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Cambridge Interview- French and Italian

Ok, I've got an interview on the 3/12/07 and with 1A and 3bs at AS- I'm going to have to pull off a miracle at the interview.

Anyone got any ideas?

How long do the interviews last? And what this brief discussion. What should I expect?

If anyone could give me some advice on the above and general advice- that would be great!!

Reply 1

jonnythemoose

15

I would give you advice, but I'm in a similar boat. I'd say organising a mock interview is a good idea, if possible. A teacher at my school gave me one (a mock interview, that is), and it really opened my eyes. Not only did he suggest lots of questions I hadn't thought of, but the ones I thought I would answer well...I didn't. :redface:

Reply 2

54201

OP

I would give you advice, but I'm in a similar boat.

Sorry your refusing to give me advice because your appyling to Cambridge or have I read that wrong?

I will try to get a mock interview organised in the coming weeks.

Reply 3

Epitomessence

12

OK, I'm not applying for languages or anything, but here's what I'd do if I were:

- read up on Italy, make sure you're able to talk about why you want to study Italian. Maybe some Italian art and films. (Films I can *definitely* help you with :smile:

)
- Get your French up to scratch, esp. those subjunctives. Work on the accent, you may have to talk at the Interview.
- Try and find out any pieces of history that have involved both countries. That'd be an interesting discussion point.

Hope that helps!

Oh, and Italian films. Defintely see Cinema Paradiso, it's one of my faves. Bicycle Thieves, Follie per l'Opera, Il Conformista, La dolce vita are all brilliant too.

Anything else, just ask mate. :biggrin:

Reply 4

54201

OP

Exactly the advice I was looking for. Thanks Epitomessence.

I will have a look at those films. Off the top of your head, can you think of any piece of history that includes both Italy and France if you get what I mean.

Reply 5

MC REN

14

diamondgeezer

Sorry your refusing to give me advice because your appyling to Cambridge or have I read that wrong?

I will try to get a mock interview organised in the coming weeks.

He is saying he would give you advice but he isn't really qualified to, since he doesn't know himself what with him being in the same situation

Reply 6

city_chic

13

Off topic, but how does Spain relate to France? :p:

Reply 7

jonnythemoose

15

MC REN

He is saying he would give you advice but he isn't really qualified to, since he doesn't know himself what with him being in the same situation

Yes I was, thank-you. :smile:

Anyway, I went on to give some advice...I just needed to make sure it was known that I probably don't really know what I'm on about.

Reply 8

54201

OP

What questions should I be prepared for?

Reply 9

jonnythemoose

15

"Why French and Italian?"

"The French are renowned for having many different types of cheese. What type of cheese do you think the moon is made of, and how do you think this reflects the cultural and social history of France, specifically Normany?"

Reply 10

Duck and Cover

15

Actually, joke as you will :p:

but that's not far off from the level off absurdity of one of mine!!

Don't worry about what q's they'll ask, just rest assured that whatever they as you is for a reason and just try to answer them as best you can on the day! :smile:

Reply 11

MrsSunshine

My grades are like yours, my interview is on the 4th. I'm just going to be myself and try to relax. I'm sure if you care enough about your subject they'll be impressed!

Reply 12

nataliesophia

I will have a look at those films. Off the top of your head, can you think of any piece of history that includes both Italy and France if you get what I mean.

This is the sort of thing you need to suss out yourself! If you get into Cambridge you will be expected to think for yourself and on your feet. I'm not sure how helpful it is to tell you what to "expect", simply because it changes from interviewer to interviewer, from college to college, from applicant to applicant. Be ready to answer the obvious things - why do you want to study the languages? What has encouraged your interest in them? Why do you want to be at that college? Otherwise it is pretty much totally random and designed to show how you think on your feet (as I said). All the posts I see on here with people trying to prepare each other is obviously well-intentioned but in large part pointless, just because the interview is not supposed to be predictable, and if you're overprepared then go in and get hit with a question you've never thought of (more than likely!) you could just crumble. Be mentally ready for anything and everything, don't rely on answers you've thought through before.

My two cents!

Reply 13

54201

OP

I had my interview yesterday- went ok got a bit grilled from the Italian fellows.

Reply 14

city_chic

13

diamondgeezer

I had my interview yesterday- went ok got a bit grilled from the Italian fellows.

Grilled? How exactly? :redface:

My interview's on Thursday; arghh. I am MAJORLY panicking at practically knowing no Spanish whatsoever; how can I understand a Spanish text/have a conversation in Spanish?? :frown:

Reply 15

papillon22

city_chic- don't worry, the spanish lecturers are so nice and encouraging
i don't know what i'm allowed to say really except i wouldn't worry too much. i'm ab initio too and it wasn't that bad :smile:

Reply 16

city_chic

13

papillon22

city_chic- don't worry, the spanish lecturers are so nice and encouraging
i don't know what i'm allowed to say really except i wouldn't worry too much. i'm ab initio too and it wasn't that bad :smile:

Okay, thanks. Did you apply for Spanish ab initio (along with French also)?

Can I ask what level of Spanish you were up to before the interview? Like only knowing the simple 'My name is/I live...' or at a much higher level than that? Please put me at ease... lol.

Which college did you apply to?

Reply 17

papillon22

ab initio yeah, but with German.

I've been doing an evening class for a bit, but I only know a little bit, like what you said and restaurant and hotel vocab, that sort of thing- nothing useful!
They don't expect anything of you.

I applied to Clare. :smile:

I hope thats helped, and don't worry!