More than one year before you begin the application process, you should determine whether you will need to learn additional languages to advance to candidacy. While you can certainly study languages while completing your graduate coursework, I guarantee that your application will be more attractive, and your coursework and research less stressful, if you’ve already started the process of language acquisition. Explore different options for learning languages: if you’re still an undergrad, participate in study abroad. If you can, spend a summer (or more) working or vacationing in a different country. Take language courses. Engage a tutor. Acquire children’s books in different languages and read yourself to sleep!
The programs to which I applied listed on their websites the number of total languages required to qualify to write your dissertation, but some, like SUNY Stony Brook, state that they prefer relative fluency in both French and German at the time of application. So if, in the year before you apply to school, you can gain basic reading knowledge in a desired language, your application will improve drastically! Some programs still require a Classical language, although this seems to be less and less common (and in most cases you can now substitute an additional disciplinary focus). Because I’ve known for several years that I’d need French and German for my degree, I employed a few useful tactics to acquire the necessary fluency before applying. Some of these could work for you, so read on…
First, I had learned French as a child, and to keep it up, I found a part-time job tutoring high school French. This job consisted mostly of threatening and bribing my impressively stubborn students. Tutoring a language you have some fluency in is great because it gives you pseudo-teaching experience and solidifies your knowledge of essential grammar rules.
Second, I made a point of giving conference presentations in France (see my discussion of conference work as a crucial way to beef up your experience and résumé in Step #1). This travel helped me to practice discussing academic work with peers in French.
Third, I took a basic German course with Berlitz. Berlitz is incredibly overpriced, far beyond the budget of anyone following Step #1, so a course like this is impossible to sustain. So after my basic course, I bought more materials on my own and hired a tutor. In one year, I have acquired basic conversational skills and can understand most dialogue in German films.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comments:
I like this language acquisition advice. You might consider that this advice, and resumé advice, really begin prior to the actual application procedure, even in high school. I would "sell" this book by saying it is for anyone who want to apply for Phd -or- dreams of it in the far future. Your experiences volunteering at the Turtle Museum may be relevant. Also, if you didn't already say it, I would really stress, and give extensive examples of working for non-profits like Women in Transition, etc. or, say, The League of Women Voters. -Isobel
Post a Comment