Student Voices: Leona

I am grateful for the two years I studied in the ILE: TESOL Program, which set a solid foundation for my career plans. Coming from a non-language education background and as a non-native English speaker, I initially felt nervous about joining the program. However, the professors emphasized the value of being a successful second language learner as an inspiration for our future students. The courses in teaching pedagogy, curriculum design, educational philosophy, sociolinguistics, and research design helped shape me into an exploratory educator and researcher. My takeaways from the ILE: TESOL Program allowed me to pursue a PhD degree and teach at a university simultaneously after graduation. Throughout my time in the program, the instructors and senior students were unfailingly supportive, helpful, and encouraging, and I remain in contact with many of them to this day. This welcoming and supportive environment made life in the ILE: TESOL Program much more enjoyable. I hope more educators from around the world will join our TESOL family.