Personal Statement:French and Spanish 7

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Languages have been an extremely important part of my life ever since my first visit to Paris in 2005 where I was fascinated by Parisian art, culture and lifestyle. Ever since then I have been eager to learn more about foreign culture which an extended knowledge of the language can facilitate. I have immersed myself into not only the academic side of language study, but also the more cultural, social and everyday aspects which I have found to be equally important. Having expanded from French and Spanish - my most advanced languages - I studied and completed Italian GCSE independently in five months and completed Book One of the Cambridge Latin Course, both of which required a considerable amount of initiative and self-motivation.

Studying French at A level has been thoroughly enjoyable. As my linguistic capability has advanced I have been able to read a combination of contemporary and nineteenth century novels in French. My favourite authors include Flaubert, Saint-Exupéry and Camus. I particularly enjoy Camus' absurdist philosophy which explores Meursault's lack of purpose to life in L'étranger. It also gives a subtle but deep insight into French-Algerian society in the 1940s which has inspired me to complete an in-depth study into the decolonisation of the French Empire for my Extended Project.

I am extremely excited about the possibility of studying languages at university and look forward to further embracing the opportunities that will become available.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Studying French at A level has been thoroughly enjoyable. In order to experience everyday French life and to develop my oral skills further, I completed a week's work experience in Nancy at La Passerelle - Ecole Maternelle. The experience was not only linguistically beneficial; it also gave me a great insight into the education of younger age groups in France. This has inspired my career ambition to work as a teacher in Spain or France. For my oral exam, I discussed the arts and their impact in Paris. Having visited several of Paris' art galleries, it was a delight to be able to talk about the style and uniqueness of Parisian art and architecture.

Spanish is a unique language in the sense of the vast world of culture it makes accessible. At A level I have enjoyed studying Spanish heritage which has opened my eyes to the complexity of the twentieth century in Spain. The impact of Franco's dictatorship on Spanish culture is extremely interesting, particularly regarding the repressed literary scene. Having read Las Bicicletas Son Para El Verano, I have discovered more about the experience of the Civil War from a civilian point of view. Fernán Gomez deals particularly well with the fear and then disillusionment felt by the Spanish population during the war. In order to learn more about Spanish society during the Second Republic I read Lorca's three tragedies. In Spanish cinema, I enjoy the films of José Luis Cuerda and Guillermo Del Toro and particularly like La Lengua de las Mariposas for its depiction of the instability that led to the Civil War.

A level English Language has also aided my language studies. Through the subject I have acquired linguistic skills and terminology which have directly increased my achievement in French and Spanish. I have also developed a strong interest for the study of linguistics and an understanding of its importance in language learning. The personal organisation and writing skills I am acquiring through the Extended Project qualification have developed my writing and research which are now more sophisticated and structured. In History, in-depth analysis of sources and their provenances has further enhanced my ability to write critical and logical essays which is crucial across my studies.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

Being a student representative for the modern languages department has provided me with the opportunity to represent others for a subject I feel passionate about. The position has developed my communication skills and ability to work with and for other people.

Having expanded from French and Spanish, I studied and completed Italian GCSE independently in five months and completed Book One of the Cambridge Latin Course, both of which required a considerable amount of initiative and self-motivation. These experiences have honed my self-discipline and independent learning abilities, which will be valuable for university study.

Additionally, the cultural immersion aspects, such as my work experience in France and the extensive reading of literature and film from French and Spanish cultures, have provided me with practical insights that complement my academic work and help me understand the languages in their real-world contexts.

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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