Keith Riguer - TESOL

“I’ve wanted to be a teacher since I was seven years old, inspired by the idea of providing aid. I love to help others learn and create a safe environment in which to confidently understand and learn.

“Knowing what it is like to immigrate to a different country and be out of my comfort zone, I want to support others like me and their learning in a new environment and education system. I chose to study at the University of Auckland because of its promotion of equity and inclusion, which ensures students from diverse backgrounds have that support. I was also drawn to the University, as it’s ranked as New Zealand’s top university across multiple subject areas, including education, and has a diverse student community and multicultural academic environment.

“The offering of specialised TESOL courses made it an excellent choice for me, as I am interested in education and focusing on teaching the English subject. The opportunity to have exposure, engage in multilingual classrooms and explore educational psychology to meaningfully impact students’ learning journeys is also essential for understanding global English education.

“What I love about my courses is that they are very diverse, which allows me to explore my passion for the English subject. My favourites have been my History elective and the language teaching course. I also like the variety of my lectures and tutorials, and the fact they align well with my interests and spark my curiosity.

“The Bachelor of Education (TESOL) is really rewarding and it is relevant to give me more opportunities to teach worldwide. I’m now a part of a multicultural learning environment, interacting with students from different linguistic backgrounds. The TESOL programme includes and encourages collaborative learning, where students can share their teaching strategies and experiences, which is something I’m passionate about.

“I enjoy the various student-led organisations and events celebrating global perspectives, making the University a welcoming space for all students. The student life is very vibrant and diverse, offering many academic and social experiences. There are so many places to explore and meet people on campus too, which has enhanced my social abilities.

“I recently got a gym membership at Hiwa, the new Recreation Centre on City Campus, which has fun fitness and sporting activities. The facilities are sleek and can also provide relaxing environments to focus and study in. I also recently joined student-run magazine Craccum as a contributor, and I am excited to get my writing out there and meet like-minded people.

“The role of an educator means being a mentor, guide, and a trustworthy companion towards students, helping them thrive and grow in academic skills, building and encouraging confidence to help them develop life skills in a supportive environment.

“Once I graduate, I would like to become a teacher, teaching English to primary and intermediate kids and to create a safe and encouraging learning environment. I have met numerous teachers along the way who helped me during my intermediate and high school years, which continues to inspire me to become a teacher to support and encourage other students.”