I first started learning languages from the age of four. Since then, languages have increasingly become the focus of my education. Being encouraged to purchase baguettes from the local boulangerie formed the basis of my early family holidays to France and Spain. Though a simple task it sparked my love of languages. Studying French A level has increased my enjoyment of the subject further. Combining this with History and Geography has offered me the opportunity to appreciate the roots of other societies and cultures. This has given me the inspiration to study French and ab initio Spanish at university.
Out of the classroom, I enjoy reading French novels such as Le Tour du Monde en quatre-vingts jours and Therese Raquin. I find it fascinating that these two novels were written at a similar time, yet focused on a variety of themes, from the British aristocratic society at the turn of the 20th Century, to the gritty naturalism of a woman trapped in Parisian suburbia. Furthermore, I enjoy reading short stories by Honore de Balzac, such as Sarrasine, where I can explore the origins of French realism and Balzac's influence upon writers like Zola. As I like to explore alternative avenues of study, researching French cinema from La Nouvelle Vague to more contemporary French film for the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), has enabled me to carry out independent research. This has been achieved by studying different historic perspectives of European cinema, and investigating how factors such as the Second World War affected approaches to continental film. I found it fascinating to compare and contrast films from Chatiliez and Almodovar, as they cover similar themes such as family and everyday life. However, they both have varying interpretations, perhaps influenced by their different nationalities and childhood experiences. Researching for the EPQ has also improved my knowledge of the Spanish language and culture in a creative way, and I look forward to developing this at university.
Attending a university master-class on languages has also given me an insight to the way languages are taught at degree level. This has further inspired me to develop my language skills at this level. A college trip to Morocco in November will grant me the rare chance to experience the influence of French culture upon Islamic society. In addition, it will be interesting to comprehend the socio-economic relations between Spain and North African countries. Having achieved 95% in my AS French Oral, I believe I have the confidence to speak to the locals and learn more about a dialect that I have never encountered before. The trip will also be incredibly insightful with regard to the impacts of previous French colonialism. This will give me a solid foundation for the year abroad during my degree.
Outside my academic studies I enjoy playing volleyball and rugby for the college 1st XV, which affords me a balance between studies and exercise. At weekends, I work at Twinlakes Park and here I have improved my public communication skills by developing professional responses to a wide variety of customers. These skills have also been strengthened by voluntary work for Relate Leicestershire, the counselling organisation. My role involved assisting the organisation's marketing strategy by creating a social networking site. Having held responsibilities such as Rugby Captain and Corporal in the Air Cadets, I have improved my leadership skills by keeping calm and maintaining a confident manner when dealing with challenging situations. After working towards my degree I hope to work in government, using my language skills on an everyday basis. I believe that a degree in modern languages will help me achieve this goal and provide me the skills necessary to take my ambitions forward
Universities Applied to:
- University Of Nottingham (French and Beginners Spanish) - Offer (AAB A in French) Firm - Accepted
Grades Achieved:
- French (A2) - A
- History (A2) -A
- Geography (A2) - A
- EPQ - A*
- Economics (AS) B