TESOL students flex research muscles

Edward O'Daly

24 October 2006: Future english language teachers have developed their research skills as part of a special project.

The master of arts in teaching english to speakers of other languages (TESOL) students undertook research projects as part of the 'professional projects in language teaching and learning' unit. The fruits of their research were revealed with a poster display in building 9 last week.

Ms Watts reviews her research Photo: Edward O'Daly

Unit convener Eleni Petraki said the research was an important part of their professional development and would help them to evaluate their work in the future.
"Every year we get very good quality projects," Dr Petraki added.

Student Leonie Watts conducted her research among Korean students at the Institute for the Nations theological college in Watson. She investigated the barriers to the students, who are taught in Korean, improving their English during their stay.

The project looked at the possibility of the students using online learning to develop sufficient confidence in their English to strike up conversations with native speakers and further improve.

She said the project helped develop her research skills.

"You've got to ask the right questions. You have to do a lot of thinking before you ask a question and consider how it's going to be understood."