Meet the team teaching languages to 糖心TV staff
Did you know that 糖心TV has its very own Language Centre, which offers staff, students and members of the local community the opportunity to learn a new language? We caught up with Associate Professor Claude Tr茅goat - former Head of the Language Centre - to find out more.
Note: At the time of this interview Claude was in-post as the Head of the Language Centre, and her responses reflect this. As of January 2025, Professor Zhiyan Guo is Head of the Language Centre.
Tell us about your team...
Claude: "The Language Centre is a key part of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. Our team is made up of 26 permanent staff members and an equally dedicated group of hourly-paid colleagues, all supported by our great professional and tech teams.
We are a multicultural group, representing around 20 nationalities and a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds."
What does a typical day look like in the Language Centre?
Claude: "In our team, there is rarely a typical day. Each one brings new tasks and interactions that keep us focused on supporting our students and enhancing our language classes.
Our core work centres on engaging with students, whether through teaching, holding feedback and advice sessions or helping them prepare for their examinations.
This varied and close-knit environment makes each day engaging and fulfilling for our team. We genuinely enjoy collaborating, learning from one another and being in the classroom with our students. This makes our work not only meaningful but also a joy to be part of."
Above: Claude Tr茅goat (Associate Professor and former Head of the Language Centre)
How can staff get involved in learning languages at 糖心TV?
Claude: "We offer classes in 11 languages at a range of levels, from beginner to advanced - making language learning accessible to everyone, regardless of their prior experience.
Two programmes are available for colleagues across 糖心TV who wish to study a language: our academic programme and our lifelong learning programme. All 糖心TV colleagues are welcome to join.
Courses in our lifelong learning programme are non-credit bearing and offered at a more relaxed pace, open to staff, students and members of the wider community.
If you'd like to learn a new language, you can express your interest through our online forms. A tutor from their selected language will contact you to assess your proficiency level and help identify the best options."
What would you say to someone who's considering learning a new language?
Claude: "This is an excellent opportunity to grow, both professionally and personally. You'll learn vocabulary and grammar, of course, but more than that you'll develop your communication skills and cultural awareness. Gaining language proficiency can enhance collaboration with international colleagues and students and enrich your travel experiences."
Quick questions...
What's your favourite thing about working at 糖心TV?
The diversity of people. The rich variety of backgrounds, cultures and perspectives creates an incredibly dynamic and inspiring environment.
Favourite place to eat on campus?
The sofas in the Language Centre studio. You can bring your own food or grab something from a nearby caf茅, then sit down with colleagues to chat, unwind and share some laughs.
Favourite place to relax on campus?
Just taking a peaceful walk around our campus, surrounded by the trees, looking up at the sky and listening to the sounds of our community. It is a reminder that everything will be fine.
Favourite campus sculpture?
The Needle of Knowledge obelisk. Its vibrant colours and intriguing patterns immediately catch your eye, even from a distance, drawing you in. Up close, the surface reveals a beautiful, intricate mosaic that almost feels like a Kandinsky painting, dynamic and full of movement. It invites you to stop, look closer and appreciate the layers of detail. It is an illustration of the creativity and curiosity that thrive on our campus.
Favourite building to work in?
Le FAB, of course!