BEd(TESOL) student's leadership skills recognised
International student Ching-Ting Ang from Malaysia recently won a 2011 Young Community Leader Award, recognising her stellar contribution to the community. Ms Ang, who also has three part-time paid jobs at Victoria, does volunteer work for a number of Victoria University services, including: mentor for the Te Putahi Atawhai Mentoring Programme; language buddy at the Language Learning Centre; note taker for the Disability Support Service; and as a helper for Victoria International orientation week events.
In addition to her volunteer work at Victoria, Ms Ang volunteers at Wellington's IHC Art Centre and has her ESOL Home Tutor Certificate— through which she has helped immigrants from Ethiopia and Cambodia with their English and adjusting to life in New Zealand. In her spare time, she visits the elderly at Te Hopai Home and Hospital, befriending lonely residents.
Ms Ang says Victoria's Excellence in Experiential Learning and Leadership (ExcelL) programme taught her a lot about 'Kiwi culture', which has helped her with the volunteer work she has been doing in New Zealand.
She is currently studying a Bachelor of Education (TESOL), a four-year professional teaching qualification for teacher trainees from Malaysia who are studying on Malaysian Government or MARA scholarships.