George Elletson, MSc TESOL 2022

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George from Scotland completed a Bachelor’s degree in Arabic at the University of Edinburgh. He then taught English online for a year before joining the Master’s programme.

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

Having already done my Bachelor’s degree at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh was always at the top of my list for a Master’s degree, given its world-class reputation and leading research in TESOL; as such, it was a no-brainer as soon as I got the offer from Edinburgh.

Why did you choose to study for this degree?

I am passionate about languages, especially my mother tongue, English. During my Arabic degree, I started teaching English online, which lit a fire within me for English language teaching. However, I wanted to be able to teach English in a classroom instead of on the Internet. I wanted to build upon my existing teaching knowledge. Therefore, when I saw that the University of Edinburgh was offering an MSc in TESOL and having read the course details, I jumped at the opportunity and immediately put forward my interest.

What did you enjoy most about the programme?

All the teaching staff were fantastic and went above and beyond to help you during the Master’s programme. They also created a great atmosphere conducive to learning and made each lecture and tutorial fun. This allowed me to gain a genuine love for teaching English and implement the ideas I had been taught in the programme. Moreover, the dissertation element of the course allowed me to delve into a particular area of English language pedagogy and conduct research. It was the part I thought would be most cumbersome. However, it turned out to be interesting and fun.

What specific skills did you develop?

I developed a more critical mindset because I had to read so much, critique, and pull apart ideas. Furthermore, I became much more effective in areas such as time management and how to devote my time and energy to a particular task. In addition, the Master’s taught me practical aspects such as conducting a needs analysis and effective lesson planning.

What was the most useful thing you learned in your lectures, workshops and tutorials?

That I should always be willing to ask questions and be inquisitive, the teaching staff constantly emphasised this notion, and that to develop as a teacher, you have to be both introspective and extrospective simultaneously.

Why would you recommend the programme to others?

It develops you as a teacher and allows you to encounter the latest research on teaching the English language. Moreover, there are so many students from all over the world, allowing you to build great friendships. The programme's standard was excellent, and all the teaching staff were brilliant and encouraged you to develop critical thinking and academic writing, which are both invaluable skills.

In what way do you think the degree will contribute to your career?

Employers value someone with a Master’s, especially one from a university as prestigious and with such a reputation as Edinburgh. It also allows me to go for jobs like teaching English at universities. Moreover, the skills I learnt in the course proved invaluable in teaching, as many English-teaching employers are looking for teachers with expertise in communicative language teaching. Communicative language teaching was a central focus of the master’s course at Edinburgh.

What advice would you give to someone considering studying this programme at Edinburgh?

Get the bit between your teeth and go for it. It is a great year, and you learn from outstanding academics at a world-class university. The more enthusiasm you put into studying, the better you will do. Do not be afraid to ask questions, as it is an academically difficult year, but also one which is very rewarding and enriching.

What is your current role or occupation?

I have just finished my teaching role as an English teacher in Spain, and I have an English teaching job at a school in Kuwait starting in August.

How did your experience at Edinburgh help you get where you are today?

It gave me an excellent understanding of English language pedagogy and newer approaches to language teaching in general. Alongside these aspects, the course also gave me critical thinking skills, which employers seek. As such, the MSc programme enabled me to gain a professional and competitive edge regarding my career.

What advice would you have for someone looking to work in your industry?

The most important thing is that teaching is an art, and you have to embrace and be passionate about it to impart a love for learning to your students. Teaching is not a static process or profession. You constantly have to be willing to challenge yourself and change accordingly.