Super-curricular activities are intellectually enriching pursuits that extend beyond the standard curriculum. Super-curricular activities are essential for applications to top universities, demonstrating commitment and deeper engagement with a chosen subject.
What super-curricular activities should I choose for languages?
If you are applying for a language degree, you will be expected to have explored language and culture beyond the school curriculum. The activities that you undertake can be varied, so you need not feel confined by a prescribed list. Understandably, however, it can be difficult to know where to begin when narrowing down the activities to pursue.
Advice for Choosing Super-Curricular Activities for Languages
When choosing super-curricular activities for languages, consider the following:
- Interest and passion: Select activities that genuinely interest you. This will not only make you enthusiastic about dedicating time to them but will also make you appear convincing if asked to discuss them at interview. Do you enjoy watching Mexican soap operas, for example? You could start researching their economic and cultural impact, or analyse their narrative structure and themes.
- Quality over quantity: There is no rule regarding how varied the super-curricular activities need to be. In fact, it is a common misconception that you have to be 鈥渨ell-rounded鈥�. Instead, illustrating that you have been immersing yourself in a narrow range of interests is more advisable.
- Relevance to your studies: Each university course is different, but where possible, look to hone your super-curricular activities to suit your university of choice. If you apply to study languages at Oxford, for example, the course has a strong literature component. As such, reading several books in the target language is essential.
- Authentic experiences: One of the advantages of studying languages is the opportunity it affords to travel and connect with people all over the world. Take advantage of this and travel abroad. This will solidify your understanding on cultural issues and will accelerate your language learning.
- Avoid obvious choices: Certain super-curricular activities that might once have been unusual have now become clich茅. For instance, many applications for Spanish mention an interest in magical realism in South American literature, so mentioning the same will not help your application stand out. It is important to incorporate your own individual perspectives and insights on issues.
What are the best languages super-curricular activities to choose for university applications?
With the above advice in mind, below are some ideas for the types of activities you could choose.
- Essay competitions: There are a number of essay competitions available for languages, including the . Essay titles encourage you to research elements of language and culture and require the use of a range references, demanding robust research. Participating in these competitions raises your academic profile and is a valuable addition to your application.
- Translation competitions: Translation activities, , are well-regarded. They evidence expertise on language and cultural idiosyncrasies. Questions about the purpose and effectiveness of translation are frequently asked in Oxbridge interviews. Referencing your own translation experience highlights your engagement with these debates.
- Lectures: Lectures provide a direct conduit to expert knowledge and insights. Attending lectures on topics such as linguistic analysis, literature and politics can greatly enrich your academic profile and understanding of complex issues.
- Debating: Participating in debating competitions requires fluency and eloquence in the target language. It challenges you to express complex ideas, argue persuasively and think critically. It can also provide an opportunity to network with other language students.
- Volunteering: Volunteering abroad shows your commitment to making a meaningful impact on local communities. Many students opt to volunteer by teaching English, however you can also explore other areas of interest, such as art, environmental conservation and community development. Numerous organisations specialise in coordinating the logistics of volunteering, so you need not organise this yourself.
- Internships: Internships offer fascinating opportunities to live and work abroad. Don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out to organisations in a particular discipline of interest. For example, you could take on an internship at a publishing house, translation company, or even government office.
- Language schools: Language schools provide an immersive environment where you are surrounded by the target language, improving your proficiency prior to interview. These schools provide the chance to study and interact with peers from diverse backgrounds worldwide.
- Book clubs: In your Oxbridge interview, you are typically tasked to analyse a literary text. Engaging in discussions with like-minded individuals within a book club tailored to your reading preferences鈥� such as a Latin American Literature or French women writers 鈥攑rovides essential practice for your interview.
What are the benefits of Super-Curricular Activities for Languages?
By carefully selecting and participating in language super-curricular activities, you not only enhance your university application, but also gain skills and experiences that will enrich your academic journey and future career prospects.
- Enhanced Language Proficiency: Engaging in super-curricular activities improves your language proficiency. Whether working or volunteering abroad, you acquire every day, practical phrases as well as workplace lexica. This immersion in the language enriches your vocabulary, giving you a distinct advantage when starting university, as you'll already be familiar with a broad range of terms and expressions.
- Cultural Understanding: Super-curricular activities can involve immersion in the culture associated with the language. This deeper cultural understanding enhances your appreciation of global diversity and improves your ability to communicate effectively in different cultural contexts.
- Personal Growth and Confidence: Speaking in another language can be daunting. If you live abroad, it also requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Embracing these challenges fosters personal growth and boosts confidence.
- Critical Thinking and Analysis: Activities like reading literature, attending seminars or participating in discussions encourage critical thinking and analytical skills. These are valuable in any field of study or career.
- Networking Opportunities: Participating in language clubs, exchange programs and workshops allows you to meet like-minded individuals, professionals and mentors. These connections can provide support, inspiration and potential career opportunities.
- Career Prospects: Proficiency in a second language is a highly desirable skill in the global job market. Employers value candidates who can communicate in multiple languages and understand different cultures, making you more competitive in various career fields.
Recommended Languages Online Resources
Spanish
French
Italian
German
Recommended Language Books
Spanish
- , Carmen Laforet
- , 脕ngeles Mastretta
- , Mario Vargas Llosa
French
- Zola novels: , ,
- L, Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
- , Le茂la Slimani
- , Romain Gary
Italian
- , Ignazio Silone
- , Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
- , Natalia Ginzburg
- , Carlo Levi
German
- , Alfred D枚blin
- , Hans Fallada
- , Theodor Fontane
Recommended Language Podcast & YouTube Channels
Spanish
Youtube
Podcast
French
YouTube
Podcast
Italian
YouTube
Podcast
German
YouTube
Podcast
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