The interactive and encouraging methods of the seminar tutors help cultivate an inspiring learning environment

 Why did you choose to study English Language and Linguistics at the University of Sheffield?

I chose to study English Language and Linguistics at Sheffield as it provides a gentle yet clear introduction to different components of language, such as phonology, syntax and semantics in the first year, and a wide range of modules for me to consolidate my understanding in the following two years, allowing me to conduct more in-depth research in the subfields I’m interested in.

What do you enjoy most about your programme?

I enjoy having seminar discussions with my peers as we can exchange ideas we have developed by in-depth study of the content covered during lectures in our own time.  Also, the interactive and encouraging methods of the seminar tutors helped cultivate an inspiring learning environment. I especially appreciate how the seminar tutors are happy to help students through consultation slots and practical advice on how students can do better in assessments.

What does your typical week look like?

My week consists of lectures and seminars on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with a tutorial for my optional French module on Wednesdays, leaving me with ample time to take care of my wellbeing. I have gaps between classes on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, providing me with time to study on my own, finishing work for my seminars. I sometimes also study with my friends in the Diamond during these gaps, and we have a great time studying together, exchanging our opinions developed from what we have learnt each week.

What is the community like in the School of English?

The people in the School of English are welcoming and supportive! During Intro Week, the staff were very friendly and welcomed us warmly to the School of English. For me, seminars are amazing opportunities to meet new people and discuss anything from the seminar work to what we do in our free time.  As a commuter student, it is not always easy to keep in touch with the friends I have made in seminars, so we exchange contact information and continue where we left off through communication apps.

What is your favourite thing about the city of Sheffield?

My favourite thing about the city is the diverse range of cuisines it has to offer. There is a food court called Sheffield Plate in Orchard Square, which serves dishes from all over the world, including Thai, Sri Lankan, Peruvian, Japanese and Romanian to name a few. I go there often during term time to have lunch with friends and family.

Are you involved in any clubs or societies?

I am part of the English Society and have run for Inclusions Officer. I have also volunteered with a main focus of helping people in need learn to read and get better at English. In the past semester, I have volunteered as a teaching assistant at Learn For Life Enterprise, teaching English to newly arrived immigrants.

What skills have you developed during your course that will be useful after you graduate?

My attention to detail and communication skills have improved over the past year. Through analysing poems and prose excerpts in my assessments, I have learnt to ‘zoom in’ on the text I am reading, paying attention to each particular line and word in the texts and what effects they produce. My written communication has also improved as I can express my findings on the text in clarity and detail. These skills are of great use when looking for a graduate job; for example, a CV where every aspect is clearly presented, and mistakes are checked and corrected is essential to applying for any job as these indicate good written communication and attentiveness to detail.

What advice would you give students thinking about doing your course?

Definitely go ahead if you are interested in studying how language works as a whole, and how language rules can be applied to many different languages besides English. One thing I can tell you is that Linguistics is a broad, interdisciplinary field; during your degree, you will encounter lots of different subfields, such as psycholinguistics, cognitive linguistics and more. These subfields open up a wide range of career opportunities and can broaden your horizons.