Personal Statement:French, German and Beginner Russian

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French, German and Beginner Russian Personal Statement

It is undeniable that languages are a means of communication; however they also enable us to develop a better understanding of art and culture. France Germany and Russia have made vital contributions to European culture; particularly in art, music, literature and history. It is for this reason that I wish to study a languages degree; to fully grasp language, and use this skill to enrich my understanding.

Conversation is arguably the most important aspect of a language and it is also one of the aspects I enjoy the most. I have particularly enjoyed conversing with the language assistants. I have been fortunate enough to visit France and Germany many times, both as family holidays but also with school. In 2007 I took part in an exchange during which I stayed in a small Bavarian town. This opportunity enabled me to converse with native speakers and I also gained firsthand experience of German culture. I will be taking part in the exchange again in October when I will gain some work experience – hopefully in Die Grundschule. The exchange increased my confidence in speaking and I hope to improve this further in October. Currently I assist in a year eight French class once a week. Through this, I have been able to converse with and assist a boy who is a native speaker. These experiences have not only been fun and rewarding but have also improved my confidence and furthered my zeal for languages.

Both through my own interests and the content covered in my AS level courses, I have had the opportunity to discover more of French and German culture; my studies in school also sparked my interest in Russian. A particular hobby of mine is reading, and it has inspired me to read books in both French and German, as it is an aspect of the course which I am particularly looking forward to studying. I found Voltaire’s Candide both interesting and amusing, and it has led me to discover and enjoy some of Voltaire’s poetry. I have also read Goethe’s Die Leiden des jungen Werther, whilst reading the English translation alongside it. Studying English Literature at AS level has taught me how to read analytically and thoroughly – a skill which helped me to understand these challenging novels.

Through my study of history at both GCSE and AS level, I have also developed an interest in German history; particularly the Weimar Republic. This is another aspect which I am greatly looking forward to studying as part of a languages degree, as I will be able to develop greater understanding of the history by studying it in its original language. GCSE history was also the first time I learnt anything about Russian history and culture, and it intrigued me greatly. The Russian language particularly appealed to me because of the Cyrillic alphabet. I am a person who thrives on challenges, and so the idea of learning a new alphabet is particularly exciting. A Russian taster session in July not only convinced me that it was a subject I wanted to study, but also inspired me to teach myself the written alphabet.

My love of a challenge is reflected in my hobbies and free time activities. I am an active member of the Girls Friendly Society. I currently take a leadership role within this group, and participate in many fundraising events; as part of this role, I recently helped to organise and run a children’s club at church. Music also plays a large role in my free time. I play the saxophone, and currently I am working towards my Grade 5 certificate. With this instrument, I frequently play with a church band and help lead services. As part of my school enrichment I was also part of a singing group; we performed in several assemblies and school concerts. I intend to continue my instrument at university, and I also hope to get involved with volunteer work; particularly with young children.

Universities Applied to:

• Durham - Offer (St Chad's)

Grades Achieved:

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