Teaching
Why teaching?
In medical device engineering, as in all human-centric scientific disciplines, sharing knowledge and ideas is central to developing the best, most inclusive solutions. I find a lot of fulfilment in helping people grow their skills, and I have experience teaching classes of various ages and group sizes.
Getting my qualification: Trinity CertTESOL
From July 2022 to May 2023, I took some time out of academia to broaden my professional skills, and consider my next steps. As part of this, I undertook the Trinity CertTESOL teaching qualification, alongside my work with a social enterprise (Gotoco). The Trinity CertTESOL is ranked at Ofqual Level 5 (equivalent to second year at an English university), and is geared towards helping new teachers learn the required competencies to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). This fantastic experience helped me build a range of practical competencies and soft skills, including lesson planning, communication, and creative thinking.
Placements and institutions
- Wang Khaem Wittayakhom School, Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand: 6-week, full-time volunteer teaching placement. Classes were usually 20-30 pupils, whose ages ranged between fourteen and eighteen years.
- Children's Education for Development Organisation (formerly Education in Action), Phnom Penh, Cambodia: 6-week, full-time volunteer teaching placement. Classes were usually 5-10 pupils, whose ages ranged between ten and eighteen years.
- Healthprom UK (online teacher): 10-week series of classes (once per week), teaching English skills to adult Ukrainian refugees. Classes were usually 6-12 pupils with a range of ages.