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Personal statement advice: modern languages

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Focus on the courses you're applying for

Your cultural engagement.

If you’re applying for modern languages courses that involve studying cultural as well as linguistic elements, then every uni we heard from stressed the importance of reflecting on your own cultural engagement with countries where the language is spoken:

‘We like to see evidence of your enthusiasm for, and immersion in, the language(s) outside of your A level studies. This might include time spent in the country, exchange activities, reading the press or books in the target language, watching films, etc.’ (Dr Lucy Bell, University of Surrey)
‘We would like to know how you have been able to engage with different cultures and communities, and your thoughts on the cultures, histories, or politics of the societies where the languages of study are spoken.’ (Irina Nelson, University of Southampton)

Dr Swift at Oxford explains how your ‘cultural engagement’ can be demonstrated in various ways. 'Doing simple things that are readily available to you via the internet, like reading short stories, following a blog, watching a documentary, or listening to French radio can be extremely valuable if you show what you got out of them. Take advantage of any opportunities available to you. But what's crucial is what you got out of the experience.'

And what you gained from it

What matters isn't so much what or how much you've done, but what you learned from it and how you present this evidence in your statement .

Simply saying you’ve travelled or worked abroad won’t do – it's only when you explain what you gained from it that it starts to support your application. What tutors don’t want is a list of facts about the country, things you've done, or books you’ve read, without explaining how this has expanded your personal experience.

What else to include

An honest opinion: Dr Swift advises to 'always be honest in your response to whatever you've read, watched or listened to. If you didn't particularly enjoy Camu's L'Etranger, for instance, don't say that you did.'
Your voice: 'Nelson Mandela and Wittgenstein both said interesting things about language, but I think it's really not worth giving over some of the precious 4000 characters to someone else's words.' If you do refer to a quotation, it must be more substantial than 'I think X was quite right in that view.'
Talk about extra-curricular activities: include mentions of voluntary work, how you help younger pupils, or what you're learning from the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) if you’re doing one.

Starting a language from scratch?

If your chosen courses include a language you haven’t previously studied at an advanced level, then Dr Davies at Aberystwyth University advises that you should indicate what makes you feel that you’re likely to be successful. For example, describe your experience of studying it at GCSE, evening class, or any other way you’ve engaged with it.

We had further advice from Oxford on how to demonstrate motivation and commitment to a culture and language you haven’t studied before: 'get to know some of that culture’s literature in English translation, or watching films with subtitles. For beginners' courses, we are particularly interested in the connection to the particular language area and what has motivated you to think about that culture above other beginners’ options available.'

So a good way to focus this would be to not only answer the question ‘why do I want to study a new language at university?’ but rather 'why this new language and particular culture?'

Successful Personal Statement For Modern Languages At Oxford

Last Updated: 10th August 2020

Author: Adi Sen

Modern Languages

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it.

Today, we are looking through a Modern Languages applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Modern Languages Course at Oxford aims to teach spoken fluency in colloquial and more formal situations, as well as the ability to write essays in the foreign language, and the ability to translate into and out of the foreign language with accuracy and sensitivity to a range of vocabulary, styles and registers.

Read on to see how the candidate approached this Personal Statement.

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

Enrolling on our Oxbridge Modern Languages comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts.

Your tutor will give you actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.

Modern Languages Personal Statement

France has developed a literature of unequalled richness and variety. Europeans in any age have had few thoughts, desires, or fantasies that a French writer somewhere has not expressed-it has given the Western mind an image of itself. In this sense, French literature serves as a pool in which many cultures meet. Therefore, in particular, it is French literature’s universality which interests me.

Nevertheless, I enjoy how literature provides a window into an author’s contemporary society. For example, ‘Madame Bovary’ draws us into Flaubert’s disgust for the bourgeois existence of the 19thcentury; Zola’s ‘Thérèse Raquin’ invites us into the leprous lower-depths of Paris. I am interested in how both these writers, unparalleled in their psychological clarity and narrative muscle, provide such a brutal and relentless account of their chosen subject matter: for Flaubert, the indulgent decadence of the bourgeoisie, exemplified by Emma Bovary; for Zola, the moral dankness of the murderous lovers. In addition, I have watched Kassovitz’s ‘La Haine’ and Truffaut’s ‘Les quatre cents coups’, both similar to Zola and Flaubert in their rigorous exploration of character. Focusing on social outcasts, these films act as an exposition of societal problems. ‘La Haine’ sheds light on the all-encompassing violence and cultural exclusion of the suburbs of Paris, while ‘Les quatre cent coups’ reveals the shocking injustices in the treatment of juvenile offenders. Thus, such French cinema serves to illuminate the neglected–I relish this narrative potential in the discovery of truth.

Besides these more realistic works, both my English and French A Levels have introduced me toAbsurdism.I have appreciated the works of Beckett (‘Fin de partie’, ‘En attendant Godot’) and Ionesco (‘La Cantatrice Chauve’, ‘Rhinocéros’). These tragicomedies simultaneously entertain and provoke–the reason why I found them so enjoyable and yet so powerful. To pursue this interest in Absurdism, I read Voltaire’s absurd ‘contes philosophiques’, ‘Candide’ and ‘Micromegas’. Fiction, I found, proved to be the perfect medium of expression for Voltaire’s empiricism and scepticism. Therefore, like the tragicomedies of the 20th century, I thought Voltaire’s work succeeded both as entertainment and as an accessible manifesto of his philosophical beliefs. Furthermore, I decided to follow up this interest in such ‘contes philosophiques’ by undertaking an Edexcel Extended Project, entitled ‘Ancient Influence on French Existentialist Literature’, for which I was awarded an A*. Here, I focused on why Camus, in ‘Le Mythe de Sisyphe’, Sartre, in ‘Les Mouches’, and Anouilh, in ‘Antigone’, chose to use classical themes and motifs to communicate their own particular perception of Existentialism. Despite its challenges, the more I worked at this project, the more certain I was that this is what and how I would like to study.

Moreover, I have taken an interest in symbolist French poetry. Having studied some poetry by Baudelaire (‘Les Fleurs du Mal’) and Verlaine (‘Romances sans paroles’), I have become fascinated by the crippling and contrasting emotions communicated in these poems. I now admire how the very sound of the French language can control the register of a poem and, thus, highlight its true meaning even amongst the most abstract, intangible imagery, employed by Baudelaire and Verlaine. I am intrigued by the French language in part due to this precision.

Finally, I contributed regularly to my school’s Modern Languages magazine, ‘Babel’, and have competed in ‘Les Joutes Oratoires’, a national French debating competition in which I reached the final. Through these experiences, I have begun to thoroughly enjoy communicating in French. I believe an extra language extends one’s range. It releases you from the inertia of one cultural gear–achange of perspective that I find truly enlightening and enjoyable. I will be working in Paris from January to March.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

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Good Points Of The Personal Statement

Throughout this statement, the applicant engages consistently with a range of French texts at a very advanced level.

The applicant is able to demonstrate not only an awareness of a huge tranche of French literature but also how specific works intersect. This comparative criticism is carried out by the applicant across several different forms in a manner that is lucid and impressive.

The applicant has mentioned their personal research and is able to indicate why it is interesting and relevant. They are also able to indicate how their personal pursuits are reciprocally and beneficially related to their academic studies.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

At particular moments, this applicant veers from an academic register into an overtly formal one; a stylistic turn which, while remaining clear in meaning, is a little jarring.

More personal information would have been a welcome addition to this statement, especially since its academic calibre is so relentlessly clear throughout; the statement has the potential to be slightly breathless in its rapid consideration of big swathes of literature.

The statement could, therefore, have happily absorbed more personal information without diluting its clear academic potential.

In addition, the candidate could have taken slightly more care over their phrasing, which occasionally takes a tone bordering on reductive or patronising; a risk which is perhaps not worth taking in this context.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

The candidate effectively and efficiently communicates a level of cultural awareness which goes far above and beyond the demands of their curriculum.

They are able to demonstrate how they practically carry forward their interests in extra-curricular and academic activities. Throughout the statement, the applicant engages a muscular, academically-considered tone which is clear and authoritative.

There was room in the statement for greater personal depth and warmth, and for greater justification for some of the strong academic arguments being posed.

And there we have it – an Oxford Modern Languages Personal Statement with feedback from our expert tutors.

Remember, at Oxford, the Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

Check out our Free Personal Statement Resources page for even more successful personal statements and expert guides.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Oxford Modern Languages application.

With our Oxbridge Oxford Modern Languages Premium Programme we help you craft the perfect Personal Statement , achieve a highly competitive MLAT score and teach you how to Interview effectively.

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Modern Languages Personal Statement Guide

Your personal statement is an opportunity to demonstrate to universities your motivation for studying Modern Languages (Modern and Medieval Languages, or MML, at Cambridge) and how ready and capable you are to do so. While other factors like grades and interview performance matter too, the personal statement acts as a point of reference, and universities will revert to it throughout the admissions process, so it’s important to get it right.

Often, the hardest part is getting started, since most students understandably find it difficult to distil their passion for languages into so few words, not to mention finding the time to write it! To help you know where to begin, this guide sets out the steps to take along the way, including what to include and exclude, how to begin and end, and answers to some of the more common questions students have.

Why are Personal Statements Important?
What Should I Include in a Modern Languages Personal Statement?
What Should I Avoid in a Modern Languages Personal Statement?

Advice on How to Start a Modern Languages Personal Statement

Advice on how to finish a modern languages personal statement .

modern languages personal statement thestudentroom

Why are Personal Statements Important?

The personal statement helps universities to assess whether a student has the potential to be successful on a particular course at a particular university, and also helps admissions tutors to choose whom to admit.

Given that the personal statement may be the deciding factor between you and another potential student for admission onto the course, it’s vital your statement satisfies the criteria tutors are working to. You must be able to demonstrate your passion for, and motivation to study, Modern Languages – it’s no good making the statement generic!

You should show evidence of being able to work independently – your lecturers won’t always be checking that you’ve done the work, so they want to know they can rely on you to do it. Universities also want to know you have the skills and curiosity to succeed on a languages degree. In other words, how have you developed your capacity for language-learning and used this beyond the classroom?

In short, the personal statement needs to do so much work in such little space, it’s essential you get it right.

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What Should I Include in a Modern Languages Personal Statement ?

When you have to condense your motivation for studying languages into 4000 characters (including spaces) or 47 lines of 95 characters , whichever is shorter, you have to make every word count. It’s therefore vital that what you include is personal , relevant and impactful .

It may sound obvious, but for something to be personal it needs to be about you and why you want to study languages – so devoting half the statement to your favourite author won’t achieve this.

Likewise, you should only include what is relevant to an application for advanced study and to a languages degree in particular. It's good to mention extra-curricular activities and experiences, but only if you can relate them back to your chosen course of study . To write an impactful statement, you should choose to talk about the most compelling evidence that demonstrates your capabilities and interests in Modern Languages. In short, you must be selective!

Your Passion and Motivation

It may sound obvious, but why do you want to study Modern Languages above everything else? It’s important you convey what it is about languages and their cultures that really drives you.

A good way to demonstrate this passion is by talking about experiences you have beyond the classroom that are relevant to languages, for example travelling to the intended country of study, reading around your subject or watching films in that those languages, and formulating thoughts about what you’ve read, seen, and heard. When talking about experience beyond the classroom, it’s OK to paraphrase what others have thought and felt about the same subject, but just paraphrase, don’t quote; tutors are only interested in your views .

Evidence of Academic Achievement and Independence

It goes without saying that universities want to know you’ll be able to work independently and are self-motivated, so you should include evidence of your academic autonomy and critical engagement with the subject. Examples of this could include learning other languages in your spare time and drawing comparisons between those you knew before, going beyond your school syllabus and finding out more about the history of the language(s) you’re applying to study and its wider culture, including through art, music and film, participating in ‘taster days’ or online courses for different languages, or attending lectures on your language(s) and their cultures.

This is also a good place to include any language-related competitions you’ve entered or prizes you’ve won , but remember to talk about your entry or what you gained from the experience, not just the fact you entered or won.

Thoughts about your Future

Universities like to know that you’ve fully considered what you’re signing up for . A good way to show an awareness of what a languages degree entails is by talking about the Year Abroad and which country or countries you’d like to study or work in, or what sort of activities you want to get involved with when at university.

You could also mention any career plans that you think a Modern Languages degree will help with. This demonstrates on the one hand that you’ve done your research and won’t be surprised by the degree, and on the other that you’re prepared to make the most of your time when you get there. Just remember to keep it to general Modern Languages and not about any particular degree course or a particular university.

What Should I Avoid in a Modern Languages Personal Statement ?

What you don’t include in a personal statement is as important as what you do. The first consideration is that you’re likely applying to more than one university, so remember not to make the personal statement about any specific institution .

The statement should be as focused on you and Modern Language study as possible, so avoid such clichés as quotations from others and don’t waste precious words trying to ‘scene-set’ at the start: be as direct and to the point as you can . Admissions tutors have a limited amount of time to read sometimes hundreds of statements, so you want to make it as easy as possible for them to understand you and your desire to study languages.

Another point to consider is how you weave your achievements into the statement : tutors don’t want to see a list of awards but will want to see them as evidence of a broader interest in Modern Languages or suitability to the degree course, so make sure you’re selective and that what you mention is relevant .

Finally, don’t lie! You must be able to back up anything you claim as true in the statement; this is especially important if you’re going to be interviewed as tutors will question you about your statement’s content in depth.

When you have to condense your motivation for studying languages into 4000 characters (including spaces) or 47 lines of 95 characters, whichever is shorter, you have to make every word count. For this reason, you should plan what you’re going to say before you begin.

Make notes around why you’d be a good candidate, what has led you to that course, and your wider interest in the subject. When you feel you’re ready to start, it’s sometimes a good idea to begin with some of the more substantive middle content as the opening line is often the hardest to write.

When you do come to write the introduction, avoid clichés like ‘For my whole life’ or ‘Ever since I was a child’ as these are hackneyed and have been seen countless times. Instead, be succinct and go straight into what interests you most about studying Modern Languages or where your passion for languages or a country/culture stemmed from; ensure you grab the reader’s attention with something pithy but not overly dramatic .

When it comes to concluding your statement, remember to leave the reader wanting to meet you and find out more . Tutors will have several considerations when reading the statement, such as whether to invite you for an interview, make you an offer, or want to teach you for three or four years. For that reason, you should leave them in no doubt of your suitability for the course .

A good way to achieve this is to link back to your introduction which (hopefully) established your passion and motivation for Modern Languages. In doing this, you can summarise and reinforce the depth of your interest in the subject.

It’s also helpful for tutors to see what you hope to accomplish on the degree course. Naturally, they won't be expecting a detailed plan for the three years; some general hopes and aims will be enough.

What are some Tips for Writing a Strong Modern Languages Personal Statement?
How Long Should my Modern Languages Personal Statement Be?
What Kind of Extracurricular Activities Should I Include in my Modern Languages Personal Statement?
How Can I Tailor my Modern Languages Personal Statement to the Oxford/Cambridge Course?

Understandably, there’s no one-size-fits-all statement, so each is unique. An advantage of applying for MML, however, is that the degree is interdisciplinary and so the opportunity to drawn on diverse experiences is greater than for other subjects. A good approach is to write down your interests in, experiences of, and exposure to not only the language but also the culture of the country through travel, music, film, art, architecture, politics, and food. With this list to hand, writing the statement will become much easier.

It goes without saying that reading as wide a range of texts as possible, both literary and journalistic, will be very helpful for developing your knowledge and interests, but try to keep up with current affairs of your country of study through podcasts and watching the news; it helps to know what’s going on there now, not just what happened in the past. It will be impressive if you can draw parallels between historical and modern events or works of interest in the statement.

You sadly don’t have an unlimited word-count, so you have to fit everything into 4000 characters (including spaces) or 47 lines on the UCAS form, whichever is reached first.

It’s recommended you use as much of that word limit as possible in order to do justice to yourself and maximise the chances of a successful application. That said, don’t try filling space for the sake of it – make sure what you write is worthwhile.

Only include what you deem relevant to an application to study Modern Languages. The most obvious extracurricular activities constitute an engagement with the language(s) you propose to study, so travel, watching films, reading the literature, etc. Although you may be proud of your musical achievements, for example, only mention them if you can relate them to your degree course. Not everything has to be directly related to languages, however, so you could mention sport or music if these activities demonstrate your self-reliance, dedication to achieving a goal, and intellectual independence.

Whilst you cannot make your statement too specific to any one university, there are certain things you can do to ensure Oxbridge tutors know you are thinking of them.

Oxford and Cambridge languages courses have a high workload, so your statement should show how you’ve successfully juggled several intensive commitments, for example you might have won an essay prize while also getting a distinction for a school French project, or carried out prefect duties and found the time to help other students with their German.

Modern Languages at Oxford and Cambridge also put a strong emphasis on literature, so it’s a good idea to read poetry and prose in your language(s) with as wide a chronology as possible; you will be able to include this in your statement and draw on it at interview.

Moreover, as Oxford and Cambridge have very strong historical linguistics departments looking at how languages have changed over time, so this may be an area to delve into further, if that’s your thing.

Book your Modern Languages Personal Statement Package

You can contact our Oxbridge-graduate Consultants on +44 (0) 20 7499 2394 or email [email protected] to discuss our personal statement packages.

If you’d like to know more about Modern Languages, we have admissions test guidance and interview preparation readily available.

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Modern Languages Personal Statement

Sample statement.

As I hold dual nationality, English and French, and am fluent in both languages it was the natural progression for me to want to study other languages. I grew up speaking both English and French at home as my mother is French and wanted me to be able to converse with her family in their native tongue.

At secondary school I was able to pick up the study of German and particularly enjoyed the trip to Cologne that enabled me to practice my German with the locals. This trip greatly improved my confidence in my linguistic abilities as I found I was able to make myself understood, even with a limited vocabulary.

As well as regularly travelling to France I have also explored other European countries. Favourite holiday destinations for me include Germany and Italy and I hope to be able to further my knowledge of both languages on future trips.

During my time at school I discovered that not only did I enjoy learning other languages but I also enjoyed teaching others. This led me to gain teaching experience by undertaking a work placement at my local primary school.

I am currently planning a trip to Peru for next summer so that I can put my teaching skills to good use and teach villagers English. I hope that the skills and experience I have gained will put me at an advantage in my future career.

Outside of my academic responsibilities I have also held a part-time position in my local supermarket throughout my time at college. This role has helped me develop my communication, problem solving, and team work skills.

I look forward to being able to study Modern Languages at a higher level and having the chance to explore the origins, sentence structures, and linguistic patterns in greater detail.

Having an in depth knowledge of a variety of languages will enable me to succeed in what I know to be a very competitive career path. I feel that my experience, skills, and love of travel will help me to get ahead in life.

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Adventures on the Bookshelf

Personal statements i: theory.

posted by Simon Kemp

It’s UCAS time. Applications to study at Oxford in 2015 need to be submitted through the UCAS service by 15 October this year. Most courses at universities other than Oxford and Cambridge have a January deadline, but our deadline is earlier so we can fit in our lengthy admissions process of schoolwork assessment, language tests, and interviews, which will keep us busy until late December. All the information you need is laid out in great detail on the UCAS website , the Oxford admissions page , and the various pages devoted to our modern languages courses. There’s one for people wanting to study two languages together or one on its own , one for people wanting to study English and Modern Languages , one for History and Modern Languages , one for Classics and Modern Languages , one for Philosophy and Modern Languages , one for European and Middle Eastern Languages , and, finally, one for Modern Languages and Linguistics .

UCAS’s own advice on writing your personal statement is here , and is very helpful. I thought it would be useful to add a little more specifically for those thinking of applying to Oxford for modern languages, so this week and next, we’ll be looking at the topic. This week offers a few pointers about how you might go about writing your personal statement. Next week we’ll look at three sample statements and see what they do well and what they could do better.

We’ve talked about personal statements before on the blog, notably in this post , and the ‘Applying to study modern languages’ category gathers together all the relevant posts on Oxford admissions. I’ll begin by reiterating the key point of that earlier post, which is that our decisions about who to offer places to are based on the published admissions criteria for the subject.

The admissions criteria for modern languages at Oxford are these:

1. General Admissions Criteria

Successful candidates for admission will possess the following qualities. The admissions process as a whole is designed to identify which candidates possess them in the greatest measure:

Motivation and commitment along with capacity for sustained study of language and literature.
Communication: willingness and ability to express ideas clearly and effectively both in writing and orally; ability to listen and to give considered responses.
Proven competence in the language(s) as established by school work written in the language(s), by the language test and (in some cases) by oral competence at interview. In the case of beginners, clear evidence of aptitude and potential for language study.
While there is no requirement that candidates will have read any literature in the language(s), successful candidates will demonstrate an aptitude and commitment to the study of literature by evidence of their readiness to discuss their reading in English or in the relevant language(s) or by their response to a reading-passage at interview. Assessors will look for evidence of intellectual curiosity and critical engagement.

Selection is competitive and it may well be that a candidate is able to demonstrate these qualities and nonetheless is edged out of contention by a candidate with stronger all-round claims. In applying these criteria, the main concern is to identify proven competence in the language(s) along with future promise and aptitude in literary and cultural studies. Examination results, predicted examination results, school reports, school written work, performance at interview and in the language test(s) are all taken into account in the assessment of present achievement and of future potential. In the case of candidates whose first language is not English, competence in the English language is also a criterion.

(I’ve copied the list from the modern languages faculty website here .)

We’re simply looking to see how well you fulfill these criteria in each of the areas that form part of our admissions process. These areas are:

your qualifications achieved so far

predicted grades for Year 13

teacher references

submitted schoolwork

results in our language tests

performance during the interviews

and the personal statement itself.

(Plus, we’re also taking into account the UCAS contextual data and any bearing it may have on your achievements in any of the above areas, as I’ve talked about here .) As you can see, the personal statement is one among many factors here, and by no means among the most important of them, but it’s worth taking the time to get it right.

As we’re well aware when we read these things, you only get to write one personal statement for all your UK university applications, and it’s unlikely that modern languages at Oxford is your only choice. Even at Oxford, if you’re applying for one of the ‘joint schools’ with English, Philosophy, Linguistics, Middle-Eastern Languages, History or Classics, you’ll need to look up their selection criteria online and tailor your personal statement to meet those as well. At the other universities you’re applying to, you may well be applying for a different combination of subjects, or for a modern languages course with very different emphasis from the Oxford one, so the Oxford tutor understands that your personal statement needs to be broad enough to encompass all of your choices. Having said that, with around three applicants for every place available in modern languages, and with our most popular joint school, English and Modern Languages, able to take only 16% of applicants last year (these statistics are on the course pages listed above), it’s important that you fulfil the ‘motivation and commitment’ criterion at the very top of the list by showing in your personal statement that the Oxford course is one you really want. A while ago I received an application for French and Spanish with a personal statement almost entirely focused on the candidate’s commitment to studying Management with Business Spanish (a course we don’t offer). It didn’t put the applicant in a strong starting position against the other candidates.

Given the proviso that it has to do other things as well, how might you draft your personal statement to engage with our selection criteria? Take a look at the four bullet-point criteria above (in green) again, and then at the seven kinds of information we have on you as part of your application (in red), and you’ll be able work out which criteria are relevant to the personal statement, and which are to do with other parts of the admissions process.

Your proven competence in the language, for instance, will be shown by actual and predicted grades, teacher reference, language test and schoolwork , not by the personal statement. Your ability to express yourself orally , and to listen and give considered responses, are for the interview to demonstrate. What’s left for the personal statement once you take out these other criteria are the following:

Motivation and commitment for sustained study of language and literature.
Communication: willingness and ability to express ideas clearly and effectively in writing.
An aptitude and commitment to the study of literature by evidence of their readiness to discuss their reading in English or in the relevant language(s).

All of these will also come through in other parts of the application process, such as your teacher references for the first one, your schoolwork for the second, and the interview for the third. But you can definitely make a good first impression by writing a personal statement that has something to say about each of them:

Motivation and commitment for sustained study of language and literature. Anyone can say they’re motivated and committed. But can you show it? We’re not looking for people to lay it on thick with declarations of enthusiasm and passion. We’re looking for something that counts as real evidence. Have you been on an exchange? Do you correspond in the foreign language with someone on social media? Do you try to read foreign newspapers online? Or watch foreign films on DVD? Any of these things would be good support to an assertion that you’re committed to studying the foreign language and its culture.

Willingness and ability to express ideas clearly and effectively in writing. Clear and effective doesn’t mean wordy and pretentious. There’s no point in using unnecessarily obscure words and phrasing to try to sound more sophisticated. There is a point, though, in being accurate. You only have forty-seven lines to write, and it’s reasonable to hope you should be able to manage that without spelling or grammar mistakes. Read it through several times, and give it to other people to read to make sure. Pay particular attention to any names of people, books or films you’ve included, or any quotes in the foreign language. Every year I get at least a couple of applicants telling me how keen they are to discover the works of Jean-Paul Satre (it’s Sartre ), or how interested they are in the adventures of Mersault in Albert Camus’s L’Étranger (it’s Meursault ).

A n aptitude and commitment to the study of literature by evidence of their readiness to discuss their reading in English or in the relevant language(s). Some A-level courses or equivalent in modern languages include a literature component, but most don’t. Some applicants are also studying English literature alongside the modern language in the sixth form, but many aren’t. So what we’re absolutely NOT expecting of a candidate is any experience of studying literature formally at school. What we are looking for, though, is that you’re the kind of person who has an interest in literature and culture, and will thrive on a university course that involves quite a lot of it. We’ll spend a good part of the interview on this subject, but you can make a start in demonstrating it in the personal statement. Have you read any serious English literature? Have you ever read a novel or play from the modern language in English translation? Have you tried, or do you plan to try reading something in the original language? If you’re doing any of these things, are you doing them on your own initiative, above and beyond what your school is requiring you to do? If you’ve read something in translation or the original language, do you have any thoughts on it? Was anything about it particularly striking? What questions did it raise, or what was particular about the characters, the style of the writing or the way the plot was structured? Be as detailed and specific as you can within the limits of the word count. We’re always pleased to see what you’ve read and what you thought of it, and you can be sure that if you do say something along these lines, then you’ll be invited to discuss it further during the interview.

That just leaves the things that aren’t in the selection criteria. Here in Oxford, we’re entirely focused on your academic potential. While it’s nice to see other details about you on the personal statement to get to know you a little better as a person, they won’t ultimately have a bearing on whether we’re able to offer you a place on our courses. I’m always very pleased to see that you play the oboe to Grade 8 standard, or that you represent your county in ice-hockey junior championships, and you should rightly be proud of achievements like this and include them on the statement. But if you’ve never picked up a musical instrument or ventured onto a sports field without catastrophe immediately following, or if your sole out-of-school activity is curling up in an armchair with a book, then I’m very happy to see that too, and it won’t count against your chances of a place at Oxford in any way.

That’s the theory, then. Next week, we’ll take a look at some statements, and see how all this might work in practice…

A blog for students and teachers of Years 11 to 13, and anyone else with an interest in Modern Foreign Languages and Cultures, written by the staff and students of Oxford University. Updated every Wednesday!

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Example Personal Statement: Languages (French and Latin)

A student analyses their personal statement.

I applied to study Modern and Medieval Languages at Cambridge University in October 2016, as well as French and Latin courses at Durham, Exeter, Edinburgh and St. Andrews. The MML degree course allows students to select two different languages and, as one of my languages was ancient, I had to appeal to both the Classics and MML departments in my Personal Statement. I received offers from all five of my universities.

A student breaks their personal statement down into parts, analysing each section as they go so you can learn from their experience.

Teaching children in my weekly Latin club has given me the opportunity to see the foundations of a language being set. I have relished demonstrating how to assemble the fundamental blocks of a language into complex sentences and illustrating the linguistic patterns which emerge.

In order to make the opening lines eye-catching, start with something unique about you. It could be an interesting personal reason why you chose your subject, or something which not many other candidates will have done (i.e. running a Latin club.)

For me, the joy of language lies in this puzzle of translation. Each line of poetry or prose requires a mind that can commit to memory and apply grammatical rules with mathematical precision, yet still appreciate the nuances and stylistic manipulation that make a language unique. I have the linguistic flexibility necessary to comprehend and compose French, whilst the analytical skills taught in Maths have instilled in me the rigour and grammatical accuracy required of an inflected language such as Latin. It was this meticulousness which enabled me to achieve full UMS in my Latin Language, French oral and two Maths modules. I have also extended my range of languages by attending the JACT Ancient Greek Summer School and completing an online course in Italian; two languages which I was curious to find as equally contrasting in structure as Latin and French.

Your reasons for applying for your subject should be made clear early on in your PS. This will probably be the section where you are able to convey the most passion for your subject.

Here I also explain why I have chosen my two languages in particular; for courses where you’ve chosen a combination of subjects it’s important to justify why this mix appeals to you.

I mention my other A Level subject and demonstrate how it is relevant to this course. Everything needs to be tailored to prove that you are an excellent candidate for the specific subject(s) for which you are applying.

I also go into detail about my AS results in this section to demonstrate my aptitude for these subjects. Note that universities will receive your grades but not your UMS scores.

This section is about my skill for languages in general. In the next couple of paragraphs I discuss each language separately. It’s important to keep your PS clearly structured in this way, especially when applying for two different subjects.

When exploring a language, a study of the culture will naturally follow. I became captivated by French culture when I read Philippe Delerm's 'La Premiere Gorgee de Biere.' I found the French language, with its languid vowel sounds and euphonic rhythm, was the perfect medium for Delerm's sensory descriptions. In the same way, the lavish descriptive passages in Flaubert's 'Madame Bovary' convey the wild romanticism of Emma's aspirations, as well as the monotony and claustrophobia of provincial life, far more effectively than any translation. In contrast, the harsh vernacular used in Faiza Guene's 'Kiffe Kiffe Demain' and films such as 'La Vie d'Adele' and 'La Haine' enhances the realism of these powerful stories.

Here I mention the ways I’ve explored the French culture. Note that I don’t just list the books I’ve read, but instead reflect on each one, mentioning what I found interesting.

In this paragraph, I comment on the importance of the French language in each of the books and films mentioned. Try to link examples in this way, looking for a theme that runs throughout or perhaps a contrast between two narratives. This makes the PS seem more natural and fluent, as well as demonstrating your ability to process and apply your knowledge independently.

As an Auschwitz ambassador, I have learnt the critical importance of cultural connection, a technique the Holocaust Educational Trust uses to reverse the dehumanisation of the Jews. I feel the same connection when examining any society's literature, ancient or modern. Reading of the longing of Propertius for his Cynthia or Catullus' bitter affection for the unfaithful Lesbia, the humanity of their experiences is strikingly contemporary. From the colourful history disclosed by Tacitus to the hilarity of the 'Lysistrata' or the wickedness of the 'Amores,' the sentiments expressed by the ancients remain just as appealing and relevant in the modern day. Indeed, one only needs to turn to the rhetoric of hate surrounding the US Presidential Election to find the merciless invective characteristic of a Juvenalian satire.

Whilst reading Satire VI, I was struck by how the innuendo exclusively used to describe women in the past remains largely unchanged in the modern media. I also came to this conclusion whilst conducting research for my voluntary EPQ. For example, the Latin word 'docta,' the feminine form of clever, previously used to denote something far less respectable than intelligence, to me seemed all too similar to modern day articles which euphemistically described Hilary Clinton as 'a woman of experience.'

This paragraph covers my reading for my second language: Latin.

Here I link in my experience as an Auschwitz ambassador (which is seemingly irrelevant to a languages degree) to demonstrate how it has furthered my enthusiasm for the subject.

Again, I don’t just list my reading here but illustrate what I’ve learnt from it.

My course was one where it was possible for me to be called to an interview so I left ‘hooks’ in my PS that I thought would make good discussion material later. I was later asked to expand on the point about Hillary Clinton and my EPQ topic at my interview.

Mentioning current affairs (and how your subject links to them) demonstrates that you can see the importance of your subject in the wider world. You should also offer your own opinion, because this will make your PS stand out as unique.

My French film club has exposed fellow pupils to a broad range of films, from the deeply moving 'Le Scaphandre et Le Papillon' to the bittersweet 'Persepolis.' I founded the Latin Society and led several Classics days for local primary schools as well as inviting the classicist and author Natalie Haynes to lecture. I play grade 8 flute and 6 piano, exploring French culture through music, with a repertoire including Faure, Chaminade and Gaubert. I lead the Debating Society and was awarded Best Speaker in the countywide round of the ESU Public Speaking Competition, for a speech entitled 'Can Language Change the World?'

This section covers my extracurricular activities. Note that each one is still linked to my academic studies. This shows an admissions tutor that you are constantly thinking about your subject and how it relates to the world around you.

I truly value the power of the spoken and written word so it is therefore a natural progression for me to study a subject by which I'm so captivated.

Finally, the concluding line should sum up the PS and your reason for applying (so that you avoid finishing on the extracurriculars section.)

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Modern and Medieval Languages Personal Statement Examples

1 Personal Statement Example Links
2 Career Opportunities
3 UK Admission Requirements
4 UK Earnings Potential For Modern and Medieval Languages
5 Similar Courses in UK
6 UK Curriculum
7 Alumni Network

Personal Statement Example Links

Personal Statement Example 1
Personal Statement Example 2
Personal Statement Example 3
Personal Statement Example 4
Personal Statement Example 5

Ever been captivated by the allure of diverse languages, both modern and medieval? Intrigued by the prospect of studying languages that have shaped and been shaped by human societies over centuries?

If so, a degree in Modern and Medieval Languages could be your perfect journey. This enriching programme invites you to explore a broad array of languages, immersing yourself in their linguistic intricacies and cultural contexts, past and present.

Modern and medieval languages courses are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the various languages and cultures of the modern and medieval world. Students will learn about the history, literature, and cultural aspects of the languages they study, as well as how to effectively communicate in them. Students will also develop a range of skills, such as critical thinking, research, and writing, which will be invaluable in their future studies and careers.

The modern and medieval languages course typically includes a range of topics, such as linguistics, literature, history, and culture. Students will also have the opportunity to study a variety of languages, including Latin, Greek, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. In addition, students may also have the opportunity to study a range of other languages, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian.

👍 When writing a personal statement : Highlight your passion for the course, demonstrating your understanding of it. Use relevant personal experiences, coursework, or work history to showcase how these have fostered your interest and readiness for the course.

Career Opportunities

A degree in Modern and Medieval Languages can open up a variety of career opportunities.

One of the most common career paths for someone with this degree is teaching. Those with a Modern and Medieval Languages degree can teach at the secondary school level, as well as at universities and colleges. They can also teach English as a foreign language in language schools, or teach other languages in private language schools.

Those with a Modern and Medieval Languages degree can also pursue a career in translation and interpretation. This involves translating written documents from one language to another, as well as interpreting spoken language in real-time. This career path is in high demand, and can be found in a variety of industries, including business, government, and media.

Those with a Modern and Medieval Languages degree can also pursue a career in international business. This involves working with international clients and customers, and requires a strong knowledge of different languages and cultures.

Finally, those with a Modern and Medieval Languages degree can pursue a career in the media. This includes working as a journalist, editor, or producer in radio, television, or print media. It also includes working in advertising or public relations, where knowledge of different languages and cultures is essential.

UK Admission Requirements

The UK Admission Requirements for the University Course Modern and Medieval Languages vary depending on the institution. Generally, applicants will need to have achieved a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above, including English and Maths. In addition, applicants will need to have achieved a minimum of two A Levels at Grade C or above in either a Modern Language or a related subject such as Classics, History, or Philosophy.

The entry criteria for the University Course Modern and Medieval Languages is comparable to other courses in the same field. For example, many universities will require applicants to have achieved a minimum of two A Levels at Grade C or above in either a Modern Language or a related subject such as Classics, History, or Philosophy. Other universities may also require applicants to have achieved a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above, including English and Maths. In addition, some universities may also require applicants to have achieved a minimum of a Grade B in their chosen language at GCSE.

Overall, the entry criteria for the University Course Modern and Medieval Languages is comparable to other courses in the same field. However, the exact entry requirements may vary depending on the institution.

UK Earnings Potential For Modern and Medieval Languages

The average earnings for someone with a degree in Modern and Medieval Languages vary depending on the job they pursue. According to PayScale, the median salary for a language teacher in the UK is £26,000 per year. Other roles that require a degree in Modern and Medieval Languages include translators, interpreters, and lexicographers, which have a median salary of £29,000, £27,000, and £30,000 respectively.

In terms of job market trends, the demand for language professionals is growing. As the UK’s economy becomes more globalised, there is an increasing need for individuals with language skills to help facilitate international business. Additionally, the tourism industry is also growing, which is creating more opportunities for language professionals to work in the hospitality sector.

Similar Courses in UK

Other university courses related to Modern and Medieval Languages include English Language and Literature, Linguistics, and Classics.

English Language and Literature focuses on the study of the English language, its literature and its history. It looks at the structure of the language, the development of literature and the social and cultural contexts in which it is used.

Linguistics is the scientific study of language and its structure, including the analysis of its sounds, words, and grammar. It also looks at the history and development of language, and how it is used in different contexts. Classics focuses on the study of ancient Greek and Latin language and literature, and the cultures of the classical world.

The key differences between these courses and Modern and Medieval Languages are the languages studied and the focus of the courses. Modern and Medieval Languages focuses on the study of languages from the medieval period to the present day, including French, Spanish, Italian, German, and other languages. English Language and Literature, Linguistics, and Classics focus on the study of English, the scientific study of language, and the study of ancient Greek and Latin language and literature, respectively.

UK Curriculum

A Modern and Medieval Languages degree is typically a multi-disciplinary course focusing on the study of languages, literature, history, and culture from the medieval period to the present day. Here’s a brief outline of the curriculum:

– Introduction to two or more chosen languages (modern and/or medieval). Beginners may start a new language, while students with prior knowledge will focus on advancing their skills. – Overview of linguistics, introducing key concepts and theories. – Exploration of literary texts and cultural history related to chosen languages.

– Further language study, improving fluency in speaking, reading, writing, and translation. – In-depth study of literature, film, art, and history associated with the languages being studied. – Optional courses may be available in areas such as linguistics, philosophy, or a specific genre or period of literature.

– Year abroad (typical in language degrees). Students may study at a foreign university, work as a language assistant in a school, or undertake a work placement in a country where their chosen languages are spoken.

– Advanced language study, focusing on sophisticated aspects of grammar, style, and idiom. – Specialisation in chosen areas of interest, such as a particular author, period, genre, or theme in literature, or a specific aspect of cultural history. – Dissertation on a chosen topic related to the languages studied, incorporating primary source research in the target language(s).

Assessment methods typically include written and oral examinations, coursework, and the final year dissertation. The exact curriculum may vary by institution and depending on the specific languages chosen by the student.

Alumni Network

Notable alumni from the Modern and Medieval Languages course at the University include:

1. Baroness Valerie Amos CH, PC – Baroness Amos is a British Labour politician and former Leader of the House of Lords. She has held a number of high-profile roles including United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, High Commissioner to Australia, and Director of the Equal Opportunities Commission. Baroness Amos is a graduate of the Modern and Medieval Languages course at the University and is currently a Visiting Professor at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

2. Sir Christopher Frayling – Sir Christopher is a British cultural historian, broadcaster, and former Chairman of the Arts Council England. He is a graduate of the Modern and Medieval Languages course at the University and is currently Rector of the Royal College of Art.

3. Sir John Tusa – Sir John is a British journalist, broadcaster, and former Managing Director of the BBC World Service. He is a graduate of the Modern and Medieval Languages course at the University and is currently Chairman of the Clore Leadership Programme.

Alumni events and networking opportunities are available through the University’s Alumni Network. The University organises a range of events throughout the year, including lectures, seminars, and networking opportunities. The Alumni Network also provides a platform for alumni to connect and share their experiences.

Reach out to us for career and sponsorship opportunities

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Languages personal statements

Personal Statement:Modern Languages 2

The depth of culture and history in Europe is vast. I have always been fascinated by language. I first gained my taste for languages as a small child, being brought up bilingually, and spending my summers in Sweden. I later went on to study French and German at secondary school. I did well in both, winning the German prize in year 11 and in year 12 the German and French prizes for attainment.

I want to continue with my studies in at least one of these languages, as I believe that even A level studies are merely the tip of the iceberg. I would like to develop my knowledge of other cultures, and I feel the best way do this is by studying a new language ab initio. Another northern European language strikes me as the most interesting way forward.

In 2004 I took part in a German school exchange in Bad Windsheim. In July 2006 I returned there independently for a further week when I did work experience both in a pharmacy and with a vet. Spending time in Germany gave me a valuable opportunity to find out more about both Germany and its people, and to improve my German.

I have enjoyed travelling independently in recent years, exploring the UK, Sweden, France, Germany and Denmark. I always prefer to travel by rail, as it affords the perfect chance to view the landscape and observe cultural differences.

I read a wide variety of genres, from crime to fantasy and I particularly like reading translated works and comparing the way authors portray their own cultures (for example Dario Fo and Henning Mankell). My role as a student librarian for four years at xxxx High and my part-time job at a local award winning bookshop both involved me in many literary events. I attended Poetry Live in 2005, and the Gothenburg Book Fair Bok och Bibliotek in 2005 and 2006. At the 2005 fair I interviewed the author Philip Pullman, and later had an article published on a website. I enjoy watching films in Swedish, Danish, German and French. As well as going to British and foreign theatres I have organised a school theatre trip to London.

I keep up-to-date with current affairs by reading foreign newspapers and watching foreign news on the internet. I was involved with Comenius Youth News for three years and at a gathering of representatives I was able to chat with both Germans and Norwegians. During the project I wrote a number of articles and was involved in the running of its website.

Over the years I have been involved in the Nordic community at the Scandinavian Church in Liverpool, helping at fundraising events, along with Swedes, Norwegians, Finns and Danes.

Last year I acted as a barrister in the Bar Mock Trial competition. Having won our regional heat we finished second in the national finals at the Old Bailey. I thrived under the pressure of this role and gained a valuable insight into an area I knew little about, whilst also enjoying myself.

I have played rugby (reaching a national quarter final), tennis, the piano and the saxophone, and am thus aware that only practice leads to success.

Studying languages at university will provide me with a thought provoking and stimulating experience. It will give me life-long transferable skills and a high level of fluency in two languages. It will extend and develop my enthusiasm for languages. I am convinced that modern languages is the choice for me.

Universities Applied to:

University of Edinburgh (German and Swedish) - Offer BBB (Firm choice, met with grades of AAAB)
University of Cambridge (German and Russian) - Rejected after being pooled.
University of Manchester (German and Russian) - Offer BBC
University of Sussex (German and Italian) - Offer ABB
UCL (German and Icelandic) - Offer AAB
Aston University (German, French and Spanish) - Offer BBC
GCSE: A*x9, Ax2.
A2 predicted grades: AAAA

General Comments:

This personal statement was written in 2006 and used for applications to courses beginning in September 2007. It is 3328 characters long.

Comments on the statement:

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The Student Room and Personal Statements

I have seen enough personal statements to last me a lifetime! My students keep asking me to have a look at their personal statements they are writing for their postgraduate applications. There are any number of pages on the internet about writing a personal statement but I would like to add a couple of points.

There are no rules about writing a personal statement Everybody’s personal statement will be different. Some students I speak to are very worried about their statement. “Am I allowed to talk about my part time job?” “Do I have to mention my personal background?” My message to students is this: the universities are not out to trick you! If there’s something that you feel you should write about, then write about it. The universities are not really testing you on your ability to write a personal statement. They want to know that you can write well in English and that you have thought carefully about the course you are applying for.

Research the course you are applying for and say why you want to follow it! One thing I am sure about is that if the reader feels that your statement is very general and has been sent to lots of universities then they won’t be impressed! Research the course you are interested in. What are the names of the modules? What do these modules cover? If you then talked about why you were interested in doing these particular modules that would show that you have done research into the course and you have thought why you want to do that one. If you can say how the course content will help you with your long term goals I would think that would be quite persuasive.

Write your own personal statement! If the reader thinks your personal statement isn’t written by you then this will give a very bad impression. You may think that your personal statement needs to be grammatically perfect, but in fact university staff are used to seeing personal statements from overseas students. Overseas students can get good marks and give a good impression without writing perfectly. It is better to come across to your reader as a genuine student than someone who is having their work proofread by someone else all the time!

I have been enjoying browsing The Student Room. It really does give you a taste of student life in the UK. There’s any amount of help and advice for students including, of course, suggestions on writing personal statements .

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I believe that if everyone spoke each other’s languages the world would be a much better place. I would love to study French and Spanish at university because I plan to travel round the world and gain a better understanding of different cultures.I am very interested in the political systems of both countries.

To extend my Spanish studies, I also read ‘Spain: What everyone needs to know’ by William Chislett. The chapter ‘the transition to democracy’ gave me a much greater understanding of how Spain made the long transition from the strong dictatorship of Franco to the country that it is today.

I found it interesting how quickly the new king, Juan Carlos, began to pardon many political prisoners, setting it back to how it was before the times of the dictatorship.

I have also read many articles from French news sites such as ‘France24’ on politics. It was compelling to read about the violent swing in political allegiances and public voting trends, for example the great numbers of those voting for Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far right party The National Front, who won in both general and regional elections but who lost spectacularly in the end to the now president Emmanuel Macron.

I have a keen interest in French and Spanish History and I recently read: ‘Un sac de billes’ and the film:

‘Un long dimanche des fiancailles’ which portrayed French history and life during the first and second World Wars. These also covered how the wars started and the long lasting effects on the people who survived and it was especially fascinating to read about the characters’ desire to avenge the death of loved ones.

In Spanish I studied: ‘La Casa de Bernarda Alba’ which demonstrated the strict rules that women had to obey in the 1930s. It also showed me how important it was for rich families to retain their good reputations in society even at the expense of inter-family relations.

I have had the privilege of travelling to many countries both inside and outside of Europe on my own and with my family and have greatly enjoyed the experience of learning about other people’s cultures and heritage.

Travelling by myself and going on language courses such as ‘Colegio Maravillas’ in Spain and ‘Alpha B’ Language School in France, where I stayed with host families, has greatly improved my communication skills in both languages along with gaining new friends along the way.

This experience gave me a new understanding and appreciation of different cultures and I also enjoyed hearing different perspectives on current issues such as Brexit and immigration, as these were completely different from what I was used to hearing at home and at school.

Having spent so much time in these countries I have gained a good cultural understanding and appreciation but I hope to strengthen that even more by studying languages at university.

Outside the classroom, I am great advocate for charities and community service work. I completed an NCS course last summer and over the weeks my confidence in myself grew and my communication skills increased.

I also greatly enjoyed giving back to my community by going into a hospital, speaking to the patients and buying food for people who are less privileged than myself. Additionally, I heard from different local charities such as the gardening charity, Earthworks, and the Willow Foundation.

I learned how they helped the community around them and the positive impact they have on people’s lives whether it is building them a garden or giving ill adults a day which they will never forget, helping me to appreciate the work charities do in general. I have also recently volunteered at the charity shop, Cancer Research, where I learned how to work together as a group to raise money for the charity, developing my teamwork skills. I would love to study languages because I believe that it will open many new doors for me in the future, and would potentially enable me to combine my love of languages and communication with charity work abroad.

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Personal Statement:Modern Languages
Undergraduate: B.A. / M.A. Modern Languages (French & Spanish) Universities applied to: Cambridge - Pooled - Rejected St. Andrews - Offer - Accepted Edinburgh - Rejected Durham - Offer - Declined Bristol - Offer - Declined. My enthusiasm for language study goes back to my early childhood and my exposure to different languages, which in turn led ...
Languages personal statements
P. Personal Statement:French and Spanish 6. Personal Statement:French and Spanish 7. Personal Statement:French and Spanish 8. Personal Statement:Personal statement: French and Spanish 9. Personal Statement:French german and beginner russian 1. Personal Statement:German 1. Personal Statement:German 2. Personal Statement:German and Italian 1.
Modern languages personal statement
My personal statement's structure was a short intro, three middle paragraphs and a short conclusion. Out of my middle paragraphs, only one mentioned Spanish because naturally, I had more to say about my a-level language. In short, it's a good idea to mention the beginner's language but don't worry if you have more to say about your a-level one.
How to write a Modern Languages Personal Statement
Durham student Jack explains how to write a standout Personal Statement.Get more advice on his channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ReadingWithJack
Personal statement advice: modern languages
Focus on the courses you're applying for. The advice from Dr Helen Swift at University of Oxford is to think carefully about what kind of language courses you're applying for, and focus your personal statement accordingly: 'What you give as evidence of your engagement with the subject will depend significantly on the nature of the course ...
Successful Personal Statement For Oxford Modern Languages
Today, we are looking through a Modern Languages applicant's Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University.The Modern Languages Course at Oxford aims to teach spoken fluency in colloquial and more formal situations, as well as the ability to write essays in the foreign language, and the ability to translate into and out of the foreign language with accuracy and ...
How to Write a Great Modern Languages Personal Statement: Expert Tips
Your personal statement is an opportunity to demonstrate to universities your motivation for studying Modern Languages (Modern and Medieval Languages, or MML, at Cambridge) and how ready and capable you are to do so. While other factors like grades and interview performance matter too, the personal statement acts as a point of reference, and universities will revert to it throughout the ...
Modern Languages Personal Statement Example 1
Modern Languages Personal Statement Example 1. My decision to study Modern Languages at University has been driven by my passion for Language. My mother is fluent in French and began teaching it to me in primary school. To supplement this study of French, at High School I chose to study German. I realised very quickly that it wasn't the study ...
Languages Personal Statement Examples
Modern Languages Personal Statement Example 1. My decision to study Modern Languages at University has been driven by my passion for Language. My mother is fluent in French and began teaching it to me in primary school. To supplement this study of French, at High School I chose to study German...
Modern Languages Personal Statement Example 5
Modern Languages Personal Statement Example 5. As a child during trips to museums or castles, being given an audio guide was the most exciting thing to me. I loved to switch the language to a foreign one, despite my extremely narrow understanding. The sounds of the unknown words, accents and the idea that there are masses of people who ...
Personal Statement:Modern Languages 1
Personal Statement:Modern Languages 1. I have found great enjoyment in language learning for a number of years and my passion for both French and German goes much further than the A-Level syllabus. I hope that the study of Modern Languages at university can help satisfy my appetite for the particular aspects of French and German that I find the ...
Modern Languages Personal Statement
Modern Languages Personal Statement Sample Statement. As I hold dual nationality, English and French, and am fluent in both languages it was the natural progression for me to want to study other languages. I grew up speaking both English and French at home as my mother is French and wanted me to be able to converse with her family in their ...
I want to study Modern Languages: what do I put in my personal statement?
There is no set model for a Modern Languages personal statement; it varies depending on your interests, the content of the degree courses and whether you're starting a new language or not. Of course, however, for most courses there are key points to cover, such as pinpointintg your main area of interest in that language (is there a personal ...
Personal Statements I: Theory
Motivation and commitment along with capacity for sustained study of language and literature. Communication: willingness and ability to express ideas clearly and effectively both in writing and orally; ability to listen and to give considered responses. Proven competence in the language (s) as established by school work written in the language ...
Modern Languages Personal Statement
OP. Original post by cchloepx. I would recommend writing about why you enjoy languages and why you're taking it to uni. I'm applying for Italian and German. In my personal statement, I've mentioned my interest in Italian history and culture, namely roman mythology. I've also mentioned an interest in Italian and german politics.
Modern Languages Personal Statement Example 4
Modern Languages Personal Statement Example 4. Quite simply, I want to study languages because I love them. My motivation comes from a deep desire to experience the world in every way possible and I believe that you can only truly experience a culture in the native tongue. I think that through speaking foreign languages one can become a global ...
Example Personal Statement: Languages (French and Latin)
It is included as standard for Unifrog partner schools. I applied to study Modern and Medieval Languages at Cambridge University in October 2016, as well as French and Latin courses at Durham, Exeter, Edinburgh and St. Andrews. The MML degree course allows students to select two different languages and, as one of my languages was ancient, I had ...
Personal Statement:Modern Languages 3
Modern Languages (German, French and Chinese) Personal Statement. Having been brought up in Belgium, I have found from an early age communicating in "foreign" languages the most rewarding challenge. At 15 I volunteered at an international music festival in Nantes. Separated from adults and English speakers altogether, I was out of my comfort zone.
Modern and Medieval Languages Personal Statement Examples
A Modern and Medieval Languages degree is typically a multi-disciplinary course focusing on the study of languages, literature, history, and culture from the medieval period to the present day. Here's a brief outline of the curriculum: Year 1 - Introduction to two or more chosen languages (modern and/or medieval).
Modern Languages Personal Statement Example 2
This personal statement was written by Greatleysteg for application in 2008. Greatleysteg's Comments. This was used to apply for the following: Oxford - Modern Languages (French and German) Durham - English Literature. UCL - European Social and Political Studies (French & German) UCL - English and German. Warwick - English and French.
Personal Statement:Modern Languages 2
It will extend and develop my enthusiasm for languages. I am convinced that modern languages is the choice for me. Universities Applied to: University of Edinburgh (German and Swedish) - Offer BBB (Firm choice, met with grades of AAAB) ... This personal statement was written in 2006 and used for applications to courses beginning in September ...
The Student Room and Personal Statements
Write your own personal statement! If the reader thinks your personal statement isn't written by you then this will give a very bad impression. You may think that your personal statement needs to be grammatically perfect, but in fact university staff are used to seeing personal statements from overseas students.
Modern Languages Personal Statement Example 3
This personal statement is unrated. I believe that if everyone spoke each other's languages the world would be a much better place. I would love to study French and Spanish at university because I plan to travel round the world and gain a better understanding of different cultures.I am very interested in the political systems of both countries.

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A blog for students and teachers of Years 11 to 13, and anyone else with an interest in Modern Foreign Languages and Cultures, written by the staff and students of Oxford University. Updated every Wednesday!

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