Sedigh said: “The book was directly inspired by my experiences at Southampton. Particularly the challenges I faced when completing master’s level assignments and the skills I developed through that process.”
The book, Completing Assignments in TESOL and Applied Linguistics: A Practical Guide, is co-edited by his MA lecturer Dr Nicholas Bremner and is published by Routledge. It aims to demystify postgraduate coursework.
“I wanted to make the experience of completing master’s assignments more manageable, enjoyable, and transparent for future TESOL and Applied Linguistics students,” said Sedigh.
Teaching experience that shaped a career
As well as his book publication, Sedigh also cites an opportunity to teach on Southampton’s intensive English for Academic Purposes Pre-Sessional programme as one of the formative experiences of his degree.
He recalled: “It provided an excellent chance to gain teaching experience in a UK university context and played an important role in my professional development. It later helped me secure English for Academic Purposes teaching positions at universities in Turkey and Qatar.”
Sedigh is now based at University College London’s Institute of Education where he is completing a PhD in Applied Linguistics while teaching on a master’s TESOL programme. His future ambition is to conduct and publish empirical research before becoming a lecturer on a master’s TESOL programme and supporting prospective and practising English language teachers.
Studying at Southampton
Sedigh credits his time at Southampton as having played a crucial role in his development as a TESOL professional, equipping him with the academic and professional foundations needed to progress.
He said: “The skills I have gained have been fundamental to my growth both as a practitioner and as an academic. Overall, the programme provided me with the knowledge and skills to approach my work professionally and confidently in new teaching contexts.”
He came to Southampton because of its strong academic reputation, its status as a founding member of the Russell Group of universities, and its international rankings.
The MA TESOL and Applied Linguistics course offered a wide range of up-to-date modules, allowing Sedigh to choose those that were in line with his professional interests and long-term career goals.
He highlights the programme’s strong emphasis on critical thinking and reflective learning as a defining feature of the course.
“Several of the tasks were directly connected to real teaching contexts that allowed me to apply theory to practice in a meaningful way.
“Reflective assignments also encouraged me to critically evaluate my teaching experience and reconsider how I would approach teaching in the future. These experiences strengthened both my professional confidence and my pedagogical awareness,” he said.
A global community
One the most valuable aspects of Sedigh’s studies at Southampton was the opportunity to build friendships with students from a wide range of cultural and educational backgrounds.
He said: “I made close friends with other students from Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Thailand, as well as the UK. Learning alongside peers from different contexts broadened my understanding of global educational practices and helped me build a strong support network.”
It was this network that he credits with making a real difference to the challenges he felt being away from home. “Having friends around who offer encouragement and reassurance makes a real difference. I found this intercultural experience enriching both personally and professionally,” he added.
Advice for future students
Sedigh encourages future students to be proactive and take ownership of their learning from the very start of their course.
“Master’s-level study often requires you to find answers independently. Rather than wait for guidance, make use of the resources available to you such as the libraries or asking your peers. Whenever you are unsure about something, ask questions and seek advice,” he said.
“Plan your assignments carefully and actively developing your writing skills based on the feedback you receive. This will help you develop TESOL subject knowledge and key academic skills that are essential for postgraduate study and long-term career development.
“After completing your dissertation, it can be beneficial to gain a practical teacher training qualification, such as the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
(CELTA). Employers increasingly value candidates who have both a master’s degree and evidence of supervised teaching practice,” he added.
You can learn more about Sedigh's through the Routledge website.