Chi Lam Au, a senior from Hong Kong studying TESOL, said he has always been motivated by Michael Angelo’s quote, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.” He said, “When you are able to see the value and potential in a person… then, for me, it motivates me to do my best to bring out that potential.”
What made you decide to study this major?
“I struggled a lot in English as a child, but my English teachers helped me so much. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be able to speak and communicate in English. My teachers made me see that being a teacher is so much more than teaching. It’s also a very influential source and power to change people’s lives.”
What makes your major unique?
“It is applicable in any part of the world since English is a universal language. For Hong Kong, in particular, our major allows us to start teaching directly in a public school system. [There are also] many traveling opportunities... I have friends [majoring in TESOL] who have done their internships all over the world. Some in Brazil, Europe, Africa, pretty much every continent we have students who have been there.”
What do you want to do with it?
“I want to teach in Hong Kong because I always have had this great love for my city. I feel like I understand the environment and system a lot more compared to a lot of other places.”
Favorite class
“I love all of my TESOL classes. Each class focuses on one particular skill. We have a class specifically for teaching, writing, listening, speaking and teaching grammar. It helps you to develop those particular skills to the fullest when you can concentrate on one.”
Describe a typical day
“I get up in the morning, go to class, go to the elementary school, then after school and class, I do homework and study.” Au said he also works as a speech, pronunciation, and presentation tutor in the Language Center."
Number of people in the major
“It is popular among non-native students. I think second-language English learners understand that learning English is a very big thing in their home countries, so they see that as a [job] opportunity.” Academic Advisors Manager Marilee Ching said there are 116 TESOL majors.”
Time spent in a day
“I spend at least six hours a day on my major. Most of those hours go towards class, then an hour at the elementary class, and two hours studying and homework.”
Pros
“The pro for someone who loves teaching is they will be able to learn a wide range of skills and acquire different resources to help them teach more effectively. It also gives you a wide range of countries.”
Cons
“You are strictly restricted to teaching. If people don’t like teaching, then they won’t be able to see the pros.”
Writer: Brooklyn Redd