Our outreach

Secondary school teachers and students, join us for 'Experience English' Days and 'Taster' Days

Hello Teachers!

The School of English Literature, Language & Linguistics at Newcastle University invites you to register for one of our 'Experience English' and 'Taster' Days!   

These 'Experience' and 'Taster' days aim to provide GCSE and A-level students with an insight into what studying English Literature and English Language looks like at degree level.   

  This year we are holding three school visit days:

• one for Year 13 students on Tuesday 4th November; 
• one for Year 11 students on Monday 19th January;
• one for Year 12 students on Tuesday 24th March.  

  

Choosing your session

 Which is best for me and my students?

These sessions are all-day events led by academics and students in our School.

• The 'Experience English' day is dedicated to Year 13 students who want an experience of what it is like to study English at university.
• The 'Taster' events focus on topics on the A-level and GCSE curriculum and give insights from the most recent research.
• On each day, there are two academic talks: one on English Literature and one on English Language/aspects of Linguistics such as sociolinguistics.
• It is possible to book for a full day or a half-day. All Literature talks are in the morning and all Language talks are in the afternoon.
• It is possible for any individual school to book on to all three events though do note there is a cap on numbers per school.
• The full day includes degree overviews, a campus tour and the opportunity to hear from current university students.

How many students may I bring?

• Due to room capacity and the popularity of these events we limit the number of students per school to 25. 
• If you would like to consult about your numbers in advance of booking or joining the wait list for a fully booked session, please email Emma Nguyen (Language) Emma Whipday (Literature) or Chloe Ashbridge (Literature)

Visit Days

Tuesday 4th November 2025 (Year 13): Experience English  (Booking is closed; a waitlist is in operation)

 There will be an overview of the School of English degree programmes, a talk on student life, a campus tour, and taster lectures and seminars on the following topics:  

• English Language and Linguistics (am): Language Variation in The Legend of Zelda  
• English Literature (pm): The Female Hero and Society

The day will run from 10am to 3pm; there is also the option to attend for a half-day session. 

Monday 19th January 2026 (Year 11): Taster Day (booking open)

There will be a talk on exploring studying at university, and taster lectures on the following topics:  

• English Literature (am): How to Read a Poem  
• English Language and Linguistics (pm): Linguistics Myth-Busting  

The day will run from 10am to 2pm. 

Tuesday 24th March 2025 (Year 12): Taster Day  (booking open)

  There will be an overview of the School of English degree programmes, a talk on student life, a campus tour, and taster lectures on the following topics:  

• English Language & Linguistics (am): (Socio)linguistics in Everyday Life  
• English Literature (pm): Victorian Literature: Dracula  

 The day will run from 10am to 3pm; there is also the option to attend for a half-day session. 

To Book

If you would like to register for one of our Experience or Taster Days, you can use the following links:  

Tuesday 4th November 2025 (Year 13)  [booking closed]

 

Monday 19th January 2026 (Year 11)  [booking closes 19 December 2025]

  

Tuesday 24th March 2025 (Year 12)  [booking closes 3 March 2026]

 These days are very popular and usually oversubscribed so please get in touch as soon as possible. 

 Please take care to read the registration form carefully as it contains more information about the event's timetables, our room capacities, and the primary contact information.  

  We look forward to seeing you and your students soon!