
How to cope with stress?
Go the doctors.
Results day, what happens?
There wasn't one.You just rang up the office for results.
Graduation day, tell us more about your experience
Waste of money. Just one last scam to get money out of poor students. I wouldn't ever go to one again (and I'm due to graduate again at the end of this academic year). Very boring. Very long. Sorry, did I say it was very expensive?
University course discussion for Foreign Languages.
Useful Resources:
HELP - URGENT ! Languages students and applicants !
And read. lots of books.
