Beatrice Massa
Qualification: MA TESOL, 2020
Job on Graduating: Phrasee Ltd (now Jacquard)
My name is Beatrice Massa and I recently completed a master’s in TESOL at Swansea University. After graduating in July 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in English Language at Swansea, I was very lucky to benefit from one of Swansea University’s Centenary Scholarships, which allowed me to continue my education and learn more about teaching English to speakers of other languages, a passion which I developed during my undergraduate studies.
Although the academic year had started as every other year in higher education (rushing for lectures, spending afternoons in the library working on coursework, revising night and day for exams, singing my heart out at karaoke night), the Coronavirus pandemic definitely changed my and every other student’s learning experience by moving everything on-line and making us believe that human interaction and relationships were on hold. This is why, when Dr Federica Barbieri sent all MA TESOL students an email about an ELT networking event, my social antennae started quivering at the thought of meeting and talking to people (that were not my lovely family), especially if they shared my passion for language teaching. I got to present and meet other TESOL colleagues at this fantastic event!
Click HERE if you want to read more about Beatrice’s experiences at the event. Click HERE if you want to hear about what Beatrice loves about studying at Swansea.
Naomi Davies
Qualification: MA TESOL, 2019
Job on Graduating: Teacher in a language school in Hong Kong
I completed my BA in English Language and English Literature at Swansea University and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, so continuing my studies here was an obvious choice. I was a grateful recipient of Swansea University’s Centenary Scholarships, and I had started to develop a passion for teaching through the TEFL modules in my undergraduate degree, so I chose the MA TESOL. I knew I wanted to follow the teaching route, as opposed to the research-based route, so I chose the MA Portfolio Track, which allowed me to gain some practical experience in teaching.
Click HERE if you want to read more about Naomi’s experience on the MA TESOL.
Mike Kettle
Qualification: MA TESOL, 2018
Job on Graduating: English Language Instructor at Kanda University of International Studies, Chiba, Japan
In 2017 I enrolled at Swansea University to acquire a Master’s in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) because this qualification could open new doors, with even richer rewards. I initially chose Swansea University because of the two fantastic experiences I had here previously, but I also found that the MA TESOL was ranked very highly among international institutions. Truly, the course content and support of the faculty added keen academic insight to my previous experiences and gave me not just more confidence, but a whole new set of tools to exponentially elevate my career. Within two days of handing in my dissertation in September 2018, the MA has led to unique opportunities, including interviews with prestigious universities in Japan and Aerospace institutes in Saudi Arabia. On top of confidence and new tools, the course also helped to refine my character. This is because the standards prescribed by our lecturers are high. They expect quality and provide excellent support to students willing to rise to this challenge. I would like to close by expressing heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the MA TESOL faculty for their support and guidance. Once again, it’s been eye-opening 🙂
Click HERE if you want to read more about Mike’s experience on the MA TESOL.
Mink Yuthika
Qualification: MA TESOL 2017
Job on Graduating: English Language Instructor, School of Liberal Arts, University of Phayao, Thailand
What she had to say: I was very impressed by the support of all lecturers. They treated students with the respect and encouraged us to share ideas with each other in class. I personally thought that this learning style was very effective. I would say that I liked all lecture classes but, honestly, I also felt a bit stressed every time I had assignment or exam deadlines, especially, when trying to finish assignments before celebrating Christmas in Scotland!However, all the pressure went when I handed in my dissertation. At the same time, that relaxing moment was also a bit overwhelming, as I knew that my joyful time in Swansea was nearly over. […]
For me, doing the MA TESOL worked as a passport that helped me get into my teaching career. I used my knowledge relating to language teaching and research skills that enabled me to have a wider perspective on English language teaching. […] I would totally recommend the MA TESOL at Swansea University where you will be surrounded by supportive people. After finishing this course, I have increased not only my professional skills but also my confidence in teaching English. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Click HERE if you’d like to hear more about Mink’s experience on the MA TESOL.
Mary Ritchie
Qualification: MA TESOL, 2017
Job on Graduating: Freelance Teaching
What she had to say: “I really counted it a privilege to study at Swansea University. I cannot really compare it to my undergraduate degree at Glasgow University. Maybe at undergraduate level I was too young to appreciate the privilege of being able to study. However, this time I was very aware of the opportunity I had been given. The support from the lecturers was excellent. They treated all the students with respect and really encouraged us to investigate and explore for ourselves, while giving us all the support we needed. I loved all the lectures. I would wholeheartedly recommend the M.A. TESOL at Swansea University to anyone. I loved my time there and really miss it. Doing the course has increased my confidence in teaching English, and I am teaching a number of Chinese students who are studying A-Level courses. As Swansea is a designated City of Sanctuary in the UK, the opportunities to help others and teach English to asylum seekers and refugees are limitless. So, I am excited about the future and am looking forward to the opportunities ahead.”
Click HERE if you want to read more about Mary’s experience on the MA TESOL.
Ashwaq Alshaikhi
Qualification: MA TESOL 2015-2016
Job title: Language Instructor, North West Armed Forced Hospitals (NWAFH) Nursing Institute (a branch of the Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences), Saudi Arabia.
What Ashwaq had to say about her MA course:
As part of my MA TESOL, I completed a dissertation titled, ‘The Impact of English Textbooks on Learners’ Vocabulary Acquisition in Saudi Public Schools’. My study revealed a relationship between the vocabulary coverage of a new generation of textbooks used in Saudi schools and Saudi students vocabulary uptake. Together with my supervisor, Prof. Jim Milton, I wrote up the study in an article for TESOL Arabia Perspectives (published February 2017). This programme has changed me academically by enriching my understanding of the topics we studied, and of the teaching profession. My experience at Swansea has deeply affected my way of thinking personally and academically. One of the main aspects of my success was a result of the way that the instructors treated us. I will never forget what Professor Milton told me the first time he saw the results of my research, “sometimes we teach students to be better than us.” I was so proud of what he said.
Craig Jones
Qualification: MA TEFL 2015-2016
Job on Graduating: English Instructor (Chubu University and Nanzan University, Japan)
What Craig had to say about his MA course:
The MA TEFL (now TESOL) was a great experience for me – one that has allowed my career to progress to another level. There was an excellent balance between the theory and practice of teaching. The instructors were extremely helpful and gave me the ability to develop as a more professional teacher. The course also gave me an invaluable insight into the academic side of teaching and linguistics. I left the course feeling confident that I can produce research of my own in the future. I am currently teaching at three Universities in Nagoya, Japan, and have recently given my first professional presentation at the Japan Chubu Language Teaching Expo.
Magdalena Chowaniec
Qualification: MA TEFL 2013-2014
Job on Graduating: Supply Teaching
Magdalena was featured as ‘student success story’ for the College of Arts and Humanities in 2015. You can read more about her story here.
What Magdalene had to say about her MA course:
I’m so pleased that I chose Swansea for numerous reasons and undoubtedly it was the best decision of my life. My time in Swansea was unforgettable and strenuous – studying on a full-time programme and working to support my studies was of course difficult at times. But I was absolutely delighted at having such helpful and supportive staff that were passionate about their subjects and I can’t thank them enough. As long as you fully commit yourself to learning, conscientiously and meticulously, you are assured to succeed and have a great time, which I know from my personal experience. Over and above, I think Swansea is an excellent and forward-thinking University. I loved the fact that I could select the modules for my degree, which were relevant to my future career. What I also loved about my degree was that I had an opportunity to conduct a study into the differences between the way people make apologies in the English and Polish languages. I loved this research experience as it gave me an opportunity to investigate a particular speech act, in-depth, from a cross-cultural perspective. Through this experience, I have been inspired to consider doing further research and to realise which area I would like to look at in the future, which is cross-cultural differences between Polish and English