 Hideki Shimamune
MPhil/PhD in Educational Leadership, Institute of Education,
University of London
Country of origin Japan
Age 43 years
Hideki Shimamune graduated from the University of Tsukuba, where he gained an MBA (Master of Business Administration).
“I selected the IOE without hesitation because it is renowned in my country as a leading institution.”
Having worked as a management consultant in the private sector, I wanted to utilise my private management skills within education. I knew that the UK was introducing private management skills as part of school reforms, so I decided to research educational management at a British university. I selected the Institute of Education (IOE) without hesitation because it is renowned in my country as a leading institution; researchers from the IOE are frequently cited by Japanese scholars.
At the IOE I have had the opportunity to talk with many excellent lecturers with international reputations. Collaborating through our research provides me with not only explicit but also tacit knowledge to enhance my expertise. Many students from various backgrounds gather at IOE; they are serving teachers, headteachers, policy-makers and civil servants from around the world. Colleagues here come from many countries including the UK, China, Greece, the USA, India, Iran and Papua New Guinea. I appreciate the chance to learn from their various perspectives.
The IOE provides an environment in which to improve our research. Through various courses and events, I have been able to talk with many lecturers, researchers, classmates and other staff about topics which vitally enrich my research.
 Sanghita Sen
MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
(TESOL), Institute of Education, University of London
Country of origin India
Age 38
Sanghita Sen has a BA (Hons) and MA in English from the University of Burdwan, a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching of English, and an MPhil in Linguistics and Phonetics from the Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages, India.
“I wanted hands-on professional training from an internationally reputed institution.”
The Institute of Education, as a centre of excellence in studies in education, hosts a galaxy of experts in the field. I came to know about the Institute through numerous books and articles written by well-known academics like Catherine Walter, Gunther Kress, Jan Blommaert, Ken Hyland, David Block and Fiona Hyland. It is immensely satisfying to study in an institution that is also home to these academics.
My training at the Institute gave me a focus and research orientation in the field of ESL (English as a second language) teacher education. Until now I have worked as an ESL teacher, educator and researcher more on the basis of my professional experience than on any formal training or research. I wanted hands-on professional training from an internationally reputed institution. This urge prompted me to apply for admission to the MA TESOL programme at the Institute. I’m much better equipped for my profession in India since starting the training.
Our modules are well planned, balanced and rich in content.What I have found especially beneficial is individualised academic support from the tutors, an excellent library and additional training for academic writing from the Centre for Academic and Professional Literacy Studies (CAPLITS), which is one of our greatest assets at the Institute.
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