LALS Prize Winners 2013
Congratulations to our LALS Prize Winners - 2013
Mark Toomer - Applied Linguistics Prize
I took my first applied linguistics Master’s paper, Language Testing, at Victoria University via distance learning in trimester 3 of 2011. I had initially planned to do only the one paper, but I enjoyed the paper so much that I decided to complete the whole Master’s course. The lecturers structured the papers very well, providing notes and research articles which highlighted the central issues. Their assignments directed us to explore key theoretical concepts and apply these ideas to our own teaching situations. In 2013, as I was finishing the Master’s course, I was inspired to do further research, so I applied for and was accepted for a PhD in applied linguistics at Victoria.
Nguyen Thi Bao Trang - English Speaking Union Award
Noor Diana Suhaimi - English Speaking Union Award
Having the opportunity to study in Bachelor of Education TESOL for two years in one of the top universities in New Zealand is like a dream come true. Although two years may seem quite short, but the experiences and knowledge that I have gained and learned throughout my studies are priceless. I get to meet the experts in TESOL field and experienced wonderful school-based practices with the local primary kids. I will definitely apply those knowledge and practices in my teaching career as an English primary school teacher in Malaysia and I do hope that I could contribute something significant for the holistic growth of my students and to my nation in a large scale. Thank you to all my excellent lecturers for their endless support and guidance and I hope I can come back to Victoria to further my post-graduate study.
Chris Mahoney - Ian Gordon Prize
Embarking upon an MA in one’s 50s has its pluses and minuses. In my case the workload of studying while working full-time as an EPP teacher at the English Language Institute was compensated for by the joyful and relentless expansion of my learning boundaries. Early on in the process I was introduced to sociolinguistics through a chance attendance at a lecture given by Dr Meredith Marra and, despite also taking papers on classroom practice, it was sociolinguistics that hooked me in to linguistics research. When I finally chose the emerging field of “non-impoliteness” as a research project to finish my degree I was fortunate to have Dr Marra as a supervisor. Her support, and the acknowledgement of my research through this prize, have made all the difference, and I am grateful for the opportunity to express my thanks publicly.