Hear from some students in the Dankook MA TESOL program!
KyungHee Ok
Kindgergarten English teacher
I feel comfortable when I settle into a routine but I am sometimes worried about getting left behind. Am I teaching my kids properly in the classroom? Am I motivating my students to join my class? Do I have ability and passion as a teacher? I have been teaching English for kindergarteners for over seven years. As time went on, I had to face up to my own inadequacies as a teacher. So I needed something to push myself. DKU MA TESOL program was my way out. Even though this process is very hard for me, I’m now in my second semester, and I’m willing to learn from a challenge. I am convinced even a tough challenge makes me be empowered in my classroom. I’d like to invite you to experience the pleasure of this challenge for a meaningful future. Please don’t be put off by complacency or the fear of change!
Sun Yi
Foreign English teacher
For the past 9 years, I’ve been teaching English as a foreign English teacher at an elementary school. Although I was confident in my abilities as an English teacher, I always felt that there was that 2% missing to complete my career as a teaching professional. As I was searching for answers, I came upon Dankook University’s Master’s in TESOL program. The TESOL program in Dankook allowed me to further my education while teaching full time. After so many years as being the “teacher” it was difficult for me to step back into the student mode. The professors however, helped guide me to adjust to my new title of “student”. Now in my second semester of the program, I feel that I’ve already gained so much knowledge. I am proud of my decision to get my master’s here at Dankook University.
Sunya Yun
Elementary school native English teacher
Dankook University’s MA TESOL program has given me tremendous insight and has helped me to become a better teacher for my elementary students. Though the program is quite intensive, I’ve enjoyed the challenge and in the end, find myself equipped with theory, pedagogical tools, and the confidence to create a dynamic classroom environment. There were several encouraging aspects of this particular program that lead me to choose DKU: intellectually stimulating courses, approachable professors, a flexible schedule that meets the needs of teachers, a fun atmosphere of camaraderie, and from word of mouth, a good reputation. I would highly recommend this program for anyone in the teaching field who wants to further their career and enrich their teaching approach. My only regret is that I didn’t start this program sooner!
Stewart Gray
Public elementary school teacher
I am a public elementary school teacher in my second semester at Dankook University, and my studies have already had a great impact on my job. In the course of my first semester, I was introduced to new perspectives on teaching, theories that enriched my understanding of what I was doing, and a whole host of practical advice which has transformed my practice, in everything from my outlook to the design of my classroom activities. I have high hopes for what I will learn from here on out. I originally decided to enroll because I was anxious to learn more about the language teaching profession, and I have certainly found what I was looking for. Anyone curious like me would do well to give this course a try.
Jiwon Kang
Elementary school teacher, VP of DKU student association
Last year, I visited the Dankook TESOL symposium as a visitor. And this year, I'm a 2nd semester student of this DKU TESOL program. First, I hadn't even known much about the TESOL program, or DKU. To be honest, it was not easy for me to manage both working and studying. Since this is my first year in my career as an English teacher, it is confusing sometimes because I'm not sure which is the right way to teach English, what do I have to teach. This TESOL program also doesn't give the perfect right answer. But it is challenging me. As I am exposed to TESOL field and meet many passionate peers, I'm motivated in being a professional in teaching English as a second language. It gives me a deep view of teaching English, approaching it in various ways. Also this program gives a lot of opportunities for English as a tool, using English to learn English teaching, which means being confident and willing to use English in real life. To become an English teacher, I think it is true that an English teacher shouldn't be afraid of English. My 2 years at DKU TESOL are worthy because I could have a chance to think deeply, in various ways about teaching English. It is still ongoing.
Simon Hui
University assistant professor
What qualities should a language teacher possess? I have been exploring this question and decided that it would be worth spending some time exploring teaching as a career. My English teaching career started in 2008 and for the past four and a half years I have been working as an English Teacher at the elementary school and a university in South Korea. So far, I have gained valuable hands-on teaching experiences and learned a great deal from my daily work and from my colleagues. But still I was aware that my teaching skills and knowledge were insufficient to construct a high quality of lesson. Therefore, I needed a course that could completely prepare me for any English teaching situation, and to gain a solid understanding of the principles behind teaching English as second language. In 2011, I decided to go back to university and study a Masters of TESOL at Dankook for further education. Through this course, I realized that there is no perfect method; according to academic research, linguists have demonstrated that there is not one single best method for everyone in all contexts, and that no one method is inherently superior to the others. Different students or different class situations create different solutions. As language teachers we should move away from searching the perfect method, and shift attention to how teachers could develop their own personalized teaching methods in order to reach all students need effectively. Finally I strongly believe that the TESOL programme in Dankook University will help me to fulfill the role that I am most interested in – being a well trained education specialist. This is the main reason for entering the course of Master of TESOL at Dankook University.