Modern Greek Section
Other Courses
Certificate and Diploma
The University examinations for the Certificate and Diploma in Modern Languages are open to students of any Faculty. The standard required for the Certificate is somewhat higher than A level; the Diploma corresponds to the standard required for Papers B1 and B2 (post-A level) in Part IA of the Modern and Medieval Languages Tripos. For both qualifications there are two written examination papers, taken in May, one of three hours and one of two hours. The 3-hour 'use of Modern Greek' paper tests your knowledge of Greek grammar and syntax; the two-hour paper is a translation test. There is also a compulsory oral examination, which is taken in May for the Certificate, and at the beginning of the Easter Term for the Diploma. For further details of the written examinations please consult the past papers (below).
In 2012-13 the Certificate and Diploma courses will both be offered.
To download pdf files of past exam papers for the Certificate and the Diploma please
click on the links:
Certificate Papers
- 2006 Paper GRA1, Use of Greek
- 2007 Paper GRA1, Use of Greek
- 2008 Paper GRA1, Use of Greek
- 2009 Paper GRA1, Use of Greek
- 2010 Paper GRA1, Use of Greek
- 2006 Paper GRA2, Translation
- 2007 Paper GRA2, Translation
- 2008 Paper GRA2, Translation
- 2009 Paper GRA2, Translation
- 2010 Paper GRA2, Translation
Diploma Papers
- 2006 Paper GRB1, Use of Greek
- 2007 Paper GRB1, Use of Greek
- 2008 Paper GRB1, Use of Greek
- 2009 Paper GRB1, Use of Greek
- 2010 Paper GRB1, Use of Greek
- 2006 Paper GRB2, Translation
- 2007 Paper GRB2, Translation
- 2008 Paper GRB2, Translation
- 2009 Paper GRB2, Translation
- 2010 Paper GRB2, Translation
A full range of teaching will be available in Modern Greek in 2012-13 for both of these qualifications, catering for beginners as well as those who already have some knowledge of the language. The basic schemes of study are as follows (number of contact hours per week in brackets):
For the Certificate (no prior knowledge of Greek required, but familiarity with the alphabet and pronunciation rules is desirable):
| Michaelmas | Lent | Easter |
| MG Grammar (4) | same continued (4) | same continued (3) |
| Translation from Greek (1) | same continued (1) |
For the Diploma (for students who have already successfully completed the Certificate or who possess a knowledge of Greek of about A level standard).
| Michaelmas | Lent | Easter |
| Review of Grammar (1 or 2) | ||
| Translation from Greek (0.5) | same continued (0.5) | same continued (0.5) |
| Use of Greek (1) | same continued (1) | same continued (1) |
| Conversation (1) | same continued (1) |
In addition to the Certificate and Diploma classes, all students should allow at least 3 or 4 hours per week for private study (including some in the Language Laboratories) and for written exercises. The basic grammar book used in the classes is Learning Modern Greek as a foreign second language: a communicative approach, by Smaro Vogiatzidou. Copies of the book may be obtained on loan against a deposit of £10 from the Modern Greek Section, RFB room 204. The courses will be taught by Dr Lily Ronga and Professor David Holton. College supervisions are not normally required.
All those wishing to attend courses leading to the Certificate or Diploma examinations in 2013 must complete an application form, available from their College, the departmental office (room 204), or the Faculty Office, or download it here. Please submit it as soon as possible. The deadline for existing students is Monday 16 July 2012. For freshers and first-year graduates the deadline is Friday 12 October 2012. They must also obtain the approval of their Director of Studies or graduate Supervisor and the Director of Studies in Modern Languages of their college. All applicants will be interviewed; they should ensure that they will be able to cope with the demands of the course.
There will a brief Information Meeting at 2pm on Wednesday October 3rd 2012 in RFB room 331, when the timetable of language classes will be fixed. In the meantime, if you need further advice please contact Professor D. Holton (network tel. (3)35869, e-mail: dwh11@cam.ac.uk.
