Jee-Eun
Before starting Biola's M.A. TESOL program I had a TESOL certificate through the University of California Irvine Extension and I had taught in China and Kenya. I thought I knew what the courses would entail as I pursued the masters degree to both learn more and open up further opportunities. I ended up getting even more than I expected. What I received included spiritual support from the professors and my fellow students as well as strong academic coursework.
I want to especially mention the course Communicating Values through TESOL, which still guides my daily lesson planning as I work with international students from various backgrounds in the Intensive English Program at the University of California Irvine. This course brought everything I had learned about theories of language and methods of teaching together with the role of the Christian teacher. It taught me how to make discussions of values and beliefs relevant and practical for my students. I still remind myself of the various activities I experienced in that class as I now try to make my students aware of the values inherent in the issues we face in our daily lives.