YOU CAN GIVE YOUR COMENTS, TELL ME WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS LETTER. THANKS.
Gouda 03-06-2010
R.A. van Dongen
Camusplaats 632
8097LK
Gouda
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have a BA in Education and a major in Foreign Languages: English. I would like to apply for the MA in English Language and Culture at Leiden University, specialising in English Linguistics, for the 2010 summer term.
I am currently studying the NT2 Dutch programme, which I will finish by this September. I would really like to acquire more theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of English Linguistics, especially in phonology and syntax. I believe that the only place where I can successfully gain this together with a contextual understanding of this specific field of study is at Leiden University due to its longstanding international reputation in the study of human languages.
In the course of my undergraduate studies, I have discovered a passion for languages; I enjoyed my English classes, in particular my Linguistics classes, and even though they were very general I found those topics relating to human languages extremely exciting. For instance, I recall the moment I realised that the study of Linguistics goes beyond understanding the structure of language; I came to realise that this would help to understand how the unconscious knowledge that humans have about language(s) works, and how languages differ from each other. I was fascinated by all that I learned in this general Linguistics course, so I decided to continue studying it to develop my knowledge.
At the same time I realised that there was a shortage of professionals in the field of English Linguistics in my own town, and in my country in general. Whenever we had a General Linguistics course, we would encounter difficulties in finding a teacher for it, but when it came to English Linguistics, we had to choose between having a non-English Linguistics professor or we would have to wait until the next semester to enrol in a class given by a specialist. Consequently, more than seventy percent of students enrolled in the non-specialist’s class. As a result of those classes, our expectations as students were not met and a good number of us lost interest in this field of study. Therefore, being aware of the problems that the Language School faced then and still does today, I personally commit myself to contribute to the language teaching development of my home town by taking an MA in English Language and Culture, specifically English Linguistics, in the hope that this knowledge and grasp of the subject will allow me to make an important contribution to the place where I first nurtured a passion for this field of study.
In order to achieve my goal, I have chosen to study at Leiden University for three main reasons:
Firstly, Leiden University stands out as the best-equipped institution for the study of human languages in all their diversity. There is no other academic institution, either in the Netherlands or in the countries surrounding it, where as many languages have been taught to such an outstanding degree.
Secondly, Leiden University has a research-intensive orientation. Its students carry out their own research and are encouraged to put their own ideas forward, which is highly appealing to me because I think that if you want to succeed as a professional, you need to demonstrate original thought by challenging your capacity to think and come up with new ideas.
Thirdly, this university offers an intellectually exciting learning environment with high academic standards. In my opinion, this is vital to produce competent individuals at the top of their profession.
I am especially keen to take the MA in English Language and Culture at Leiden, since I know that your English Department covers a broad range of both traditional and modern subjects. In addition, it has some highly experienced members of staff, and the fact that students can benefit from a sizeable network of international contacts with English departments from all over the world makes it even more appealing. As well as the English Language and Culture Department, I would also be able to benefit from its well-known wide choice of specialisations.
I hope that you will consider my application favourably, and help me in my goal to use my education to benefit the institution where I first discovered my passion for Linguistics.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Racheli Chao
Gouda 03-06-2010
R.A. van Dongen
Camusplaats 632
8097LK
Gouda
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have a BA in Education and a major in Foreign Languages: English. I would like to apply for the MA in English Language and Culture at Leiden University, specialising in English Linguistics, for the 2010 summer term.
I am currently studying the NT2 Dutch programme, which I will finish by this September. I would really like to acquire more theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the field of English Linguistics, especially in phonology and syntax. I believe that the only place where I can successfully gain this together with a contextual understanding of this specific field of study is at Leiden University due to its longstanding international reputation in the study of human languages.
In the course of my undergraduate studies, I have discovered a passion for languages; I enjoyed my English classes, in particular my Linguistics classes, and even though they were very general I found those topics relating to human languages extremely exciting. For instance, I recall the moment I realised that the study of Linguistics goes beyond understanding the structure of language; I came to realise that this would help to understand how the unconscious knowledge that humans have about language(s) works, and how languages differ from each other. I was fascinated by all that I learned in this general Linguistics course, so I decided to continue studying it to develop my knowledge.
At the same time I realised that there was a shortage of professionals in the field of English Linguistics in my own town, and in my country in general. Whenever we had a General Linguistics course, we would encounter difficulties in finding a teacher for it, but when it came to English Linguistics, we had to choose between having a non-English Linguistics professor or we would have to wait until the next semester to enrol in a class given by a specialist. Consequently, more than seventy percent of students enrolled in the non-specialist’s class. As a result of those classes, our expectations as students were not met and a good number of us lost interest in this field of study. Therefore, being aware of the problems that the Language School faced then and still does today, I personally commit myself to contribute to the language teaching development of my home town by taking an MA in English Language and Culture, specifically English Linguistics, in the hope that this knowledge and grasp of the subject will allow me to make an important contribution to the place where I first nurtured a passion for this field of study.
In order to achieve my goal, I have chosen to study at Leiden University for three main reasons:
Firstly, Leiden University stands out as the best-equipped institution for the study of human languages in all their diversity. There is no other academic institution, either in the Netherlands or in the countries surrounding it, where as many languages have been taught to such an outstanding degree.
Secondly, Leiden University has a research-intensive orientation. Its students carry out their own research and are encouraged to put their own ideas forward, which is highly appealing to me because I think that if you want to succeed as a professional, you need to demonstrate original thought by challenging your capacity to think and come up with new ideas.
Thirdly, this university offers an intellectually exciting learning environment with high academic standards. In my opinion, this is vital to produce competent individuals at the top of their profession.
I am especially keen to take the MA in English Language and Culture at Leiden, since I know that your English Department covers a broad range of both traditional and modern subjects. In addition, it has some highly experienced members of staff, and the fact that students can benefit from a sizeable network of international contacts with English departments from all over the world makes it even more appealing. As well as the English Language and Culture Department, I would also be able to benefit from its well-known wide choice of specialisations.
I hope that you will consider my application favourably, and help me in my goal to use my education to benefit the institution where I first discovered my passion for Linguistics.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Racheli Chao
