Graduates

Language Training

Language training provided by the Faculty

You may need to consolidate your knowledge of ancient or modern languages needed for your research. The Faculty offers graduates classes in a number of modern languages and Medieval Latin. Consult your supervisor if you are not sure which languages you need. Please note that registration for language classes has now closed.

If you complete and submit the online form, assume that you will be taking whatever classes you have signed up for and that you will be expected to attend every session. Do not wait for any note of confirmation, but ensure that you attend the first session of your chosen language class.

View the current schedule

Beginners' French and German

The Faculty provides classes for beginners in French and German. However, these are intended for persons starting on a PhD or aiming to work towards a PhD after completion of their MPhil course. They are not suitable for those taking only an MPhil, since adequate reading knowledge will not have been gained in time for it to be of use in the writing of their dissertation.

Students are advised that the aim of the German classes is to enable them to read German as quickly as possible, rather than to provide a thorough grounding in grammar; points of grammar will be consolidated and further points introduced during the second term. Students should therefore not be deterred by the apparent steepness of the learning curve in the first term. Beginners’ German classes will be held weekly throughout the Michaelmas and Lent Terms.

Beginners’ French classes will start after the end of the Michaelmas Term for the Intensive Course from 1-5 December 2011 and then before the beginning of the Lent Term from 12-15 January 2012. Those wishing to apply should fill in the online form just as for the other languages, and should automatically attend the first and subsequent sessions.

Intermediate French, intermediate German and Italian

We will provide weekly classes this year in Michaelmas and Lent Terms in the above languages. These classes are intended for students who could not do their proposed research topic without this instruction. Only students who need them should register, although others may join the classes if they are not over-subscribed.

Latin

Latin Classes are provided by the University Lecturer in Post-Classical Latin, Dr Neil Wright. Medievalists attend his Intensive Latin course in September. If you are a non-medievalist who would - with your supervisor's approval - like to attend his Latin for Non-Classicists course in the Michaelmas Term, you should get in touch with Dr Wright at the very beginning of Michaelmas Full Term as attendance at the first session is compulsory. Alternatively, you may wish to attend the Consolidation Latin course the first session of which takes place in early October.

The following classes can only be offered if interest is sufficient. Students from departments and faculties other than History may attend these classes with permission of the teacher and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Language Tuition provided by the University

Russian and other languages

The University provides classes in Russian. For these see the Lecture List issue of The Reporter under Modern and Medieval Languages. Instruction in other languages may be obtained informally through the Language Centre.

Beginners and Intermediate courses in a wide-range of Modern Languages are provided free to students by the University’s Language Centre. At the Language Centre you can:

Join the Cambridge University Language Programme (CULP) in the Michaelmas and Long Vacation terms in Mandarin Chinese, Russian, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Arabic.
Get help with your English by joining our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in-sessional course.
Brush up or learn a language from scratch in the John Trim Centre – with a choice of over 170 languages using language learning programmes, CD-ROMS and other online resources.
Watch satellite TV currently in 12 languages and foreign language films, many with subtitles.
Discuss your learning needs and plan your individual programme with a member of the advising team.
Practise your speaking skills by joining our conversation exchange scheme.

English language support

The Cambridge University Language Centre runs a programme on 'English for Academic Purposes'. Its focus is on assisting students in improving their advanced study skills to meet the demands of independent learning at university; refining the style and accuracy of their writing to reflect the high Cambridge standards and paperwriting conventions; extending their ability to listen to lectures and other speech situations efficiently participating confidently and appropriately in high-calibre seminars and supervisions. The course prepares students for the varying roles and responsibilities involved in life at university. It also acquaints students with British culture through an integrated Social programme and interaction with the Cambridge community.

There is a charge payable. Details can be obtained from the Language Centre. The Faculty regrets that it cannot support the payment for the course, except in entirely exceptional circumstances, in which a supported case would have to be made to the Director of Graduate Studies for presentation to the Degree Committee. PhD students should note that they can make an application to Faculty Graduate Funds – see section 8 of this booklet - for this provision although it is not guaranteed that it will be approved.

Student initiated provision (available to PhD students only)

Courses outside Cambridge

Not all languages are catered for by the University’s Language Centre.

For some Asian and African languages students may need to attend courses provided by the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Full details of these courses may be found at http://www.soas.ac.uk.

Students may apply for reimbursement of up to the full cost of a course taken in a language not taught in the University of Cambridge which is available in another University. An application for travel costs may also be admissible in such cases. Since funds are limited, it may not be possible to cover the full costs applied for in all cases.

For details of how to claim reimbursement are here.

Supervisions in Advanced Language Skills

Supervisions in advanced or specialist language training are also eligible for some funding support from Faculty Graduate Funds. This includes specialist training in palaeography and reading skills.

After consulting with the PhD supervisor, the student should arrange supervisions with an appropriate language teacher.

Students may make applications for reimbursement of up to four individual or group one hour supervisions at the standard supervision rates.

Details of how to claim reimbursement are here. Note: receipts must be submitted with all applications.

This funding is not available at beginners’ level in any of the languages for which classes are provided by the History Faculty or the University Language Centre.