The Centre for English and World Languages (CEWL) is launching a 60-hour (20-week) course in British Sign Language (BSL) open to anyone who wants to learn BSL.

There is no need to be a University of Kent student to take this course and you do not need any previous experience of BSL.

The course is run by Palm Deaf BSL Training Ltd and accredited by Signature, the awarding body for BSL qualifications.

The qualification allows you to gain basic skills and confidence in the production and reception of BSL. Find out more about the qualification

It is suitable for anyone who:

• wants to learn basic language skills to communicate simple conversations with deaf people;
• wants to progress to more advanced study and/or employment using BSL;
• wishes to study BSL for personal development;
• is the parent, family, friend or colleague of a deaf person.

Visit the CEWL website to find out more and book

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Cambridge Assessments English (CAE) language tests are two of the most well-known and trusted English language qualifications. Both IELTS and Cambridge exams assess the candidate’s proficiency in English.

The Centre for English and World Languages (CEWL) offers part-time exam preparation courses for IELTS and both the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE). Both courses run twice a year starting either in September or January and are open to all.

Why take CAE or CPE?

The CAE shows that you can follow academic courses at degree level. You will also be able to communicate effectively, fluently and confidently in a professional context.

The CPE shows that you can communicate fluently at the level of a highly competent English speaker with the level of English needed to study or work in a senior professional or academic environment, including postgraduate study, senior management and teaching in English.
Both the CAE and CPE are recognised worldwide but are seen as the gold standard in European countries. Both qualifications have life-long validity.

Why take IELTS?

The IELTS test has an excellent international reputation and has become the most widely recognised English language test in the world. IELTS is accepted as evidence of English language proficiency for education, immigration and professional purposes. The test is designed to prepare you to communicate in real-life situations.

How can I find out more about the courses?

More information about the courses and details about how to book and pay can be found at www.kent.ac.uk/cewl or e-mail examenglish@kent.ac.uk A free taster session for the Cambridge course runs on Tuesday 26 September at 18.00 and the free taster session for the IELTS course is on Wednesday 27 September at 18.00. You can meet the teacher, take part of a test to gauge your language level and ask any questions.

The deadline for the next Pride Award is 13.00 on Wednesday 27 September.

The Pride (Personal responsibility in delivering excellence) Award recognises members of Kent Hospitality staff who go out of their way to deliver excellent customer service. Any Kent Hospitality staff, whether permanent or casual and based at the Canterbury or Medway campuses, may be nominated. The award is given in October, December and April, with each winner receiving £100 of shopping vouchers, a certificate and a badge.

Nominations can be made by any member of University staff, students or visitors. Make your nomination online or alternatively you can pick up a paper form next to the red nomination boxes located in all Kent Hospitality catering outlets in Canterbury and Medway, as well as college reception areas.

Please make your nominations detailed, providing as much information as possible about why the nominee is being put forward for a Pride Award. The panel is looking for staff who achieve more than just what is expected in their role (ie hardworking, professional, positive and friendly attitude).

For further information please contact: pride@kent.ac.uk

Julia Peters, a PhD student in the Department of Classical & Archaeological Studies, has organised a charity walk along the historic route, the Via Francigena, from Canterbury to Dover for the charity Save the Children, to take place on Saturday 7 October 2017.

The Via Francigena (the French Way), was originally the Roman route which connected the British Isles to Rome. The UK section today is better known as the North Downs Way. The walk will begin at the gates of Canterbury Cathedral, progress through the picturesque villages of Patrixbourne and Womenswold, through Shepherdswell and finishing at the port of Dover.

The walk aims to raise £3,000 for Save the Children. The funds raised by the charity walk will contribute to the programmes run by Save the Children to provide education for some of the 28 million children living in areas of conflict who are currently out of school.

The walk is open to all. You can sign up with a suggested donation of £20 (£1 per mile), or simply donate.

Find out more, including how to donate or register online.

The University would like to congratulate Professor Yvonne Sherwood, who was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Oslo in a ceremony on 1 September.

In recognition of Professor Sherwood’s research in Religious Studies, she received a Doctor Philosophiae Causa. Professor Sherwood was also invited to give an address on behalf of the new honorary doctors in the degree congregation, held in the Univeristy Aula.

Professor Sherwood has been regularly involved with the Faculty of Theology at the University of Oslo as an external examiner for PhD vivas, a research collaborator and guest lecturer.

This is a wonderful achievement, which acknowledges Professor Sherwood’s significant contribution to the field of Religious Studies and is also a marker of the international reputation of researchers at Kent.

Photo (left to right): Yvonne Sherwood, Professor of Biblical Cultures and Politics, University of Kent; Aud Valborg Tonnessen, Dean of the Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo; Svein Stolen, Rector, University of Oslo.

Credit: UiO/Terje Heiestad

The Senior Management Team within Estates are looking for inspirational members of staff who have made a difference to colleagues or customers through dedication, innovation, understanding or skill.

The Customer Services Award is given to an Estates staff member or team who:

• provided a timely and professional service to customers;
• were responsive to customer needs and requests;
• were courteous and considered the needs of the customer when making decisions.

Winners will be selected on a monthly basis, each receiving a £20 Amazon voucher.

The purpose of the award is to recognise and reward excellent customer service. Send us your nomination now

Nominations will be judged on a monthly basis with the results being published on the Estates website. The deadline for receiving nominations for the next award is 12.00 on Friday 6 October 2017.

Are you available between 10.00 and 15.00 on Saturday 16 or Sunday 17 September? We’re looking for volunteers to help support a meet and greet service as part of a new initiative running over arrivals weekend.

Arrivals weekend is known to be a busy period at the Canterbury campus despite students having the option to register later in the week. Often parents and carers accompany students during this process, which contributes to the length of the queues. This can complicate the management, and compromise the efficiency, of this process.

This year the University is piloting an approach to improve this by offering parents and carers a place to relax and enjoy a free coffee and cake. We are referring to this as the Parent Pit-stop and it will be held in the café of the Sibson building. This will be sign-posted from the Sports Hall and we will work the queues handing out tickets which can be exchanged for tea/coffee and cake.

The initiative is being supported by the Development Office who will help with the meet and greet of parents and chat with them to allay any fears or apprehension. As this is the first time we are trying this and we are uncertain of what engagement we will have we are seeking further support to ensure we have sufficient staff. Many staff are already committed over the weekend, but if you are not and you are able to join us on campus, your support to meet and greet would be very much appreciated.

The Parent Pit-stop will be open in the Sibson building from 10.00-15.00 on Saturday and Sunday.

If you are able to volunteer, please contact Darren Ellis on extension 7745.