Rika Taniguchu

Rika Taniguchi graduated in 2007 with an MA English Language Teaching and Materials Development.

She says, "Leeds is a big city compared to my home town of Wakayama, which is north of Osaka in Japan. Studying at an English university was a new challenge and Leeds Met provided a great environment for improving my communication skills.

When I first came to England I initially found it very difficult to communicate face to face, however, I decided to meet with the Language Learning Adviser, who gave me some useful tips for learning. I really enjoy everything about studying at Leeds Met.  The tutors are very kind and helpful and the facilities are fantastic - I am always using the Language Resource Area and Postgraduate room.  The course itself has a very practical focus, which can be applied to our own real life situations."

On the MA Rika took part in group work and discussions with students from a range of different nationalities, including students from Jordan and Taiwan.

She says: "I found studying stressful at first as the education system is so different from in Japan. In Japan learners normally work alone and do not do much discussion in English. However people here are so helpful and in November 2007 I graduated in a ceremony held in Gandhi Hall at Headingley Campus. I really had a good time. I dreamt I would graduate, but the reality was better than the dream!"

Rika would like to stay and work in England for a while before becoming an English Teacher in Japan.