Laura W | School of Modern Languages

Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what you've done since graduating

My name is Laura and I absolutely adored my time in Newcastle. After graduating, I spent a year doing work experience in a primary school in Berlin and travelling around Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

I started teaching Spanish in Hackney in East London in 2023 with Teach First, a charity whose mission is to end educational inequality and through which you can do a more hands-on PGCE. The school is amazing and I have really enjoyed teaching.

A particular challenge this year has been providing maternity cover for a colleague responsible for coordinating language exams in languages that aren’t taught at the school. This year we had 13 different exams and it’s been really rewarding seeing the pupils shine in such a slightly different way to the day-to-day at school.

Find out more about my course, Modern Languages BA

Why did you choose to study at Newcastle University?

I was really keen to do three languages up to degree level, which not that many universities offer!

How do you think your course prepared you for your chosen career?

I started Spanish at university so my course 100% prepared me for my career! Also, the final year modules I picked gave me an insight into translating and interpreting, which is something I’d be interested in doing in the future.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Newcastle University?

The friends I made, the clubs and societies I was in and the teaching of really interesting modules.

Describe your time at Newcastle University in three words

So much fun!

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