Oxbridge Linguists

Sorry to hijack the thread but I'm considering applying for joint honours post A-level French and ab-initio Spanish at Cambridge next year and I was wondering if you kind people would answer a few questions for me

1) How much preparation did you do for your interview(s) and what sort of things did you do? For the post A-level language, do you have to read texts in the foreign language? For the ab-initio language, do you just have to read texts in translation? Do you have to do anything non-literature based, like the culture of the countries? For the post A-level language, do you have to do a grammar test/send in marked work? Do you have to do anything else for the ab-initio language?

2) How are the interviews structured? I've heard that the interviews are held on just one day, as opposed to spreading them out over 3 days, like they do at Oxford. How many do you have and how long do they last? What sort of questions are you asked?

3) How much do extra-curricular activities matter? I'm not interested in music or sport, I'm not a prefect or Head Girl, I don't do Duke of Edinburgh or voluntary work, and I'm unlikely to find anything between now and the time I apply. The only thing I do outside of school is teach myself the basics of Spanish and Italian, which is still academic and directly related to my degree course! Also, I did AVCE ICT 2 years early, when I was doing my GCSEs, but I only got a D. It was 3 marks off a C, I had the same amount of lesson time as people doing GCSE/GNVQ, meaning I did most of my work independently, and I got Cs in both exams despite not having the time to do any theory. Do you think that would matter as it's such a low grade or would it be all right?

4) Are all the halls of residence at Cambridge catered? I like the fact that you can usually stay in college for the whole of your course if you want, as it will be a lot less hassle and probably cheaper than renting privately, but ideally I want to go self-catered as I'm really fussy. What's the food like? Is there much choice? I guess it would teach me to eat a bit more....

5) I know you can't work part-time as the course is so intense, and I wouldn't be able to cope with it even if it was allowed. I also know there are short terms and really long holidays in which you could work, but I'd want to go home during the holidays to see my family and there isn't that much part-time work where I live, especially as it would only be for a month or so before I went back to uni. I'm quite worried about the financial side, especially as I'll be hit with top-up fees

OK, end of questions! Thanks to anyone who replies.

Okay! Well, I applied for German and Modern Greek ab initio, and have since been rejected, but I'll still tell you all that I know, and where I think I went wrong...

1)Preparation. I meant to do much more than I did. I read a few books by Kazantzakis for Greek, and a concise history of the country (skipping bits of this along the way and not remembering very much at all). About half of my interview was discussing the lit and a little history. I think for an ab initio language it's fairly important to do this, and probably learn a little too. When I said I had learnt a little, he asked me basic things, like 'What's your name?', 'How old are you?', 'Where do you come from?', and he seemed quite impressed when I answered. For German, I'm more interested in the linguistic side, so I didn't read much (any) literature. I also couldn't find too much to actually read on the linguistic front, apart from on the internet and general linguistics stuff. I think this went against me. So, for your French, start reading books! Either in translation or the original, whatever you like. As long as you get the themes etc and can talk about them, I don't think you really have to read them in translation, although that's obviously a great way to get your language level up.

2) I had two interviews, which were meant to last around 30 mins each. I'm not sure how long they actually lasted, but I think my Greek one went over by 10 mins or so. They were on the one day, and this happens with most people.

3) I don't think extra-curriculars are that important for Oxbridge. Yeah, they want to see that you can balance your work and play, but it won't give you something over another candidate (at least, I don't think it should!). They're more interested in you academically.

4) Colleges are catered, and they like you to eat in hall as it fosters a friendly atmosphere, or something. It depends on your college – some have good cooking areas, some have very basic facilities. I think New Hall and Newnham have quite good areas, but don't quote me there. Food is usually edible, and there'll be a few different choices.

5) Cambridge is pretty good for your finance – that was, for me, one of the major benefits in comparison to KCL. You only pay for the time you're there, staying at college, and as the terms are short, this isn't as long as at other places. If your college is quite rich, your room might not cost very much at all either, and I think all over the colleges it's very reasonable. Perhaps not as cheap as Newcastle or somewhere, but still good. Your holidays are more like 2 months a time, so you might be able to find work. Don't be put off Cambridge because of financial things – they will help you if you're struggling too.)

Anyway, no doubt priya – an actual MML-er – will be along soon to tell you all from the inside! Also, look on oa.waveflex.com . Any other questions, you can just PM me (although if you want info from a 'reject' is debatable )

How are Cambridge's language courses taught? Are they taught IN Italian/in German completely? What textbook do you use for Italian?

its a good idea to learn a bit about the culture of the countries where french is spoken (and spanish for that matter!) cos u could get quizzed on that.

ok, here goes:

1) in terms of preparation, there's lots you can do. look over grammar and make sure thats spot on, its what i found most useful. read through your personal statement, try and work out any possible questions they may ask you from it (e.g if you put a very nice flowery statement in there about why languages are great etc, watch out- they make question it/ask u about it) i read a couple of german books (in translation!) with my german teacher, and we discussed them very generally. i think he tailored me more for the oxford interview though, cambridge aren't as bothered if ur not amazing at literature.
the interviews themselves just comprised of general questions about the languages/issues surrounding the countries they were spoken in. we also talked about some general ideas arising from the 2 pieces of work i had submitted- the essays were in german (AS work that i had had marked/corrected) and we discussed them in german. kind of like preparing for the A2 oral really, but with a native speaker talking to you!! i tried to read some foreign newspapers beforehand as well...its a good idea to learn a bit about the culture of the countries where french is spoken (and spanish for that matter!) cos u could get quizzed on that. i did a test which involved summarising a short passage of english into german. it was terrible, i dont know why they let me in.

for the ab initio, i had done VERY BASIC italian at school- literally stupid tourists italian stuff. i got a tutor to improve it a bit more before my interviews, and i continued with him through the rest of my alevels. didn't learn much cos i never did any work lol, but it certainly helped. if you can learn some spanish before the interview it helps. my flatmate didnt learn any italian though, didnt matter for him. they will ask you why you want to learn that language though, to check your committment/dedication to it.

2) usually you have 2 interviews, a general one and a subject specific one. this can depend entirely on which college you apply to though, some may hold 3 interviews depending. in terms of questions, they can ask you ANYTHING: a good idea is to go on this site called oxbridge info (google it, or search for the link around here somewhere) lots of MML's have posted the questions they were asked, and u can get a list of general questions that can be asked, such as why this uni, why this college etc (i was asked both of those questions!)

3)i don't think the AVCE will matter, you did do it 2 years early, they'll take that into consideration. they'll just look at your alevel grades....as IT doesn't relate as much to languages, it won't matter.
in terms of extra-curricular, even things like reading, listing favourite authors etc, will be useful. not everyone here was head girl or whatever. as long as u show that you are interested in something outside of your subject, you'll be ok. thye wanna make sure that you aren't going to come to camb and do nothing but work.

4) the great thing about cambridge is that you'll have a room with a kitchen nearby, but there's always the option of hall food (close by!) if you can't be bothered cooking. in terms of hall food, it really depends on the college. there's always a veggie option, and i guess you can request vegan options or whatever if you speak to the head chef beforehand. food quality varies between colleges; sidney's is, erm, interesting (but edible!) whereas goldmines like trinity have a really good hall menu all the time.

5) there are busaries and things to help with your fees if you think you will have problems- sidney is apparantly really good with that sort of thing, as would be the richer colleges in general i guess. remember the top-up fees is not going to be applicable to everyone: circumstances will still be taken into account, so u might not need to pay the full whack. and most students sort out christmas work before they go.....we get a longer xmas break than most people, so you'd have plenty of time to work over the holidays.

phew. hope that helps, if you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

Hi. I applied to Oxford this year for French and German, to Exeter college, and I got a conditional offer of AAA. So:

(a) Preparation
I did nothing like enough; the grammar tests are exceptionally hard (I thought so, anyway, and lots of people agreed). They will not test the obvious stuff, that everyone should know (tenses, etc), but rather the smaller, less common, less like-the-english constructions that you *will* have come across at some point, but will probably have ignored - know these type of things (that's an important point about learning langauges anywhere). Also, think about related nouns, verbs and adjectives, e.g. vivre (v) = vivre (adj) = la vie (n); der Schrecken (n) = erschrecken (v) = schrecklich (adj).
As regards culture, the best way to learn about a country's culture, I think, is to buy a Dorling Kindersly guide to the country and it's history, and read books set there (esp. in historically significant times, e.g. War and Peace if you're doing Russian (read that anyway, actually, it's fantastic!)) Know what you mean when you say "Germanic/Francophonic/Hispanic/etc culture", and be able to explain.
Anyway, revise a lot for the lanhgauges, try to go there, read books, watch french etc tv... the usual stuff, every little helps!

Interviews

Oxford and Cambridge are different; Oxford's are more spread out and you're there for longer, but Cam almost always gives general interviews (I didn't get one at Ox). For clues as to what types of questions, look at Oxbridge Admissions , my profile is this one
Don't get too stressed about them, be ready to speak in your langs and to respond quickly to any info they give to you.

Extra-Curricular



Identical to me, accept I'm a boy, and I was briefly a Prefect (good job not being one, its sh*tty!) For extra curricular, they want to see if you have any interests which underpin youre langauges study, that you can cope with a high level of study and not be distracted (with too much sport, socialising, etc), and that you're not a total nerd.
Best way to show them: an interest in European history, politics, literature, economics, etc (one, some or all); going on relevant work experiences (i.e. a small job in France? Any contacts? You don;t have to say it was only for 2 days (as I did!); having some thing unrelated (I organised the yearbook and hosted the leaver's party, etc), and anything else you can think of, really - languages is a pretty broad church, I believe.

Food
I don't know about Cam; I'm a veggie at Ox and I didn't have a problem at interview, but ask me this time next year...

Jobs
Fair enough, you're not nuts about working durning your studies, but you'll have to work someday, and you need money, so it's pretty much inevitable. Sorry! I hate working too!

Anyway, hope that helps!

Thanks a lot for your help!

Awww, don't say that. You must be fantastic even to have got an interview, and if Cambridge don't want you, that's entirely their loss. You'll go somewhere else, have a great time and get a first!

For those of you who have visited Cambridge, Oxford and Lond (the cities) which would you prefer to live in for college? What about for the rest of your life? Just wondering.

For those of you who have visited Cambridge, Oxford and Lond (the cities) which would you prefer to live in for college? What about for the rest of your life? Just wondering.