Alex Wright achieved a Special Commendation by the British Council for the Master’s Dissertation Awards 2021-2022. As a part-time student on our MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Distance Learning programme, Alex completed his degree whilst employed at a university in Japan teaching extensive reading classes. Over the course of the programme he shaped his dissertation around the research he conducted in his work environment.
Alex's dissertation "Measuring Vocabulary Knowledge Growth with a State Rating Task Self-Reporting Instrument" focused on whether or not second language learners benefit from supplemental vocabulary lessons to go along with their reading. The research methods used for his study were unconventional but efficient in visualising the differences between subject groups.
I was really surprised to get this commendation. I worked very hard on it, but in hindsight there are many things I would do differently to make it even better.
Alex Wright
Each year students are encouraged to submit their research for award consideration, publication and recognition. Alex only emphasises the simplicity of the submission process to be considered by the British Council, especially when prompted and supported by academic staff and his peers online. The Department of English Language and Linguistics are proud to see such accomplishments by our Distance Learning cohorts and welcome further success.