Linguistics student awarded a teacher training bursary
Read about Sarah Collier-Smith, a BA Linguistics and Language student in Birkbeck's Department of Applied Linguistics and Communication.
Sarah Collier-Smith is currently in her final year of the BA Linguistics and Language Programme. Her studies at Birkbeck have provided the necessary stepping stone to pursue her career goals and have enriched her love for learning. Read Sarah’s success story below:
“I am a 40 year old career changer who, having set up and run my own recruitment business in the City of London for 16 years, felt the need to embark on a new journey in 2010. Hence I enrolled at Birkbeck College and am now in my final year of a BA Linguistics & German. When I initially started studying, I was unsure as to which career options would be viable for me, but by the beginning of my 3rd year I had decided to aim for a career in teaching, partly borne out of my language and linguistics studies and also my general desire to improve literacy standards. In my 4th year, I began working on my teacher training applications, which after a lengthy and thorough process of interviews and tests has resulted in me being offered a School Direct Salaried placement (in conjunction with the Institute of Education and the Teach Thurrock Primary Partnership). Pending successful completion of my degree, I am now on track to start my new position in September 2014. I have no doubt that the knowledge and skills I have acquired during the course of my studies has been invaluable in bringing about this result, and as such, I hope to continue learning via further studies in the future.” Sarah Collier-Smith