Phuc (Paul) T. V. Trinh

master's student in the Faculty of Education

I am a graduate student doing my second-year of MEdTEAL at SFU. I have earned my first master degree in Applied Linguistics at Curtin University in Australia. Language education and literacy development is my passionate field of studies. I have been working as a language instructor, a curriculum developer, a teacher trainer, a program coordinator, and a center manager for ten years before doing my studies in Canada.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO COME TO SFU?

I had the pleasure to attend a talk show in the honorable attendance of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his visit to my university in 2017. Thanks to this event, I learned more about students’ academic aspirations and sociocultural needs, which further encouraged my inquiring mind in the direction of curriculum innovation in language education. Consequently, I started to read more into the educational foundation of British Columbia in Canada where Mr. PM Trudeau used to study and only to find the MEdTEAL of SFU attracted me with its appealing characteristics. In particular, its program curriculum on the website caught my attention when it exhibited elements having shaped my intellectual thinking.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RESEARCH OR YOUR PROGRAM TO A FAMILY MEMBER?

Indeed, I have considerably expanded my knowledge horizons in the field of language education after my first studying year. My program lays an emphasis on conceptualizations of language learning and learners, critical understandings of theoretical insights and principles in language pedagogy, and practical implications in learning development in multicultural and plurilingual contexts. The program also focuses on the sociocultural perspectives on education, teacher and learner identities, awareness of languages, cultures and literacies across the curriculum, and the choices of teachers in fostering changes and having a positive impact on their instructions at individual, institutional and societal levels. The program is so inspiring and I am entirely satisfied with it.

WHAT ARE YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOYING ABOUT YOUR STUDIES/RESEARCH AT SFU?

I am particularly illuminated by the course deliveries of leading experts in the language education field in Canada. It is my great honor to be advised by Prof. Angel Lin, a well-known expert in plurilingual and intercultural education. I have learned so much from her expertise, especially in sociocultural perspectives on education and identities, and innovative practices of integrating languages and supporting literacies in content teaching. It is also my genuine pleasure to study with Prof. Roumi Ilieva who has shaped my intellectual inquiries in theoretical approaches in language pedagogy and teachers as active change agents.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?

I am proud of being part of this profoundly professional learning community. In addition, experiencing the natural beauty of BC province is a rewarding and valuable thing every student should have in their lives.

Contact : ptt3@sfu.ca