Kotaro from Japan

Studying Linguistics at Newcastle University

What was your work/study experience before joining this course?

I studied teaching English for a few years in Japan, but I had no actual experience teaching English in classrooms before joining the MA ALT course at Newcastle University.

How was the course for you?

It was challenging and informative. It was definitely hard to read a lot of research papers and academic books to prepare for the lectures. However, all the knowledge I gained from them helped me when I wrote my dissertation and, of course, when I teach right now.

How has studying Applied Linguistics and TESOL at Newcastle helped you in your career?

It helped me learn a wide variety of practices that I use in the classroom. I can effectively adapt my classroom practices according to students' interests and learning preferences - all while using a particular teaching method needed to accomplish each lesson's goals. I can also critically assess my students' needs and the effectiveness of the materials that will be used in class.

What advice would you give to a student interested in studying Applied Linguistics and TESOL?

I would recommend that they stay open to new ideas which they are likely to come across while studying Applied Linguistics and TESOL. Being like this may help widen their perspectives, as it did for me. In particular, learning about classroom interaction and the research methodology of Conversation Analysis changed my view of teaching/using English.

I had never thought that I would teach English in the way that I do now before. It literally changed my career.

What was the best thing about studying at Newcastle?

Studying at Newcastle gave me a great balance of 'studying hard' and 'playing hard'. I concentrated hard on my work and used the university's fantastic facilities. And once I went outside the university, I experienced the vibrant city of Newcastle upon Tyne and enjoyed it with my mates!