Language question

[Zuljanah]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently in a MA program in Religious Studies, and I've been participating in an ancient Greek reading group for the past year (it's not an "official" class, more like an extracurricular). Would this "count" for language experience when I apply for PhD programs (ancient Greek is important for my research interests). Or do I need "proof" on my transcript? 

I already took three years of ancient Greek during my undergrad so I thought it would unnecessary to do any more classes. So basically I'm asking what counts as evidence of language ability? 

Thanks!!

[Sandmaster]

I would say yes it counts. Not every experience you "have" is an in-classroom experience. I would talk about it in your personal statement if you feel it is important to your research interests.

[xypathos]

This will depend on where you end up. In general, yes it counts. From my limited experience if you have experience with a language (self taught, for example) but nothing on your transcript, then generally the department will have you take a language exam. Sometimes even with something on your transcript they'll make you take the exam and some departments take students at their word (I've seen this for French and German only, not for Hebrew or Greek for NT/OT students).

[Rabbit Run]

You will have proof of your 3 years of undergrad coursework in Greek on your BA transcript too though. A line in your SOP about that and your current participation in the reading group is the best plan as things stand now.

[sacklunch]

You should be fine. But if you studied, say koine only, and you are applying to ancient history programs, then no, I would say that isn't enough. But I'm sure this isn't the case (as it rarely is for those in RS).