Why learn a foreign language?

Read Megan's story, a former Language Express student who is now living in Greece

The Centre for English and World Languages (CEWL) has been successfully running Language Express evening classes for almost a decade. The provision has grown from strength to strength with currently a choice of 11 languages at a number of different ability levels. The languages available include Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

Our 20 week course begins in October and runs until the end of March with the full selection of 11 languages available. In January, we offer a shorter 10 weeks Beginners’ course in either French, Mandarin or Spanish. All classes take place in the evening and are open to students, staff and members of the local community.

We recently heard from Megan Tucker, a former Modern Greek Language Express student, who got in contact to let us know how learning the language has made a huge difference during her year abroad in Greece.

“I was a part of your Greek language course at the university of Kent, and I thought I would send you a little update about how living in Greece has been so far!

I moved to Piraeus almost two weeks ago now, and it has been absolutely brilliant!

I have been able to hold small talk with people, and also order food in tavernas. On Sunday I got completely lost and my phone battery died, but I managed to find my way home by asking people for directions in Greek, and understanding their response! I am going to look for either a tutor or a Greek language course to further my skills, as I’d like to be involved in office conversations a bit more; I can understand so much more than I could before your lessons, but I think it will take me a while and a bit more practice before I begin understanding fully!

I’ve already explored so much of Greece and I plan to explore so much more, and with the Greek skills I have I know I can get by okay!

Thank you again for your help, it has been a life saver (literally!)”

If you would like more information on our Language Express courses, please visit our website or email languageexpress@kent.ac.uk