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Student Profile

TESOL student image

Name: Anastasios
Nationality: Greek
Course: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) (MSc)

Why did you choose to study for a postgraduate qualification at Queen’s? I was impressed with the academic records of Queen’s over the past 100 years. When I researched it on the internet, I made comparisons with other universities in the UK and found Queen’s to be outstanding in academic standards.

What have you found most interesting or useful about the course? I had the opportunity to explore my own teaching and learning styles. I felt free to decide what works for me best as a postgraduate student and an English teaching professional. Also, there was a good mix of local and international students which raised our awareness of issues relating to the native/non-native English speaking teachers distinction. It was wonderfully refreshing to work with people who were very different but shared the same teaching aspirations.

What was your experience of the teaching support and student facilities at Queen’s? Our tutors established great rapport with us from day one. There was a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere in the class which allowed us to participate actively and maximize our potential. I was extremely impressed with the support we got from our tutors as well as the people in the School of Education. Queen's provides a range of excellent student facilities of which the McClay Library is the most impressive one. Never before have I felt so cool going to a library!

Where are you in your career at the moment?   I applied for teaching jobs all around the world and had interviews with several reputable institutions. I've been offered a job teaching English at a university in Kuwait.

Has the course helped you in your career so far?  Very much so. When it comes to teaching qualifications, a certificate in teaching English as a foreign/second language is normally the essential requirement for an entry level job. However, having completed an MSc in TESOL allowed me to apply for jobs such as teaching English for academic purposes or positions with particular responsibilities such as curriculum design, material development or assessment.

Any advice to future  students? Being a postgraduate student at Queen's was the most rewarding and inspiring experience of my life. Be prepared to study hard, but also make sure you enjoy yourselves during the course. Enjoy the journey; don't rush to reach your destination.