PhD Language Requirement

[Wishful112]

I was wondering how others are planning to fulfill the standard English PhD second language requirement. Is Rosetta Stone a good option? I personally have not taken a language since high school (though I did take four years) so I'm feeling a bit rusty/behind. Any suggestions?

[latetothegame]

I'm hoping I can audit some language classes or that the school I'm going to attend will have some kind of special training in reading of foreign languages for doctoral students. My husband took such a class at Columbia in one semester just before he defended and was able to pass the reading exam Okay. I will have to show reading proficiency in two languages or fluency in one for my degree so I think I'll have to start from scratch with German -- which is exciting but angst-inducing.

[teaganc]

I took a few classes at a local community college to be able to pass a second language requirement (though for the first, I had minored in a language in undergrad, and just went into the test assuming I'd pass). The classes were cheap and though they were reasonably boring, at least I was able to finish 8 credits in one summer.

[jasper.milvain]

I have enough French to challenge the test, but I have to learn German from scratch as well. I'm hoping that there will be a reading course. I've always been interested in German, and I'm looking forward to learning to read it. Also looking forward to not having to learn to speak it.

[Yellow#5]

Here's an old thread I started on Rossetta Stone where other members made some helpful suggestions.

viewtopic.php?f=56&t=15349&p=65877&hilit=rosetta#p65877

[evsnow113]

bump. I'm feeling a little rusty, too. Are any of you prepping for 1 or 2 language exams before you enter your MA/PhD programs? Tips? I was thinking of using workbooks/CDs until I can afford some local 10-week language classes.

Edited April 3, 2012 by evsnow113

[JeremiahParadise]

My MA language exam -- which I hear is similar to many others, but not all -- was to translate part of a critical essay on Madame Bovary in 1 hour. It was three pages or so, written in French, and I got to use a French/English dictionary. I didn't study or prepare more than a day or two, and I hadn't had any French since freshman year of college. I passed first time. Now, as for the PhDs at my school, I believe they had to do something similar, but I'm not totally sure -- maybe a longer translation x 2 languages? I imagine that's all it was. To prepare, I'd recommend looking at verb tenses/conjugations -- assuming most programs do something similar to mine, you can look up unfamiliar words, but whether or not you can translate/conjugate verbs correctly into English is another story. No matter what you do, though, I appreciate how far ahead you're looking! Good luck with all your prep, foreign language-related or otherwise.

[harvardlonghorn]

I have copies/examples of previously administered language exams from Harvard's grad department. PM me if you want me to email you a copy. The two languages are Spanish and Italian, but it will at least give you an idea of what the language exams look like. I'm already fluent in Spanish but trying to decide between learning French or Italian. I've heard that for Spanish speakers, French is easier to learn but I am a little skeptical of this. I went to Italy for a few weeks and was able to communicate with Italian speakers, even though I was speaking Spanish and they were speaking Italian. After looking over the Italian language exam, I felt like I could probably take an Italian reading/translation course and get through the exam. I looked at the French language exam and it was Greek to me

[harvardlonghorn]

bump. I'm feeling a little rusty, too. Are any of you prepping for 1 or 2 language exams before you enter your MA/PhD programs? Tips? I was thinking of using workbooks/CDs until I can afford some local 10-week language classes.

I am in a Masters program (which doesn't have a language requirement), but I am prepping before I enter a Phd program. I was planning on taking a language course in a third language the semester after I submit PhD applications. It's not something I need to worry about before submitting applications. I bought an Italian/English dictionary and a couple workbooks from Barnes and Noble. Like my GRE workbooks, they have been sitting on my coffee table untouched.

[waparys]

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread but I had a quick language-related question. Should we mention language skills in our statement of purpose, or will it be apparent from other areas of the application like resume or transcript?

[Stately Plump]

I had a section of my CV--actually, the last section of my CV--that mentioned my language skills. It was very brief, just an overview of my preparation. It's a fairly standard part of the CV.

I wouldn't mention it in your statement of purpose unless language is a fundamental part of your application. If you are interested in Renaissance French, for example, I would make it clear that you are nearly fluent in French and translation won't be an issue. Otherwise, I wouldn't waste precious space in the SOP talking about something that is ultimately a very, very minor part of your application.

[Phil Sparrow]

I'd mention it if you are an aspiring medievalist or early modernist (especially Latin for those two fields), or intend to study anything else that would be heavy on languages (e.g., Caribbean lit). It's not a small part of the application for certain specialties, and in fact is very important for many of them. I mentioned my languages, and ongoing study of them, in my SOP as well as on my C.V., and everywhere I was accepted mentioned my language study as a big plus. You can be brief about it, though.

[Magical Realist]

For what it's worth, I just went to pay a visit to the DGS at a fairly large and well-respected institution. We were discussing my comp lit application, and she had made a suggestion to apply to a couple English Departments with Comparatist bent as well. One thing she mentioned there was that my language skills would be more distinguishing in an English department.

Also, to bring it back to the initial thread a little, I would suggest looking for tutors, etc online. Many will do it via Skype. I am currently working with one such tutor to strengthen my 3rd language. Her fees are more reasonable, and she can be responsive to my needs and learning style. Plus, at least for me, paying a lump sum out-of-pocket for a class at a local institution was unreasonable, and most classes in my language of interest were only offered during daytime hours. Needless to say, my boss would not have been pleased (or accommodating). As such, this is a great substitute--I use the same textbooks, and my syllabus is loosely modeled after college-level classes, and, I pay a month at a time. A win, win, win.

[Texsox]

I am in a MA program now and the language requirement for a PhD has been the monster in the closet. I've been avoiding opening the door to discover I will never make it. I worked in Mexco for a couple years and my coworkers begged me to stop trying to speak Spanish. It took me two years to earn one year of credits for h.s. French. If only sign language was an option.

[ProfLorax]

If only sign language was an option.

Look into Ohio State! They have a thriving Disability Studies program and ASL program. I imagine they would be happy to allow sign language as an option. I know that I am sticking with ASL; since my main interest is feminist disability studies, I feel like it's the language most applicable to my field.