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Ms Silke Mentchen
University Language Teaching Officer, University Department of German and Director of Studies in Modern Languages
Dr Hugo Azerad
Co-ordinator Language Teaching, University Department of French and Director of Studies in Modern Languages
Magdalene College has a Spanish Lectora, Ms Silvia Gonzalez Jove. Affiliated Lecturer, Preceptor in Spanish at Corpus Christi and Lectora in Spanish at Magdalene College Department of Spanish and Portuguese. In addition, many teachers from throughout the University collaborate with us to provide teaching in every language, and option of the Modern Languages course. Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Dutch, Modern Greek and Classical languages are all offered by the College, in addition to French and German options.
Professor Nicholas Boyle FBA
Fellow teaching German
Magdalene College usually admits between 4 and 5 undergraduates a year to read Modern Languages.
The number applying each year is usually in the range of 10 - 15.
The Cambridge Modern Languages course is wide-ranging and flexible. It requires the study of two languages chosen from French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Dutch, Modern Greek. Any one of these languages may, alternatively, be combined with Classical Latin or Classical Greek; and it is possible to combine one of the modern languages listed with certain Middle Eastern languages (e.g. Arabic and Hebrew) in the Oriental Studies course (see Oriental Studies sheet)
Both languages may be studied from A-level standard, or one language from A-level standard may be combined with a language you have not previously studied (or have studied to a lower level, such as GCSE). Only French may not be taken from a standard lower than A-level.
The first year of the course concentrates primarily on the study of language (written and spoken), with classes appropriate to the level from which the student is beginning. Beginners study the language intensively, using a variety of learning methods, and reach a standard similar to that of A-level by the end of the year. Post-A-Level students study the use of the written language, translation from the language, and oral communication. As soon as possible in the first year beginners start to learn the language in context and some literary and other texts of a suitable level of difficulty are studied. Post-A-Level students choose between a number of options (literary, linguistic, historical) to supplement their language study and to prepare them for more advanced study of such topics in later years of the course.
The second year brings the language work of those who were beginners up to the standard they reached in their post-ALevel language at the end of their first year. More advanced language work (including translation into the foreign language) is done in languages which were started post-A-Level. All second-year students study a selection of literary or linguistic or historical topics from a wide choice. This choice includes options in linguistics* and in medieval studies, though neither of these is compulsory. In the second year a portfolio of essays may (with certain restrictions) be offered in place of one written examination paper.
The third year is spent abroad in one or two countries relevant to the language or languages the student intends to specialise in in the fourth year. The third year may be spent studying at a foreign University, teaching as an English Language Assistant in a school abroad, or in some other form of employment in the foreign country. Preparation is undertaken during the year for both a final oral examination and a dissertation (or a 'translation project').
The fourth year builds on the year abroad and the previous two years in Cambridge and requires advanced language work (in either one or two languages) and the study of three specialised areas relating to the literature, language, history, thought, or other cultural aspects (e.g. film) of either one or two countries or language areas. Comparative options are also available in both language and literature. A second dissertation may be substituted for a written examination in one of the three specialised areas studied. Linguistics* remains an available option in the fourth year. There are also a number of options that may be Ôborrowed' from other subjects (e.g. English). The range of options chosen in the fourth year may be tailor-made to suit the interests of each student as these have developed through the course.
For students wishing to specialise completely in Linguistics there is a full-time Linguistics course, which has both a one-year and a two-year version. Students may apply to transfer to this course after either one or two years of the Modern Languages course (or of some other courses). The full-time Linguistics course does not include a year abroad.
Teaching is provided in University lectures, language classes, and seminars, and in College-organised 'supervisions' (usually two or three students together). College supervisions focus on the student's literary, linguistic, and other options as well as supplementing central University language teaching.
More detailed information about the Modern Languages course may be obtained from either Dr Hugo Azerad (ha205@cam.ac.uk) or Ms Silke Mentchen (scm30@cam.ac.uk) Director of Studies in Modern Languages, Magdalene College, Cambridge CB3 0AG or by requesting a copy of the Modern Languages Prospectus from the Faculty of Modern and Medieval Languages, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge CB3 9DA (01223 335000). Information is also available on the Faculty's website at http://www.mml.cam.ac.uk/
An A Level (A2) in at least one modern foreign language is essential. (Of course, we accept other qualifications comparable to A Level, such as Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers, the International Baccalaureate, and foreign school-leaving examinations.) We are very open concerning other A-Level and AS subjects: other languages and English are obviously particularly relevant, but we are perfectly happy with other arts or social science subjects and/or Mathematics and the sciences. The quality of the student's mind and keenness for the course are more important than the precise subjects studied for A or AS Level.
Magdalene College does not routinely ask applicants for Modern Languages to take the Advanced Extension Awards. Conditional offers are typically of A*AA at A2-Level, though each offer is individually determined and occasional variations will occur. Achieved grades at GCSE and AS Level will be taken into account when deciding whether to make conditional offers, but unconditional offers will not be made on the basis of AS results alone. Post-A-Level applications are welcome.
The College is happy to consider applications for either immediate or deferred entry in Modern Languages. In practice about a third of our Modern Languages students take a 'gap year' before starting the course, but there is no question of any quota in this connection. We hope that those who take a 'gap year' will use it to further their linguistic and related interests by spending time in the appropriate countries, taking suitable courses or jobs abroad, and reading, but we make no prescriptions.
The College is happy to consider second -time applicants without prejudice. However, prospective candidates are advised to think carefully before giving up a place at another good university to reapply to Cambridge.
Mature students are admitted from time to time, and usually find that they are successful and happy in their course. If you wish to be considered as a mature applicant for Modern Languages, you should be engaged on or have recently completed a course such as A-level, OU or Access. If you are in any doubt about your preparation for a University course, or your choice of College, you are advised to contact us to discuss your individual circumstances before making an application.
We encourage applicants from all types of school and college; and although the information about offers given above indicates a typical requirement, each candidate is considered in the light of his or her individual circumstances.
Hardship awards, travel grants, scholarships for excellent results in university exams and College prizes are all offered by Magdalene.
Interviews are an important part of the selection process. We are looking for the most academically promising candidates (those able and willing to think for themselves, and well motivated towards our course), whatever the languages they propose to study, and there is no quota for any language. We are not looking for people who are simply 'good at being interviewed'. All applicants will be interviewed by the Admissions Tutor, the Director of Studies in Modern Languages, and one or two other language specialists, depending on the languages they propose to study at Cambridge. Interviews will include an orally conducted foreign language test in the case of the language(s) the applicant has taken or is taking at A or AS Level and wishes to continue at Cambridge. Part of the interview will in such cases be conducted in the appropriate foreign language. Fuller details are sent to candidates once they have applied. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate an interest in learning any language being taken ab initio in Cambridge but no knowledge of language will be required
In the case of overseas applicants who cannot attend for interview, the decision will be based on the written application and references, and written work may be requested. Any offer made to an applicant who has not yet taken his or her school-leaving examination will be conditional on the achievement of specified results in that examination.
Like most other Cambridge colleges, Magdalene sets a written test for applicants for admission in Modern Languages. Candidates will be asked to undertake a short written test while they are in Cambridge for interview. Details of this test can be found here. Two essays, one in English and the other in any European Language are asked for. They should have a cultural or literary theme, preferably relating to a European country or its literature.
Magdalene College is happy to consider post-A-Level applications from those who have achieved (normally) three A grades including at least one in a modern foreign language. Such applicants cannot in any way be assured of success in advance, however, and must go through the normal competitive process with other applicants. Offers made to post-A-Level applicants will normally be unconditional.
The College welcomes applications for any of the languages available in the Modern Languages course.
June 2010
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©2012 Magdalene College, Cambridge, CB3 0AG
Registered Charity Number 1137542