Student Feedback
Richard Bellworthy
"My BA in Modern Languages and TEFL (4 year course), specializing in French and German,
has enabled me to find work in several Parisian language schools as well as in a UK
secondary and sixth form college. My degree has opened up many employment routes such
as the GTP (Graduate Teaching Programme), which will allow me to become a fully qualified
teacher.
Language learning at Essex is a cultural pleasure and has provided me with numerous study
opportunities through the support of native speaker teachers on campus as well as extra
curricular activities. For instance, during my time at Essex University, I took part in language
exchanges, multilingual theatre productions and linked up with language departments in local
schools.
The language department offers an enriching adventure in the target language country, which allowed me to perfect my languages and broaden my horizon culturally. I spent my year abroad as an English language assistant through the British Council in the French countryside and not only learnt how to milk cows but learnt how to distinguish between a desert wine and a starter wine!"
Camille Banks
"I
chose to study at Essex because it was a campus university offering the
perfect degree for me. It was also the
ideal distance from home; far enough away to be independent but
close enough to go home for a quick visit.
I found it very easy to settle into
student life at Essex. Living in the Towers ensured there was always lots of
people
around, and being on a campus meant everything was very accessible.
Not only was it easy to settle in socially, but the friendly and helpful Department of Language and Linguistics made
settling into work easy too; the administrative staff always e-mailed us with key dates and useful reminders. As for
my courses, French was really interesting and my Italian classes provided me with a relaxed atmosphere to learn in.
The TEFL course which I took in my final year has encouraged me to consider teaching English abroad in the future.
I started my job as co-ordinator in a translation company just days after graduating. The knowledge and skills which I acquired during my degree are very relevant to my current career. As I deal with foreign texts every day, I only wish I had taken up the opportunity to study German too!
My time at Essex allowed me to meet lots of friends, both from my course and from the extra-curricular activities which I got involved in. I particularly enjoyed helping with the multilingual drama group's production of Boeing Boeing; it was excellent seeing all of our preparations coming together and then celebrating after the show.
I will always remember the summer days spent revising in the sun and enjoying barbecues by the lake. Summing up my time at Essex; a great place to work and study - I'm a very happy customer!"
