Sora
Fujishima

Tell us about yourself...

My name is Sora Fujishima. I’m from Japan and currently studying in MA TESOL at NTU.

What made you decide that NTU was the right university for you?

The main reasons why I decided to choose NTU were the practicality of the lessons and the location. I wanted to study in an environment where I could not only learn theories related to my major but also have the opportunities to apply them in the lessons. When I looked at the NTU (MA TESOL) course page, I saw that the course ensures practical lessons and a wide range of modules with students from a wide variety of countries. This information inspired me to study at NTU. Also, the location of Nottingham was a major factor. Because I had never been to the UK before, I wanted to experience this country’s history and diverse culture. Nottingham, located in the centre of the UK, is ideal for travelling to various regions. Actually, I have been able to visit many areas including London, Manchester, Birmingham etc… by train or bus, despite my busy coursework!

What have you enjoyed most about your course, and what has been the biggest challenge?

I’m so satisfied with the course so far and I want to praise my old self for choosing NTU to study TESOL! As I wrote in the first question, this course is very practical and I could learn through discussion and groupwork with students from various countries. This was such an amazing experience for me because I can hear a lot of stories about English teaching in different contexts, which cannot be learned in textbooks. Also, I did not only observe English lessons but also had the opportunity to teach English to English learners living in Nottingham. This was a valuable experience for me as I could apply my learning to my real teaching! Although I learned English teaching in an undergraduate course at a Japanese university before this MA, I could deepen my knowledge of TESOL from new perspectives at NTU.

For me, academic writing and lessons conducted in English were one of the biggest challenges because English is not normally spoken even in the lessons related to TESOL at Japanese universities… However, the teachers in my course always gave me kind advice and support through tutorials and lessons so I could overcome these challenges and have a great time during the lessons!

What has been your most memorable experience at NTU so far?

My unforgettable experience at NTU is Global Week! I collaborated with my Japanese friends and teachers at NTU and spread Japanese culture to many students at NTU! I performed a Japanese traditional wooden toy called ‘Kendama’ and I was so happy that many students got interested in it. Because this experience was my first time to present the culture of my country, it was a most memorable event!

In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between the UK and Japan?

Honestly, I think food culture is the biggest difference between the UK and Japan. I did not know that many ingredients sold in Japan are not available in the UK… However, there are a few Asian supermarkets and Japanese restaurants near the campus so I don’t feel any difficulty with my meals! Also, I often go to pubs and restaurants with my friends at affordable prices because of student discounts!

Do you have any favourite restaurants in Nottingham? I am sure our future students would be interested to hear your recommendations!

If you miss Japan, please go to ‘NAN TEI’ near Nottingham Castle! You can remember Izakaya (Japanese-style dining bar). There are a lot of items that you can feel authentic Japanese tastes such as Yakitori, Takoyaki etc… in NAN TEI!

How do you think your course has prepared you for your future career?

This course (MA TESOL) has developed my foundation as an English teacher because the teachers gave me a lot of insightful views and lessons through the modules. Especially in English teaching, I could learn why particular learning tasks are necessary for the learners through this course. Also, this course made me realise the importance of academic research in the field of second language acquisition and TESOL, so I want to bring my knowledge obtained in this course to further academic study in the future.

For English teachers in Japan who are planning to study TESOL, I recommend choosing NTU! There are many teachers who are familiar with Japanese educational contexts in this course. Actually, they gave me a lot of advice to improve English lessons in Japanese schools taking into account the current problems and situations of English education in Japan. Through this course, I could learn what is further needed for my future students in Japan!