Languages at University

I'm planning on taking German at Uni, but I'm also considering whether I should take an additional language. How would I go about deciding whether I should take an additional language or not? If so, should it be a modern language or classical? And if it's a modern language, what tips should I know on deciding which to take?
Apologies that there's layers to this question.

Reply 1

SirNoodles

17

To be perfectly honest, if you're going to be doing a language at university it's expected that you'd study either another language alongside that language or do joint honours with a language + another degree. Doing single honours in a language isn't very common and not entirely useful IMHO.

So really you should be asking yourself if there are any fields of study or any other languages that you're interested in studying alongside German? Are you also interested in history, politics or international relations? Or are you interested in learning French, Spanish or Russian? Really it's down to you to see what interests you as in this forum we're not mind readers so only you know what interests you :smile:

If you're stuck and have no idea here are some tips I can give you for choosing a language you'd like to learn:

- Are there any countries and their cultures, history, music, literature etc. that interest you? For example, if you'd love to travel around Latin America Spanish would be ideal to learn

- Do you know of any of your long term aspirations career-wise? Because certain languages can fit in well with certain career paths e.g. I've chosen to do Russian because, as well as liking the language, culture, history etc. it also gives opens my doors up for if I were to hope to work for GCHQ or any major international institution

- Are there any languages which you simply like the sound of and would love to be able to speak it?

- Are you more driven by money rather than what interests you? For example, languages like Chinese and German are great for opening up doors to working with businesses and unlocking major economies whereas there aren't really any economic powerhouses in the Spanish speaking world

Unfortunately I'm not able to comment on doing Classics but I honestly don't see much use in it unless you want to go into more in depth academic study of languages such as Latin or Ancient Greek and their history. If you're not really interested in the study of classics itself I would recommend going for a modern language where you'd gain more practicality.

I hope what I've written has been helpful. I'm going to study Modern Languages in September and, as a language nerd, I'd like to think that I am reasonably knowledgeable about languages in general or at university so please let me know if I can help out in any other way. Good luck :smile:

Reply 2

BrutusofBritain

12

Original post by SirNoodles

Unfortunately I'm not able to comment on doing Classics but I honestly don't see much use in it unless you want to go into more in depth academic study of languages such as Latin or Ancient Greek and their history. If you're not really interested in the study of classics itself I would recommend going for a modern language where you'd gain more practicality.

Hello! I thought I would come and give another perspective on this. First things first, taking a classical language is a very different type of study to taking a modern language. It is much more literature based than a modern language because you don't learn to speak it etc, and because you write your essays in English which means you are set longer and more detailed ones than in modern languages.

Because of this, studying a classical language has value in that it gives you more essay and analytical experience than modern languages do alone, as well as more opportunity to incorporate historical type study into your degree.

It entirely depends on what you're looking for it of your degree, but they are two very different types of study.

Reply 3

SirNoodles

17

Original post by BrutusofBritain

Hello! I thought I would come and give another perspective on this. First things first, taking a classical language is a very different type of study to taking a modern language. It is much more literature based than a modern language because you don't learn to speak it etc, and because you write your essays in English which means you are set longer and more detailed ones than in modern languages.

Because of this, studying a classical language has value in that it gives you more essay and analytical experience than modern languages do alone, as well as more opportunity to incorporate historical type study into your degree.

It entirely depends on what you're looking for it of your degree, but they are two very different types of study.

Thanks for this! My knowledge of classics is limited so thanks for adding this :smile:

Reply 4

Stumpy1001

19

Original post by lean_24

I'm planning on taking German at Uni, but I'm also considering whether I should take an additional language. How would I go about deciding whether I should take an additional language or not? If so, should it be a modern language or classical? And if it's a modern language, what tips should I know on deciding which to take?
Apologies that there's layers to this question.

@SirNoodles makes some good points . However I do disagree to a certain extent . First of all if you want to do a single degree in la gauges you can , I’m sure your uni will have language open modules . Maybe not available to you the first year ( you prob won’t have any available creds) but the others years you could .

Here’s where I seem to differ form alot of people and perhaps even noodles. Studying teo languages simultaneously is hard . In fact you are better off doing one and at a time . Of course this depends on what you want to do . GCHQ ewes mentioned . I used to be in the army . In the royal signals . I mention it only as a prelude to the point out I knew people who were in the army and worked at GCHQ . GCHQ need language specialists. Exotic language specialists for lack of a better word . Ie. Russian and Chinese . When I left in 2018 Chinese was very high on their list . Why ? Because to work for the vast majority of jobs at GCHQ you will need a to get a security clearance known as DV( developed vetting ). I had this myself , needed it for my job in the army . The point here is most second generation chinese ( of which their are many in England ) despite being British were failing DV . They were logical sense for the chinese language . Your level in these languages needs to be at a very very high standard . It not just speaking but also reading and writing . It would probably need to be on par with your English if not better . Do not underestimate the monumental task of getting to that sort of level . If you start adding one or two more language on top of this well , I think you know where I’m going with this .

if GCHQ isn’t your thing but translation is , know most jobs won’t take you seriously ( I’ve found this out the hard way ) without at least as diptrans cert. which is really only an entry level . So again not at all easy .

to sum up if you want to learn languages for a bit of flair , go ahead do a joint degree , or dabble a bit with open options . If you want to use it professionally it might be better focusing on one .
i attend SOAS . I study chinese . My level is pretty high . I have a chinese partner . Only speak chinese at home . I’ve met a few joint degree student studying chinese + another language . And from my experience they were very very far from a standard they’d need to even pass a prelim interview for a job at GCHQ, let alone anywhere else.

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