Why did you decide to study the MSc Applied Linguistics for Language Teaching course at Oxford University?

My first degree wasn’t in linguistics or education and I went into English teaching with just a Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA). I felt it was the right time to go back to study because it was important to me that the methods I was using in my teaching were backed by research. The part-time, distance learning mode of the course also fit around my work and family commitments.

 

What is your full-time job?

I am a professional skills trainer at British Council Singapore. We run interactive workshops to help people communicate more effectively at work. I specialise in running business writing programmes for clients from both public and private sectors.

 

How does the programme support and engage you as a distance learning student?

I enjoyed the recorded lectures as well as interacting with peers and tutors through the online learning system. I learned a lot from reading my classmates’ posts – we were all teachers in different places so I got to know about different teaching contexts. In terms of support, I knew that my supervisor, module tutors and lecturers were just an email away.

 

What did you particularly like about the course?

The modules were well-structured and paced, with each week built around a particular aspect of the topic. Important concepts were introduced, with scope for us to follow our own interests through the extended readings and independent research. The exam questions challenged us to think deeply and become more effective at putting forward arguments backed by research.

 

How has studying the course helped with your professional development?

Immensely! I could apply things I had learned from the course at work immediately, so I felt a lot more confident in my subject knowledge and teaching approach. My research through the dissertation has also opened up a lot of opportunities at work. I have been invited to join working groups, run internal training for colleagues and speak at conferences.

 

What do you most value about the teaching at the department?

The very strong research backgrounds of the lecturers and their ability to communicate complex topics. They are passionate about their subject and help show the way forward for further inquiry.

 

What advice would you give to new students who are about to start the course?

Don’t be discouraged if the first term is harder than you expected! The course demands a lot, but the hours you put in are worth it. Once you build up the skills, the thinking and writing get a lot easier.

 

What is your favourite memory of studying at the department?

The wonderful friendships formed during induction week, during lectures and at the pub afterwards. Members of my cohort have kept in touch over WhatsApp. We try to see each other whenever we are in each other’s corners of the world.

Winny Wilson