Mr. William Nash from the University of Sheffield, English Language Teaching Centre visits our English Studies Department

In accordance with its well-established mentality of Higher Education collaborations, the English Studies Department was pleased to welcome Mr. William Nash, the Academic Director of Teacher Training at the University of Sheffield English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC) in the first weeks of the current academic year. Dr. Paschalia Patsala, Head of the English Studies Department, Professor Petros Kefalas, the Vice-Principal for Teaching and Learning, together with members of ESD staff met with Mr. Nash during his two-day visit to the International Faculty.

Being one of the largest university English language centres in the UK, the University of Sheffield ELTC supports around 3,000 students a year, offering classes, Departmental Language Programmes, online language support, a Dyslexia/SpLd Specialist Tutorial service, and a writing advisory service. With courses aimed at students who wish to attend the university, or who are already attending as well as members of the public, ELTC strives to offer all parties interested the very best of quality knowledge, skills, development and services.

In continuation to Dr. Patsala’s visit to the ELTC last year, and as with all collaborations at their initial stage, the identity of the ELTC and the ESD had to be presented first in detail, thus signaling the common springboard for discussions aimed at two-way enrichment. The particular visit posed as a prime opportunity for the English Studies Department to exhibit their contribution to English Language Learning and Teaching both via their Departmental BA and MA programmes but also through their English Language Support Unit developed to help and support all students of other Departments of the International Faculty with regards to academic English and skills.

With discussions reaching the conclusion of “being on the same wave-length,” this visit opened up avenues for future joint actions and verified the open-minded, enthusiastic and strong desire of both parties to share successful attempts, ideas, challenges, and solutions implemented, which actually depicts the productive nature of academic collaborations focused on moving forward together for the benefit and enrichment of all members involved.