These notes describe the admissions procedure and the teaching of Modern Languages at Queens', and should be read in conjunction with the relevant sections of the Cambridge University Undergraduate Prospectus.

The Course

The Tripos has a complex structure which allows for the study of all languages (except French which is only taught post A-level) either post A-level or from scratch.  Students normally take either two languages post A-level or one language post A-level and one new language.  In the first year (Part IA), both languages must be studied, and in the second year (Part IB), while there is a certain amount of freedom of choice, a language begun from scratch must be continued.  The third year is spent abroad.  In the fourth year (Part II), students can choose either to specialise in one language or to continue with both.  The balance between language work and the literary and linguistic options varies according to the year, with more practical language study being done at first.  Cambridge has a very wide range of specialised options in literary, linguistic, historical, philological and comparative fields, and the choice amongst these increases steadily from the first year onwards.  The complete list of options may be consulted in the Cambridge University `Guide to Courses'. 

The year abroad may be spent either as an English Language Assistant, or as a student at a foreign University, or working in a job approved by the Faculty.

Linguistics

Linguistics can be studied within the Modern Languages Tripos or,after the first or second year as a Tripos in its own right, the main difference being that the year abroad is available only within the Modern Languages Tripos.

Admission

Queens' takes about ten students to read Modern Languages each year, although the number can vary by two or three either way, depending on the strength of the applicants in a particular year.

Applicants for Modern Languages who are made conditional offers following interview, are not normally required to take any STEP or S papers.  The usual conditional offer is one of A, A, A at A-level (with appropriate equivalents in other examinations). One of the A-levels taken must be a modern foreign language; otherwise, the choice of subjects is not of great importance.  In particular, it is not necessary for applicants to have taken two languages

There is no special advantage in doing four A-levels rather than three from our point of view.  Applicants are encouraged to take a gap year between school and university and to use this time to travel or work abroad.  Experience shows that modern linguists who take time off in this way perform much better in the Modern Languages Part IA examinations, where a firm practical knowledge of the language is required.  It also seems to be the case that students who have taken a gap year before coming up to university gain considerably in maturity of outlook.

College Teaching

Queens' currently has three College Lecturers in Modern Languages: Dr Pountain (Director of Studies, who teaches Spanish, Portuguese and Linguistics), Dr Crowley (Assistant Director of Studies, who teaches modern French literature) and Dr Catani (modern French Literature).  There is a resident Spanish/Catalan Lector.  Fellows of other Colleges are Assistant Directors of Studies in German and Italian for Queens'.  It is always possible to make arrangements for the teaching of other languages.

In the first year, students will receive an average of three College Supervisions and four University language classes per week.  They may also expect to attend up to six hours of lectures.  A priority is to  acquire a good reading speed in foreign languages.

The University Language Centre runs beginners’ and intermediate courses in French, German, Spanish and Italian for non-linguists under the Cambridge University Language Programme (CULP).

For further information visit the faculty website: www.mml.cam.ac.uk

January 2003