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Open Day Videos

We have created online versions of the talks we normally give at the Modern Languages Open Day. These cover: an overview of Modern Languages at Oxford; Joint Schools degrees; Studying Literature; Studying a Beginners' Language; An Introduction to Linguistics; Careers; and the Student Perspective, as well as some Q&A sessions. You can see a playlist of these talks here.

We also have playlists relating to the study of specific languages, with staff and student insights into the courses we offer. You can find a playlist for Russian and Slavonic languages here and one for Spanish and Portuguese here. German has a showcase page here.

 

Virtual Book Club

In 2018 and 2019 we ran a virtual book club. Click here to see an archive of some of the episodes.

  • French. An extract from Suzanne Dracius's La Virago

  • German. Franz Kafka's short story 'Der Kaufmann'

  • Spanish. An extract from Lope de Vega's El castigo sin venganza

  • Italian. An extract from Italo Calvino's Le Città invisibili

 

Literary Skills

We run an annual masterclass in literary skills for sixth-formers who are studying French, German, or Spanish in local state schools. However, if you are not based in Oxfordshire and would still be interested in some of the content of this masterclass, you might like to view our recorded introductions to some key literary features. These introductions give an overview of the skills covered during the masterclass.

 

What's it like to study Languages at Oxford?

We've grouped together a collection of videos that explore Medieval and Modern Languages at Oxford, covering topics like an introduction to the subject and joint degrees with Modern Languages, the Oxford tutorial, and the admissions process, including the interview. Check them out here.

 

Why Languages?

In January 2018, the Medieval and Modern Languages team  had the pleasure of meeting a group of Year 9 students from several schools across Oxfordshire for an afternoon of languages workshops. At the end of the afternoon, Dr Simon Kemp, who teaches French at Somerville College, gave us an overview of Modern Languages at university. If you are considering languages as an option at degree level, take a look below at Simon’s presentation…

Spanish Literature Podcast

Thinking about applying for Modern Languages at university? Listen in on our conversations with Spanish tutors at Oxford to find out what’s so fascinating about the literature they teach, why they love teaching it, and why they think you might love it too.

 

Les Liaisons dangereuses Podcast

Choderlos de Laclos's eighteenth-century epistolary novel, Les Liaisons dangereuses, has been intriguing audiences since 1782, and has been adapted into different media many times. It is also one of the core texts studied by students of French in their first year of an Oxford degree. In this podcast series, Prof. Catriona Seth, Marshal Foch Professor of French Literature at All Souls College, and Catriona Oliphant, founder of Chrome Radio, delve into the text, covering topics like: an introduction to the novel; a discussion about the art of deception (in French); an interview with Christopher Hampton, writer of the celebrated stage version of the novel and the famous film adaptation starring Glenn Close and John Malkovich; a contemporary take on the novel, including interviews with Philippa Stockley, who wrote a modern sequel to the novel, and Marc Olivier, who wrote a version for Twitter; and a conversation about how the novel has been taken up by other cultures beyond France.

 

Oxford German Network Resources

The Oxford German Network runs an annual essay prize for sixth formers on a classic work of German literature. To accompany this, they create and collect a series of videos connected to the work in question. Click here for a playlist about Goethe's Faust, here for a playlist about Schiller's Maria Stuart, and here for a playlist about Hoffmann's 'Der Sandmann'.

 

Creative Multilingualism Resources

The Creative Multilingualism programme creates resources that emphasise the role of creativity in language learning. Teachers may find the links below of interest when planning creative lessons:

  • Linguamania, the podcast about creativity in language learning.

  • We are Children of the World - most suitable for Key Stage 2. Creative Multilingualism commissioned a choral piece by composer Lin Marsh, in order to showcase the many diverse languages spoken in UK schools. The piece features folk songs in seven different languages: Arabic, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Swahili and Urdu. Here are all the resources you need to teach the song, including musical score, backing track and Powerpoint guides to learning the piece, which teach you each section of the song line-by-line. You're free to use and perform the song – all they ask is that you let them know when you do use it by emailing.

  • The Multilingual Performance Project aims to build confidence among MFL teachers in conducting creative work in school, increasing awareness of the creative dimension of languages, and generating enthusiasm for language learning. You can find out more about the project here or download a starter pack here.

  • A collaboration with the Oxford Playhouse led to a workshop on multilingual drama activities. You can watch videos of these activities here. These simple drama exercises can easily be adapted for reinforcing vocabulary or encouraging listening skills. They are most suitable for Key Stage 3 but are quite flexible.

  • Babel: Adventures in Translation. In collaboration with the Bodleian Library, Creative Multilingualism put together an exhibition that shows the fundamental role of translation in shaping history and culture. A teacher's guide suggests questions and activities connected to some of the items exhibited, which you may wish to use in the classroom. There are also worksheets exploring three of the themes in the exhibition: translating Cinderella; translating fables; and translating nonsense.

  • Teaching guides for creating short films in any language. Teaching guides and resources (available in 4 different languages) help to support teachers and students to make short films in any language, using free and easily accessible equipment. The guides include information on how to script, shoot, edit and subtitle a film.

  • Creative poetry exercises for schools. The exercises explored in these videos aim to help inspire and encourage creative poetry writing in schools. They work particularly well in multicultural schools where pupils speak many different languages and help to demonstrate how languages can be used as a tool for creativity.