2024 Autumn Term Week 1

We have changed the way LSE students register and pay for non-degree courses this year. As you know, you can sign-up for a free non-degree modern language course each year you are on the LSE campus as a BSc student. Non degree language courses (lse.ac.uk)

To do so, please follow the normal registration process. There is no need to email John to sign up, as in previous years. We will remember not to charge you the £375.00 for the course, as we do for other LSE students who have an invoice added to their account .

Welcome, future scholars! Let's talk about exams. Yes, those mysterious creatures that lurk in your academic path. But wait! Before you run for the hills, let me reveal a secret: exams are actually your unexpected friends in disguise!

First off, exams are like personal trainers for your brain. They push you to review and consolidate what you've learned, ensuring that your knowledge muscles stay strong and flexible. Think of them as the ultimate workout for your intellect.

Secondly, exams are excellent at revealing gaps in your understanding. They're like those brutally honest friends who tell you that you have spinach in your teeth. Sure, it might be a bit uncomfortable, but wouldn't you rather know and fix it?

Moreover, exams teach you invaluable life skills. Time management, stress handling, and strategic thinking – these are not just exam survival tools but essential skills for any career or life path. Plus, they give you a legitimate reason to stock up on highlighters and sticky notes. Who doesn't love a good stationery spree?

Lastly, there's the undeniable satisfaction of acing an exam. It’s like climbing a mountain and shouting, "I did it!" Plus, it gives you excellent bragging rights at family gatherings.

So, embrace exams with a smile (and maybe a little caffeine). They’re here to help you grow, learn, and become the best version of yourself. And remember, even if they seem daunting, you’ve got the entire academic community cheering you on.

Happy studying!
Dr Olga Sobolev
Chair of Sub-Board of Examiners, LSE Language Centre

Continuing students will know that, following student requests, we will be providing a Quizlet account to all Language Centre students this year. If you do not already have a free account, please set one up and you will be able to upgrade with an activation link we will circulate soon.

We have already circulated an activation code to renew Skritter accounts to Year 2, 3, and 4 students studying Mandarin as part of their degree. We will forward this information to Year 1 students very soon.

Please make sure to check your Hub calendar, events for you should be listed!

Multilingual LSE
Thursday 26/09/2024, 4-5pm, CLM.2.02
All LSE students

LC Just for You. Connect!
Thursday 26/09/2024, 5.15-6.15pm, CLM.2.02
LC BSc students only

Pizza and SAMs
Friday 04/10/2024, 4-6pm, The Huddle
Language Centre Year 1 students and SAMs

Start of year Reception
Thursday 03/10/2024, 6.15-8.15pm (8th floor of CKK)
Language Centre students on campus, including General Course students

GO LSE Welcome back drinks reception
Thursday 10/10/2024, details to be confirmed
Language Centre Year 4 students

Friday drinks commence
Friday 11/10/2024, 5-7pm, The Huddle
Language Centre students on campus, including General Course students

Welcome back meal
Wednesday 16/10/2024, 6.30-9.30pm: Palm Court Brasserie, Covent Garden
Language Centre Year 2, Year 4 students

Careers Consults drop-ins commence
Monday 21/10/2024, 2.00-5.00pm, The Little Huddle
Language Centre students on campus

We have improved the space for you! The large reception desk has gone and has been replaced by some comfortable seating. You have a quiet study space in 20KSW.G.06 and the large screen has been moved to the main Huddle space. Please feel free to use this.

Year 1 students, please bear with us whilst we get your LSE ID added to the card access system for access. The Huddle is open 10am-7pm Monday to Friday and access is via the glass sliding doors on the corner of Portugal Street and Kingsway. At times LSE Security do close these doors early. If they do, you can still access The Huddle via the main entrance to 20KSW and the via the Basement Computer Room.

Please remember The Huddle is your space and should not be used by students from other Departments. In addition, please do not leave valuable items unattended.

Hi everyone,

My name is Alex and I will be your Careers Consultant for the 2024/25 academic year. I’m really looking forward to meeting you in the coming weeks and supporting you with any career-related questions and ideas you may have. You can reach me on a.j.free@lse.ac.uk.

I'll be in The Little Huddle at these times during the Autumn Term, please drop-in and see me.

I'd like to highlight a number of helpful activities and resources – no matter what stage you're at with your career planning. These include:

• Our CareerHub platform, which is where you can book appointments with me and other Careers Consultants and discuss whatever you'd like (such as, starting out with your career thinking, CVs and cover letters, applications, practice interviews, LinkedIn and further study options)
• Our core events programme, which offers information and hands-on sessions relating to a wide range of career development opportunities. These events are also bookable on CareerHub.
• Our "Discover" events programmes (which are bookable on CareerHub), which provide opportunities to connect with employers, hear from alumni and practise specific skills related to a wide range of sectors (including sustainability, consulting, international organisations, conflict and security, careers in China, and tech)
• Our Moodle course on "Understanding Careers: How can I make the most of my time as an LSE undergraduate", which is designed to shine light on a range of considerations for your career planning and development
• Our guides to a variety of different employment sectors, including the arts, charities and the voluntary sector, education and teaching, fast-moving consumer goods, financial services and health
• Our online tools, which include the School's "Ask an Alum" service, a CV checker platform, support for planning for interview questions, virtual work experience programmes with leading organisations, a portal for practising psychometric tests (which are commonly used in graduate scheme applications), and a web-based practice interview platform.

I wish you all the best for the coming academic year and I look forward to working with you on your career thinking and planning!

With best wishes,

Alex

Dr Alex Free
Careers Consultant (trainee) | LSE Careers
The London School of Economics and Political Science
Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE

You are now part of the LSE Language Community! We have many events throughout the year, as well as Language Community sessions: Conversation Circles, Bitesize Speaking, Tandem Learning, Improvisation and Language Community Get Togethers. Make sure to follow us on the LSE Language Community on Moodle to keep up to date.

Each year we recruit volunteers to lead Language Community sessions in their own language so that other language students have the opportunity to practise outside the classroom in an informal setting. Past volunteers have found it to be a really positive experience and have enjoyed meeting students from different courses and countries. Training and support are provided and we ask for a 5 hour initial commitment.

Further info: LSE Language Community on Moodle, fill in an application form, email us language.centre.teaching.learning@lse.ac.uk

An event we hold every year to introduce all LSE students to the Language Centre – it’s a chance to meet fellow language learners from around LSE - drop by! Following the event we have a special session just for Language Centre BSc students: LC Just for You. Connect! This is a social session with activities for you to get to know each other at the beginning of the academic year.

Dates and times for both sessions are in the important dates list above and in your personal Hub calendar.

Problem solving, listening, public speaking, creative thinking, confidence and adaptability are some of the skills that can be dramatically improved through applied improvisation. These skills are not only important for personal development, but they are also increasingly valued in the workplace.

We are offering a series of workshops on the above, focusing on skills which are relevant to Intercultural Communication, on Fridays 16:00-17:00pm, weeks 2,4,6,8.

Register your interest here.

Do follow us on Instagram via lselanguages as we post after most of our events and have updates from our students on their year abroad. If you are interested in creating a reel for the Language Centre, keep an eye out for our emails offering paid content creator opportunities!

Be sure to follow the Language Centre on the Student Hub (we have a general page and a page for each year group).

If you have not done so, download the Student Hub and follow the Language Centre channel, as well as your group, Language Centre BSc students 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24 or 2024/25.