MA in TESOL: Graduate Profile - Linh Doan | University of Limerick

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linh smiling for the photograph on a windy day

Linh [pictured above],is a postgraduate student currently undertaking a Master of Arts (MA) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).

What made you study at UL?

I was looking at courses in New Zealand and Australia because they are closer to Vietnam than Ireland, I did not think of going to Europe initially. As soon as I heard that there was a TESOL program in UL, I had a look at it and compared it to other courses; I thought it looked interesting. My family has a history of studying in Europe, so I decided to continue that tradition and come to UL.

Can you take us through a typical week on the MA programme?

A typical week began at around 7am or 8am in my house in Plassey Village student accommodation. Firstly, I attended my lectures. Most of my lectures were in the morning as opposed to later in the day. After lectures, I would meet up with my friends and hang around or do a group study session. Throughout the course of the programme, we had many group assignments so I liked to designate time after class to meet up with the group. After my group meetings, I would take a walk, clear my head, and then go back to the library to do some further reading. I would finish any assignments and reading before dinner and then I would come back home and have dinner and relax for the rest of the evening with my housemates and friends.

What was your favourite topic or subject that you studied on the programme?

I think that is the most difficult question to answer but if I had to pick like one, I loved the language pedagogy modules. This module increases your knowledge of teaching methods and language systems. In addition, I enjoyed the teaching practice module. I liked this because I postponed my teaching job in Vietnam to come here and do the MA. I miss teaching a lot of the time because, back in Vietnam, I taught a lot so it was great to get back to doing what I really enjoy. It is interesting because in terms of teaching methods, there are similarities and differences between Europe and Vietnam. Vietnam is also open to adopting modern and updated versions of pedagogy from around the world including Europe.

Can you describe your experience of the programme and how it enhanced your own teaching skills?

I feel very positive towards the MA in TESOL programme. The lecturers and tutors are very friendly, helpful and supportive. They are always there and ready to answer any of my questions and support me in anything. The thing I love about TESOL in UL is that there is such a diversity of cultures in one classroom. Many of the TESOL programs around the world are not as diverse as UL. In UL, we have a choice to do group work or individual work. This is great because I can work alone, and I can work with other people too.

The other thing that I really think enhanced my own teaching skills was the feedback from my supervisors after teaching practice. You get individual feedback from your supervisor not just general advice to all doing the teaching training. I think that is great and really useful.

What are the benefits and challenges of completing the MA TESOL?

I think there are many benefits of doing an MA degree. First of all, it offers you great job opportunities. Many institutions in Vietnam are requesting that candidates hold a master's degree, especially in teaching English.

Secondly, the MA in TESOL will strengthen your research skills. If you are thinking of doing a PhD it really helps, you have very few opportunities during your undergrad for undertaking extensive research so an MA helps to develop your research skills.

There are challenges are well. As it is a postgraduate degree, you need to read a lot. The workload and the dissertation are probably the biggest challenges but this can be mitigated, if you manage your time and keep up with the course work and make a good work plan.

Would you recommend the MA to others?

Yes, I would absolutely recommend the MA in UL, to others. I think that if you study a language, especially if you plan to teach that language, you need to live in the environment where everyone is speaking that language. You need to immerse yourself in that culture too. I think that cultural immersion and learning about how people act, how people behave, and the nuances of the language is key particularly if you plan to teach that language to others. I would recommend to people to travel abroad if they have the opportunity to do so, but especially to Ireland as living costs in Limerick are much lower compared to some other cities around the world.

What do you plan to do/have done post-graduation?

I will be returning to a job in Vietnam post-graduation, but I think that I will also go back to Vietnam and apply to universities to be a lecturer or a research assistant. I would like to continue my academic journey to PhD level sometime in the future.