Margaret Oben Ndip

She was born in Cameroon and spent more than 5 years working in China as an ESL teacher.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I wanted to develop my skills and be able to teach my students better as I realized that I was lacking in many areas. I wasn't too sure which course to take until I spoke with friends who encouraged me to take the TESOL course. Taking the course definitely wasn’t a mistake, and I am glad I listened to those who had taken the course before.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

I was assisted when preparing my final project, whenever need arose. I must admit that sometimes, the way I did things in the classroom had an influence, albeit, negative on my learning. This caused me some trouble during my final paper. Help was always available when I needed it. On the other hand, I had to job-hunt myself, so that was a little tough.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Don't undermine it. It will definitely take you places. Many people tend to underestimate the TESOL course because it seems something that can be used only in certain countries. Well, it is absolutely a necessity in my country as well, given that we have both English and French speakers. Like the saying goes, "what's good for the gander is good for the goose.”

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The workload is just enough to follow at your own pace. This makes it easier to come back to whatever was not properly understood. This enables a full time employee, a businessman, and even a student to take this course without pressure. It also means the learner puts in his or her best because they can decide what time suits them best.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was not being able to deliver the required material in a way that could be understood by learners. My experiences helped me cope over the years, but my confidence level skyrocketed when I took the TESOL course online. Not only did it give me recognition outside, it also made me feel equipped to teach.

Would you take the course again if given the chance?

Certainly! I will certainly be able to pick up some things I may have missed before. Retaking the course would serve as an evaluation for me – to see how much I have been implementing the things I learned as well as to reorganize my ideas.