Test taken: MLAT

Number of interviews: 3

Skype interview: No

Time between each interview: 1 day

For my beginners' language interview for my college (I had an 'intermediate' language level since I had a GCSE in German already but didn't complete an A-Level qualification) I was asked to read out a short letter in German, and then asked what I thought it said. I went through it quite slowly and the tutors were extremely helpful and didn't expect me to know all the vocab. When I got stuck on what something said they helped me figure out the meaning from the context. During that interview I was also asked why I wanted to study German at degree level and why I was interested in the culture. It was very relaxed and personal - not super academic and I wasn't expected to have a lot of knowledge of the language, just a genuine interest in it (e.g. we talked briefly about what had been on the news a few days before).

In another beginners' language interview (for the University as a whole) I was asked If I have ever read anything in German - since I only had a GCSE in the language I was a bit surprised by the question, but I said that I had read some old comics which I found online, and that I had mostly read them in translation (in English) but that I really enjoyed them since they were one of the first types of 'comics' for children written at the time. I was asked if I had ever been to Germany before, and I answered no but that I would really like to go. I was then asked to speak in German with a tutor, only for a few minutes, about where I would like to go if I had the opportunity. With my broken German I had a go at talking about where I'd love to go - and ended up sort of inventing a word because I didn't know the exact name of the place... When they realised what I meant I think they appreciated that I didn't give up and tried to use the (limited!) knowledge I already had to make myself understood. :)

For my French interview (post A-level) I remember discussing a short passage which we were asked to read - I was asked about the themes / what I thought the meaning of some parts were, and also the 'movement' of the passage; I didn't know what exactly that meant and felt slightly embarrassed, but I just asked for clarification and the tutors were really understanding and explained what they meant with no problems. I was also briefly asked about the books which I had put on my personal statement and what I found interesting about the way they were written. I also had a very short (maybe only 5-10 minute?) conversation in French with one of the tutors about what the book was about.

I practised using the past papers, and revised grammar from A-level classes.

I made sure that I remembered what I had put on my personal statement so that I wouldn't be surprised if they asked me about a book that I had read a while ago. Also, because I was applying for a language degree, I made sure that I knew a bit about current events (basically just watching the news / Googling things). My school French teacher went through a poem with me so that I could practise analysing things, which I found very helpful since I hadn't had to practise that skill since GCSE English. I had also generally gone over GCSE vocabulary and grammar which I was interviewing for my 'beginners' language'.

I found the interviews to be much less structured than I had expected - the tutors asked friendly, general questions to begin with and then we sort of used my answers as a spring-board. They really wanted to know why I thought a certain thing or what made me interpret something that way.

I think that the best advice I was given was that the tutors know that you have the academic potential from past/predicted grades, submitted work etc, so they are just looking for people who would really benefit from the tutorial system - discussing ideas and feeling confident enough to give your opinions, ask questions if you feel you need it, and have a go at explaining what you mean. I know the 'interview experience' can seem a bit intimidating, but going in with an open mind and a smile on your face is a great way to relax and show the tutors the real you.