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European and Middle Eastern Language courses, Oxford University

Did anyone else find on interview for this joint honours degree that most candidates could already speak the Middle Eastern language they were applying for, e.g. French/Spanish/German and Arabic although the course stipulates that the Middle Eastern language is taught ab initio?
Or is it that other candidates could speak a dialect of Arabic and not Modern Standard Arabic? Otherwise, it seems a waste of time for any true ab initio candidates to apply as the ones who have received an offer already speak MSA or an Arabic dialect. Is the course prescribed wrongly?

Reply 1

Julia Flyte

Thanks, that's helpful. My friend had an immediate offer from Durham for the same course - no interview. At her Oxford college interview, seven students went for one place - all were of ME descent except her and all outstanding academically. As you say, the dept is too small to cope.