Oxford languages interview

How do I prepare most efficiently for an Oxford modern languages interview? I am applying for German.

Should I focus most on reading/widening knowledge or sharpening analysis skills? Or both?

Reply 1

jbrandagamba

This was 8 years ago but for French my interviews involved:

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Being given a bit of time (20-30 minutes) to analyse a text (one of mine was a translation of Shakespeare, the other was an English poem) and then discuss it

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Some general questions in French (to answer in French, I think mine were mostly about whether I had visited France and I talked about a holiday)

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Some discussion of points on my personal statement (I seem to remember an extended discussion of Jules Verne because I had mentioned him extensively) and generally what I was interested in where French, especially literature, was concerned

I was interviewed at two colleges and asked broadly the same stuff for both, but for one college the interview was very casual, and for the other the tutors seemed rather more austere.

So I think it's wise to look at a bit of everything. Make sure you can talk about points on your personal statement, but also brush up on literary analysis and speaking if you feel like you need to. But honestly for the college I was accepted into (the more casual one), I think the tutors were most looking for enthusiasm and genuine interest more than accuracy and specific knowledge.

Reply 2

MariahOptimaMax

Original post by jbrandagamba

This was 8 years ago but for French my interviews involved:

•

Being given a bit of time (20-30 minutes) to analyse a text (one of mine was a translation of Shakespeare, the other was an English poem) and then discuss it

•

Some general questions in French (to answer in French, I think mine were mostly about whether I had visited France and I talked about a holiday)

•

I was interviewed at two colleges and asked broadly the same stuff for both, but for one college the interview was very casual, and for the other the tutors seemed rather more austere.
So I think it's wise to look at a bit of everything. Make sure you can talk about points on your personal statement, but also brush up on literary analysis and speaking if you feel like you need to. But honestly for the college I was accepted into (the more casual one), I think the tutors were most looking for enthusiasm and genuine interest more than accuracy and specific knowledge.

I'm also applying for French (and Classics), and yeah, IDK how much things have changed, but thank you so much for the advice! I'll defo take this all into account. I also mentioned Jules Verne, so I'd better brush up on that stuff.

Reply 3

A*Essays

Original post by Anonymous

How do I prepare most efficiently for an Oxford modern languages interview? I am applying for German.
Should I focus most on reading/widening knowledge or sharpening analysis skills? Or both?

As someone who studies German; I would reckoned that you learn about, or better read, Goethe or Schiller. You could also mention the the ways language was different in the GDR vs in West Germany. More than that, have a look at the West German student protests that took place in 1968: many cultural changes came from there. These are strong subject areas and your tutors might find it interesting if you become reasonably well aquatinted with these areas - reasonably enough in the time that you have while doing A-levels. Read a couple of historical articles about modern Germany (say 1945-1991); learn a bit about its history as Prussia, Unification etc. just elementary stuff. This will probably be enough for you to look at.

Reply 4

A*Essays

It isn't just German literature that you will be studying: make sure to gain some understanding of linguistics, history, art. No one is expecting you to have massive knowledge, but do read some wikipedia articles are the very least. And obviously, if you have time, read some journals, online articles, books, etc. that kind of thing.