What inspired you to work for Westminster College London?
My passion in English learning and professional atmosphere of my workplace has inspired me to work in MFT. Besides, my colleagues are very encouraging and supportive. I must also mention that the enthusiastic students in my workplace are among the most important reasons for me.
Teachers Meeting
Describe a typical day at work.
Morning to noon I have private classes. Then from 2:00 to 7:00 I am in my language department at work and I arrange the classes and do the placement test for the new learners. I also observe the classes and design different activities for language classes. After 7:00, I go to public classes of the institute to teach a range of academic lessons.
Why do you do what you do?
I do what I do because I am the only person who is in charge of managing the language department—and also because I am interested in language learning activities.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Preparing my students for international exams and visiting different learners with different language capabilities are my favorite parts of my job.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
My TEFL experience helps me to guide my students in their learning path. I have participated in some international TEFL practices such as TESOL and IELTS, which have broadened my horizons in language teaching. I have also passed some TTC courses in order to boost my insight into second language teaching.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
One of the challenges is teaching learners to think in English and speak English. I try to encourage my students to watch English films to correct their common mistakes.
Another challenging case is addressing the real need of practice for students, as they are not exposed to language enough. In order to overcome this trouble, I arrange some real-life situations for the students, such as taking them to international restaurants or visiting foreigners.??
Needs analysis is sometimes problematic. Giving questionnaires and interviewing students can help me design a practical learning path for them.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Tell me and I will forget, teach me and I will remember, involve me and I will learn. In my view, foreign language learning mostly depends on creativity and will power.
International Theater Festival, 2020
What makes your organization special?
Bamdad Danesh Language Institute (a partner of Westminster College London) has very talented teachers who are experienced. Furthermore, the management of this institute has made it possible for the learners to trust their language learning system. The friendly atmosphere of the classes is among the significant factors which encourage learners to participate in classes.
Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?
We offer disciplined classes and a friendly atmosphere, as well as experienced trainers and creative lesson planning. These are the most effective criteria for learners who choose this institute. Management should not be ignored.
Are there any developments with your organization that you would like to share with us?
Yes. Language creativity is one of the strongest factors in our institute and I would like to hold some workshops for other teachers. In addition, class management is worth being shared as it is standard and practical.
What makes your organization easy to market to potential participants?
The fame of our institute and low tuition can attract students to take part in classes. Also, online classes make it easy to overcome the difficulty of distance for many students.
What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is making language learning easy and interesting for all age groups by using the latest technologies and facilities as well as motivated and creative trainers.
How do you help support participants?
Learners are supported both in class and online through social networks and learning apps. Also, the institute keeps in contact with the learners’ parents in order to make them aware of their children’s progress.
If you could participate on one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
If I had time, I would like to participate in free conversation classes—they are very useful in inspiring learners to speak English freely.
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
They usually ask me how to practice English effectively and learn it in a short period of time. I always tell them to keep themselves busy with learning new vocabulary and structures, as well as finding real-life situations to use and practice the language.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Because getting familiar with different cultures can broaden your horizons and change your lifestyle. Furthermore, finding the similarities and differences among cultures can bring people powerful insight in increasing the quality of their life and changing their mind.
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Language learning is important as it can pave the way to communicate with different people and cultures. Also, learning a new language is effective in encouraging people to discover new things and increase their life skills.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
They should try to find real reasons and motivation behind going abroad, since superficial reasons don’t make for a fulfilling trip. Also thinking about their potential and abilities will help them being successful in their personal and professional careers abroad.
IELTS Workshop
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel is the one which inspires me to start new activities as well as change some of my inappropriate habits. Meaningful trips should change my mind about my surroundings and lifestyle. It must also give me enough experience and insight into my life.
What does ethical global engagement mean to you?
It means internalizing whatever students learn in and outside of the class, as well as having the ability to teach students to think critically and get cross-cultural experience. In addition to ethical global engagement, students will be provided opportunities for deeper application of ethics back home.
What hopes do you have for the future of international education?
I hope in the future that more opportunities are provided for language learners from different cultures around the world to interact with each other to find better understanding of our global world.
