MA TESOL Quickfire Event 2025
Are you studying an MA in ELT/ TEFL / TESL / TESOL / Applied Linguistics in the British Isles?
Are you wondering what difference this will make to your future?
Would you like to meet MA students from other universities, network and share your experiences?
If so, read on!
The event (MA TESOL Quickfire Dissertation Presentation) will take place in person and online (ie in hybrid format) on Thursday 14th August 2025.
A Quickfire Presentation means that every presenter gives a VERY SHORT (5 minute) summary of their topic (your dissertation research) using exactly 15 PowerPoint slides, which automatically move on every 20 seconds (you can see how to do this in the video below). You should focus mainly on why you chose the topic, how you researched it and what you discovered (if you have reached that stage, what you expect to find if not) - no literature review needed. We realise you may not have finalised your conclusion - this is a chance to discuss your findings and get some feedback before submission.
ONLINE
We will also meet online - the link will be given to registered participants nearer the time.
FOR PRESENTERS
Please watch this video for advice on how to make your PowerPoint presentation. If you have trouble viewing the video, please contact Tilly Harrison and she will e-mail it to you.
Please take your time to create the best presentation you can before uploading as it will be unfair to other presenters to change it after submission. The one you submit will be evaluated and you will present only that file.
If you have any questions about the day please e-mail tilly dot harrison at warwick dot ac dot uk
In the afternoon, Dr Saima N. Sherazi, Head of the Language Centre at Queen Mary) will speak about her journey from MA to PhD to academic career.
Dr Saima Sherazi
Here’s a brief bio:
Saima joined Queen Mary in 2007 and has extensive experience teaching postgraduate research writing and coordinating English Language & Study Skills programmes. She holds a PhD in English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics from the University of Warwick, with a focus on Computer Assisted Language Learning.
She has taught across the UK and internationally, developed bespoke communication courses for businesses and universities, and has over ten years’ experience in English language teacher training. Her current research includes collaborative approaches to teaching writing and the integration of e-learning multimedia in higher education.
You will have the chance to ask questions and clarify your own future plans.
You will also be introduced to the benefits of joining a professional association like IATEFL, and the Research Special Interest group in particular. Details of publication opportunities will also be explained.
We look forward to a dynamic and exciting day!
ORGANISING COMMITTEE
Chairs
- Tilly Harrison (University of Warwick, UK)
- Ernesto Vargas-Gil (Queen Mary University of London, UK)
Members
- Celia Antoniou (University of Strathclyde, UK)
- Eric Ekembe (University of Yaounde, Cameroon)
- Josianne Block (University of Malta)
- Vanita Chopra (British Council, India)
DATE: 14th August 2025
TIME: 10.00 (open from 9.00) till 17.00 (maybe earlier)
VENUE: The Climb, Junction (next to Car Park 4),
Online - link to be given to registered participants
University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL
This year we have presenters from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Lancaster, Nottingham, Essex, Leeds, Kings College London as well as Warwick. Come and network with students on similar courses from all over the UK!
Link to RegisterLink opens in a new window
ALL should register with the above link. Registration for attendance will stay open until 13th August 2025. Those who are registered will be sent the link to the online room on the morning of 14th August.
Feedback from a previous year's event
I think it was a great opportunity for the amateur researchers like us to collaborate and learn from each other. I personally learnt many things from this event such as giving a catchy title to the research, using various apps for analysing qualitative data, using padlet for data collection, reflective case study approach etc, and the list is endless. Although I missed the chance of being a presenter I really enjoyed being an attendee and listening keenly to every presenter especially to their ways of presenting, strategies they applied for doing research, a variety of approaches and of course their motivation to tackle challenging topics. I am thankful to the organizers, presenters and all the teachers with whom I had wonderful discussions in the breakout rooms. I must admit that this event was truly inspiring for me... Cheers !!!
Thank you so much for hosting this event. It was such a great opportunity for us to network with and learn from MA TESOL students from other universities in the UK. Moreover, I have learnt how to present my research in a succinct yet captivating way (because each presenter only has 5 minutes for their presentation). I also appreciate the sharing from Ernesto Vargas who gave us useful advice on the pursuing a career in academia in general and in our TESOL field in particular. I highly recommend this event to any MA TESOL or Applied Linguistics students.