Languages

[Mr. Study]

Hey guys!

Just weighing up my options for next year and I would really love to do a language.

Would anyone be able to tell me how languages are taught at university? Would you say rote learning is necessary?

If you have done a VCE - LOTE, Would you be able to tell me the differences between VCE and University?

Someone told me that languages at university are amazing but I just would like some other opinions.

Thanks!

[RTandon]

I would also like to know this.
I'm thinking of doing French, or maybe Chinese. I'm leaning more towards French, but let's see.

[pyro-53]

Also what happen if you're starting as a beginner? Will it add more to your uni's workload?

[aabattery]

Languages at uni IS amazing (for me at least!)

I can only tell from my experience at Monash - not sure how Melbourne works, but I'm sure it is similar.

Uni languages start at different levels. If you haven't learnt the language at all, you start as a beginner (Level 1). If you have done a lang at VCE level, you would start at a higher level (they give you a very short assessment test at the beginning of the year to check your level) - either Level 3 or Level 5.
If you do a language in an Arts degree, it is just like completeing any Arts major. If you are not studying Arts, you can pick up a diploma of languages - in that language: this adds to your workload - ie you would have to overload (do 5 subjects instead of 4 in a semester). You need approval from your managing faculty to do a diploma as well.

[saheh]

This is something I'd love to do too...do you know if it's possible to do your course at one Uni, and then pick up a diploma of language outside, like at another Uni or course provider?

[Fyrefly]

ie you would have to overload (do 5 subjects instead of 4 in a semester).

This is incorrect. Standard approach is that you study a normal load of 4 units a semester, but it takes you an extra year to graduate. Non-Arts students generally also have a few electives to play with, which offers an alternative way to fit in some language study without having to do a full-blown diploma.

[brenden]

There's also a really awesome intensive Latin course for 7 weeks before the semester at Melb, worth 12 Monash points. (Totally doing it) if anyone was interested in that.

[EvangelionZeta]

There's also a really awesome intensive Latin course for 7 weeks before the semester at Melb, worth 12 Monash points. (Totally doing it) if anyone was interested in that.

I'm actually considering that one!

[brenden]

There's also a really awesome intensive Latin course for 7 weeks before the semester at Melb, worth 12 Monash points. (Totally doing it) if anyone was interested in that.

I'm actually considering that one!

I thought it was only for beginners?

[EvangelionZeta]

There's also a really awesome intensive Latin course for 7 weeks before the semester at Melb, worth 12 Monash points. (Totally doing it) if anyone was interested in that.

I'm actually considering that one!

I thought it was only for beginners?

I am a beginner :p (I've done the first half of that course at ANU, but I cbf'd out of completing it, lol)

[brenden]

There's also a really awesome intensive Latin course for 7 weeks before the semester at Melb, worth 12 Monash points. (Totally doing it) if anyone was interested in that.

I'm actually considering that one!

I thought it was only for beginners?

I am a beginner :p (I've done the first half of that course at ANU, but I cbf'd out of completing it, lol)

Ooooh cool, yeah do it! Then we can go talk in #latin and I can feed off of your knowledge.

[sodapop]

There's also a really awesome intensive Latin course for 7 weeks before the semester at Melb, worth 12 Monash points. (Totally doing it) if anyone was interested in that.

That sounds awesome! How would you apply as a year 12 graduate (who might not be going to UniMelb)?

[brenden]

There's also a really awesome intensive Latin course for 7 weeks before the semester at Melb, worth 12 Monash points. (Totally doing it) if anyone was interested in that.

That sounds awesome! How would you apply as a year 12 graduate (who might not be going to UniMelb)?

I haven't got that far yet
I was going to call them or something.

[aabattery]

ie you would have to overload (do 5 subjects instead of 4 in a semester).

This is incorrect. Standard approach is that you study a normal load of 4 units a semester, but it takes you an extra year to graduate. Non-Arts students generally also have a few electives to play with, which offers an alternative way to fit in some language study without having to do a full-blown diploma.

Apologies. Didn't know that that was the standard approach! The few students I know doing languages are all overloading or its part of their degree - Arts or otherwise due to electives as mentioned.

[saheh]

I'm so interested in doing this. Except how do you go abut doing it when your uni doesn't offer it??
What are some good places that offer it online/outside normal school hours or something??
I'd love to do French or some European language