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**Please note that the content below is not the most up-to-date on this topic.**
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Teaching others to speak the English language is a noble vocation in life which requires great patience – you can really make a difference and help people improve the quality of their lives. But it takes a very special person to fill this role, and passing a TESOL course (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a requirement to qualify. In fact, international graduates of TESOL courses can make for excellent teachers of the English language. They can be inspirational figures for those they end up teaching, to show how someone from another country can achieve their goals– this can put their students at ease. Meanwhile, they can borrow from their own experience, and use techniques they found useful when adapting to a new language and culture themselves.
We spoke to Dr Ahmad Nazari, Principal Lecturer for Languages and Course Leader for the MA TESOL and Applied Linguistics at London Metropolitan University (London Met) to find out more about the course, what qualifies his department to educate future teachers and more...
What one aspect of the course you teach do you personally look forward to each year, and why?
One of the most exciting parts of the course for me is right at the start. The students come from all over the world, and for many of them, this is their first experience of London and its multicultural mix. English language teaching is all about being interested and curious about other cultures, so it is fascinating to see the students challenging their perceptions of others as well as seeing their own culture in a different light. As they learn more about the theory of second language learning and teaching, they begin to be able to connect the theory with their own experiences.
Tell us a bit about the faculty or staff in the department, and where they come from.
I am the course leader for the MA TESOL and Applied Linguistics and I have taught Applied Linguistics and TESOL in Higher Education since 1993, including positions in the University of Hertfordshire and University of Sunderland, as well as universities abroad.
In our team, some of us have a PhD and others are working towards them. Our research interests are varied and include looking at aspects of motivation in the language classroom, the process of second language learning and teaching and creating subject specific online materials to improve academic skills.
We have a breadth of experience between us in Applied Linguistics and teaching English in various different contexts, both in the UK and abroad. Some of us are also qualified teacher trainers.
We teach a range of specialised English language modules in the university, as well as teaching on the Masters programme. This gives us an insight into current issues and trends in our field and helps us to link the theoretical with the practical aspects of TESOL and Applied Linguistics.
What are the benefits of studying this course at this particular university?
London Metropolitan University has a uniquely diverse mix of students, which creates a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. It is ideally located only a few minutes away from Central London on public transport. One aspect of our MA TESOL and Applied Linguistics that makes us stand out from others is our emphasis on gaining practical observational experience in the English Language Teaching classroom, as well as learning the theoretical side.
Our course tutors provide regular guidance and feedback to students on the course, helping them to achieve the best out of their time in the university.
Why is it an exciting time for prospective students to move into your field?
English is the global language of communication, business and the internet. The demand for highly qualified Applied Linguistics and TESOL specialists, both here in the UK and abroad, continues to rise and ours is an expanding industry.
Can you give a few examples of the roles and positions which graduates have gone onto?
Graduates can go into a number of roles on successful completion of the MA TESOL and Applied Linguistics. Some will go into Higher Education abroad or in the UK to teach either English language or TESOL and linguistics. Others go into teaching English in Primary or Secondary Education abroad. Some of our graduates already have teaching experience and are promoted to higher positions on their return home. Quite a few of our graduates continue their studies to PhD level and start a career in research. Others move into related fields such as publishing, translation and interpreting.
Read more about the TESOL and Applied Linguistics MA.
Find out more about London Met and the courses they offer.
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