Optional Language Courses

Sugarglass

Hey, I'm starting as a science student this September and I was wondering what's the deal with the language courses. I did ok in Leaving cert french and I'd like to keep it up, I've just heard some bad things about the extra french course available. So just wanted to know some things like, is it any good? or would it take up too much time? should I even bother, etc

Thanks in advance to anyone who answers.

stesh

You'll find all the information about them here: http://www.tcd.ie/Broad_Curriculum/languagemod/

Personally I wouldn't bother. I've heard some awful things about the language modules from various students, how they're badly-organized and ineffective.

Napoli

I have to agree with the above post. The language classes are packed with naive first years at the beginning of the year but after 2 weeks 90% of the class will have dropped out when they realise how pointless they are. They take place in the evening time when you are wrecked tired after a long day and everybody else has gone home.

Concentrate on your science classes instead. You won't have time to be messing around with trivial language assignments. Or even better, go out to the pub in the evening and socialise like everyone else.

stesh

Napoli wrote: »

I have to agree with the above post. The language classes are packed with naive first years at the beginning of the year but after 2 weeks 90% of the class will have dropped out when they realise how pointless they are. They take place in the evening time when you are wrecked tired after a long day and everybody else has gone home.

Concentrate on your science classes instead. You won't have time to be messing around with trivial language assignments. Or even better, go out to the pub in the evening and socialise like everyone else.

I wouldn't go calling them 'assignments' now...

diluvial

I did the German course in first year. It was okay; the level is really basic, and its on at an awkward time, as people have said, but I came out of it with more German than I had going in, as well as 4 marks towards my end of year mark ( not sure if this applies in sciences tho). I began the next level in 2nd year, but the teacher was dreadful ( she had us watch a film in german with no subtitles in the 2nd week - after 7 years of french I can't watch a film without subtitles!). I don't know whether i'd really recommend it tbh, tho if you get a decent teacher and a decent class, it's not bad and even vaguely fun.

Jammyc

Just wondering, if you did it do you have more of a chance of getting a place on an erasmus?

Acid_Violet

Being a naive first year, I just applied for Beginners Italian but it shouldn't be too much hassle as I think my course is only about 15 hours a week (English and Psychology TSM.)

Dante

I was thinking of aplpying for a French one, but just thinking about it now I know I'd drop out due to laziness!

timmywex

DaaaaaaaaaaN wrote: »

I was thinking of aplpying for a French one, but just thinking about it now I know I'd drop out due to laziness!

Same, i was going to go for a really basic french one then either, did leaving cert french, but thats too much effort aswell

Sugarglass

Have decided not to do it, but was wondering if this makes it more difficult to do an erasmus year. Can you go to England or the States or something if you don't have a european language or what's the deal?

Jammyc

Sugarglass wrote: »

Have decided not to do it, but was wondering if this makes it more difficult to do an erasmus year. Can you go to England or the States or something if you don't have a european language or what's the deal?

Dragging this up. I need to know. Can anyone let us know!

diluvial

Jammyc wrote: »

Dragging this up. I need to know. Can anyone let us know!

I don't know, but I can tell you that the qualification you get is internal to trinity and thus wouldn't be officially recognised by erasmus people, although it would probably help your application. I was under the impression that you don't need a foreign language for erasmus; my friend went to Finland last year knowing no Finnish. But as I said, it may strengthen your application.

Sugarglass

How many people take part in the erasmus year. Is it common, or do only a small minority take part. Is it very competitive to get involved?

Hamiltonion

I went along to intermediate french but dropped it, was on from 6 to 8 and the assignments were quite time consuming, It was all based on project work etc when I was really just looking for classes to improve my spoken/written french, So i got nothing from it

spudz21

Agree with poster above
I went to one or two of the French classes back when was I was in first yr and it was a bit of a waste of time to be honest?! Its extra work on top of your science stuff and you will probably be wrecked in the evenings after lectures all day!
But its up to you whether ya want to do it:Djust my opinion