Nina
Hofmann

Why NTU…

What inspired you to study your subject?

I have loved English all the way through school, but it wasn’t until a-levels that I realised language used in everyday life is what fascinates me the most; the ways in which we communicate with others, how language shapes our world, why we have different accents and dialects. There is so much to explore about language and there are so many opportunities to be taken within the fields of education, media, forensic linguistics, and so many more. People don’t realise the variety of doors this degree can open for you and I’m excited to see which one I will choose for myself.

Why did you choose your course and NTU?

After visiting NTU on an open day, I fell in love with both the course and the city and I started picturing myself living here happily for the next 3 years. When my lecturer gave an introduction to the course on that open day, I remember feeling like I couldn’t wait to get started. I have always wanted to travel and teach abroad so this course offering the Cambridge CELTA qualification fits perfectly into my plans for the future and I am so excited to see where it takes me. I have also been interested in Speech and Language therapy for quite some time so the optional module to study Communication Disorders in second year is the perfect opportunity for me to explore this pathway further.

What’s your experience been like of your course so far? Can you pick out any highlights?

I have met my best friend through this course and it has motivated us to travel and teach abroad together with this degree! We have had a couple of course socials around Christmas time involving quizzes and snacks and this definitely helped to bond us as a course that is on the smaller side. Another highlight for me was the introduction to TESOL module where we got a taster of what it’s like to teach English to speakers of other languages but we practiced on our peers so it ended up being quite fun.

Have you been involved in any projects or extra-curricular activities that have supplemented your studies run through NTU?

I was lucky enough to become a Student Mentor in my second year, meaning I got the chance to meet the first years on my course and help them transition into uni life and support them with both academic and social-life struggles. I have also been a part of NTU’s volleyball club since my first year at NTU and it has given me life-long friends and memories to take away with me after I finish university. It has given me confidence I never thought I had and my uni experience wouldn’t have been the same without this sport.

What does Social Sciences mean to you? e.g. working with people, transforming lives, frontline services

I believe the Social Sciences enable us to better understand the complexities of human behaviour and how we interact with one another, both individually and as a society. Without Social Sciences we would be disconnected from those around us and social change would be stunted due to a lack of understanding of how our society works. Social science affects political systems, mental health care, the economy and market behaviour and much more. It is essential in a harmonious and successful society.

Support...

What do you think of the support available from tutors and staff at NTU?

On this course, we are offered regular 1:1 sessions either online or in-person during the lead-up to assessments to help support us. We have tutorial group sessions that are timetabled for an hour once a week where we will learn about employability, placement or year abroad options and more. We have mandatory consent workshops which I believe are essential in educating everyone on our safety at university. We can book unlimited coaching sessions with an employability expert if we need help with our CV or applying for jobs. Overall, I feel I could turn to any one of my lecturers for help both academically and on a personal level, as they are all very approachable.

Outside of the Lecture Theatre…

Did you find it easy to make friends and settle in at NTU?

Yes, I made strong friendships through my course, my student halls and my volleyball team. I made sure to get involved in as many freshers opportunities as I could and tried all different society tasters where I mixed with other freshers and made friends. I made the most of exploring the Nottingham nightlife, which helped me to bond with my friends but I know that isn’t for everyone and there are many other ways to make friends. Make use of social media and find people with common interests through the uni group chats!

The Next Steps…

What’s next for you after NTU?

I am hoping to achieve my CELTA qualification this year so once I have that, paired with my degree, I will be able to travel Africa and South America and teach English over there.

How is NTU helping you to achieve your career goals?

I am going to book an appointment to speak to a careers coach about how to find the best schools that are out there for me. Hopefully my lecturers can put me in touch with some alumni that have worked in the same field as I want to and I can receive some first-hand tips from the experts.

Advice...

What top tips would you give anyone thinking about studying your course at NTU?

Pay attention to the language you see and hear around you. This course involves applying your skills to real-life scenarios and everyday language. If you have any sort of experience with any language other than English, this will massively help you across a broad range of modules. Don’t worry if you don’t, you will have more experience by the end of it! Make the most of the support and opportunities you’re given, you never know where they will lead you.