Aikins Amoah

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

Growing up in a town called Asuoyeboa in the Ashanti region of Ghana, gathering my siblings in the evening and assisting them with their homework was a daily task. Little did I know that I was actually harnessing my passion of letting people understand complex academic assignments with ease. It never came as a surprise to many when I started teaching as a pupil teacher in a remote area even before my university education. I returned to the classroom after my first degree, pursued other professional studies and was transferred to one of the renowned high schools in the Ashanti region. As an English language teacher, I took it upon myself to improve students’ proficiency by accepting the invitation to be a patron for the writers’ and debaters’ club. My school became the first senior high school to get to the finals on two consecutive occasions of the regional high school debate competition: the maiden and second editions of the luv fm high school debate.

In order to further develop my teaching skills in proficiency education, I took up an appointment as a part-time tutor in a private university after completing my first masters education program in ma teaching communicative skills.

After a considerable number of years’ experience in teaching, I now believe in the adage that “teachers are made, not born”.

What made you want to apply to your course and to Leeds?

From my experiences at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education, I needed a holistic and comprehension combination of all the three levels of education, hence choosing MA Education.

To Leeds because as a public research university which is founded on “et augebitur scientia”, the best place to increase my knowledge and also add to knowlegde must definitely be University of Leeds.

What is it that makes you passionate about your area of study?

To me, it is most fulfilling when people make statements starting with “if it wasn’t for my teacher...” Such statements always make me get the passion to change people’s life for good.

What do you think of your course so far – what aspects of the course have you enjoyed the most or are looking forward to the most?

I’ve most enjoyed the fact that the course is tailored towards my teaching experiences in proficiency and, most importantly, adding another sphere of education, special education needs and disability. I am really enjoying my stay at the University of Leeds.

What would you say about the learning facilities at the University of Leeds?

With easy accessibility to online resources, distance learning has been made flexible and easy to catch up even if you miss a class.

How would you describe the student support and community at Leeds? Have you taken part in any co-curricular or social events you would like to mention?

Student support is at the heart of the university especially when it affects the psychological and academic development. And though online, group assignments and presentations are even more conducted than on campus as students are just connected through the Minerva and MS Teams.

What other activities are available for students to take part in outside of their studies and which ones have you tried out yourself?

Though I love being part of extra curricula activities,I was unable to join any other activities, clubs and societies since I am outside Leeds.

But I would love to be a student rep/ambassador to enlighten other students about the university especially international students.

What would you say to anyone thinking of applying to your course?

To increase your knowledge and skills in education, and be in the best place to make great strides and leave indelible marks in people’s lives to change society, come to the University of Leeds.

What do you plan to do once you’ve finished your course? What are you career aspirations?

After completion, I plan to share my acquired knowledge with other students from other part of the world especially in Asia to become an international teacher in english proficiency with international experiences.