Q&A with Jing Wang
Jing graduated from the Primary Education (4-12) MA in 2018. She is now working as a Chinese Programme Coordinator at a London school.
Hi Jing! Why did you choose to study your programme and what made you choose the UCL Institute of Education (IOE)?
After working at a primary school for two years, I realised that there are many aspects of primary education that I needed more professional development in. After some research and looking through several master’s programs in the UK, I believe the Primary Education MA at the IOE offered me what I was looking for. First of all, the IOE offers one of the best learning opportunities in the field of education. Second, the courses are well designed and taught by renowned professors.
How have you applied the learning from your degree in your job?
My MA equipped me with a thorough understanding of the primary education system, education policies, contemporary issues, and good practices in primary education. All of these aspects are very important in doing my job as a coordinator in a primary school.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy that the job allows me to do what I am truly passionate about, which is immersion education for children.
I am at a position where I can really support the teachers to understand how to teach both the content and a foreign language effectively. It makes my day when children let me know how much they enjoy learning in school.
Was there anything in particular from your time at the IOE that was valuable for your current career?
My employer especially appreciated my experience in immersion teaching and my understanding of UK’s primary school system. Thanks to the MA, and especially my tutor Dr Amanda Ince, I had the flexibility and support to explore a topic that I’m really passionate about in my dissertation, which was about Chinese immersion and non-immersion teaching approaches in a UK primary education context.
Also, having graduated from UCL with merit is greatly appreciated by my employer, because UCL enjoys such a great reputation in Education.
Do you have any tips or helpful advice for incoming students?
The professors and tutors are very friendly and knowledgeable. Try to take advantage of having their great minds around. Also, go explore our libraries. As a student here, we can have access to not only all the UCL libraries, but also the libraries from University of London.
What did you enjoy most about your programme?
I enjoyed my dissertation the most. To start with, I thought it would be painful and boring. However, I found it to be one of the most interesting parts. In order to write my dissertation, I did some data collection at several schools. The experience helped me to gain a deeper understanding of the primary school system in London. It was very beneficial considering that I was an international student, having only learnt about the UK’s primary education system from previous university courses. My advisor, Dr Ince, has given me so much freedom and support in my learning journey - I appreciate this very much.
Since leaving, have any of the services for alumni been useful to you?
The UCL alumni library card it provides me a good studying space and ample academic books and journals with a reasonable price.
I thought (the dissertation) would be painful and boring. However, I found it to be one of the most interesting parts.
