ENGLISH LANGUAGE: YEAR ONE Terry McDonough

Introduction

This chapter will consider what language is, as well as discussing what people presume language to be. Subsequently, we will look at how language is studied and discuss some hints and tips for how you can be a successful English language student. There will also be helpful advice from previous students, whose comments greatly influenced the construction of this chapter.

I wish I had known more about the language modules before I started the first year, especially the importance of historical context!

(Zoe, Year One, BA English Language)

Quick! Come here! Listen to me for a moment. I'm going to tell you a few secrets about the wonderful world of language. I'm going to tell you about a lot of things we take for granted and don't always have time to communicate in our lectures. I'm going to give you a roadmap that will help you survive your first year as a language student and beyond. You see, I asked my students what they would have liked to have seen in an introductory guide, the advice that really helped them, as well as the things they learned the hard way. I'm not going to tell you what you already know or what you'll find in every other introductory guide. No. I'm going to tell you the things you might not hear elsewhere. Here's what we're going to do:

1. We're going to discuss what language actually is and how many of us make big assumptions about its nature.

2. We're going to have a look at what we call linguistics and how these linguistic types study this stuff we call language.

3. We're going to go through a few tips – advice that really works and will make a big difference to how successful you are.

If you're ready, we'll get started. There's no point wasting words or thanking my neighbour's cat. These are the tips you won't get elsewhere. Grab your backpack and your boots. We're heading into the jungle. You might want to pack a machete too.

Adapting to University Life

Starting anything new fills each of us with anxiety from the first day of high school, college or sixth form to beginning a new job or moving into a new home. Starting university is no different but, rest assured, it will be the first day of the most incredible experience of your life. Not only will you meet new, lifelong friends and enjoy a host of new, and exciting, experiences, you will also enter into the only phase in your life when you can take the time to indulge in the study of a subject that you are truly passionate about.

Studying language is an exciting and interesting opportunity. It is different from studying other subjects because language is all around us: it breathes within us and lives in the world outside of us. The more you learn about it, the more intrigued you become about its puzzles and intricacies, the more you will see its influence in your everyday life. This is, perhaps, the most important thing to remember – language is everywhere. It doesn't just live between the pages of a textbook. Language is life and you are about to become a part of that life.

Some practicalities. You might be worried about getting 'lost in the crowd' if you're at a large university. The best bet here is to join in with social groups – there might be a language society! Or even start your own study group (less exciting but practical). Get involved right from the beginning and you'll start to feel like you belong. Student populations at university are expanding and if you're homesick or have any other personal concerns, seek out the counselling service. There is one at every institution. Quite often there are helplines as well if you want to speak to someone anonymously. It's interesting to note that students coming from college often find that after six months that homesickness eases. They've learned how to microwave beans as well as having the freedom to eat cheese toasties at 2:00 a.m. Mature students – expect to feel guilty. Expect to try and be Wonder Woman or Superman. Expect to wish that Beatle's song was true and there was eight days in a week. You'll adapt and those you care for will adapt with you. It's difficult but doable – we see the stories and the mini-triumphs at every graduation ceremony. Yours will be one of them.

Remember also that if you need help with study skills there are often extra classes (sometimes optional, sometimes built into the course) you can take advantage of. If you have any additional requirements, for example you are dyslexic or feel you would benefit from being assessed, make an appointment with student services. It's important to get the ball rolling with this as early as possible. Some students might be partnered with scribes or note takers, or be given additional support to help brush up their English skills if they speak another language. Help is out there, you just need to ask. Finally, take advantage of your lecturers' office hours. They'll be posted on the door or on their staff pages – that's what they're there for. Last word of advice before we get cracking – be careful of those pounds. Any bursary you might get is for books (there will be many), not for the pub. Stagger it too – many of our students have become panicked after spending their bursaries in the first week or so. It's for the year! Ask student services in advance whether your institution has similar financial help for students. Get a penny jar.

What Is Language?

This is the first question I ask. There's usually silence. A tumbleweed rolls across the floor. Somewhere in the distance a lone coyote howls. The silence kills me. Not one brave hand. First-day nerves, I think. I haven't just fallen into a Sergio Leone western. I inevitably send around a plain envelope so they can offer their definitions on slips of paper. I feel like I'm collecting teeth. I think it's only polite that you do the same. No, I don't want you to collect teeth. I want you to tell me what language is. Go on, I'm listening.

Task – Complete the sentence: Language is ...

Now, imagine you're folding the slip of paper and placing it in my envelope. We'll get to the 'answer' in a moment but we first need to have a think about what I've just done. Did you notice what I was doing?

I just sent you a message from the past. It's not a recording of what's happening to me right now but the subjective memory of a moment I experienced prior to writing this. I'm almost acting as a relay for a moment in my past in an attempt to express an idea to you, a person in some unknown future. For...