The surprising uses of English Language and Literature

Henna Riaz, an English Language and Literature student, tells us about her time on the course and aspects of the course that have helped her in ways she didn't realise it could.

Looking back on your three years, what aspects of the English Language course have surprised you the most?

The most surprising aspect of the English Language course is I have learned how English Language can be used in so many aspects in the outside world. For instance, the way corpus linguistics is used for research for marketing purposes. Also, I was surprised about how well this course prepares you for collaborating with partners in terms of life after university.  

Can you describe a module or project that had a meaningful impact on your understanding of language?

A particular module of English Language that had a meaningful impact of my understanding on language was the module ‘Language in Society’ as it taught me how aspects of language such as accent bias can affect people in everyday life.  

How has studying at BCU influenced the way you think or approach the world outside of university?

The multicultural environment of BCU has helped me become aware of other people’s experiences and viewpoints, which has allowed me to become more open minded and become aware of how personal experiences can shapes people’s lives. 

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What skills or insights have you gained from this course that you think will be useful in your future career or life in general?

This course has helped me prepare for my career after university as it has helped advanced my communication skills, through things such as essays and presentations and has boosted my confidence by developing my knowledge of English. 

What advice would you give to someone considering studying English Language?

The advice I would give for someone studying English Language would be that do not be afraid to try new things or things that may seem difficult. Going out of your comfort zone allows you to become more confident and this will help you enjoy the course much more. 

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