Empowered by education: from MLitt to management success
Wei Wan (MLitt 2010) explains how the supportive academic community at St Andrews inspired a successful career in English language teaching, teacher training and management.
I came to St Andrews in 2009 from Beijing, China to study for an MLitt in Management. I have so many cherished memories of my time here, but what I remember most is the incredible academic support provided by the International Education Institute and the School of Management (now part of the Business School). I will be forever grateful for that.
Ripples round the rocks
My favourite place in town was – and still is – the West Sands because from there you can view the vastness of the sea going all the way to the horizon, as well as the ripples created by the rocks closer to the shore. For me this analogy extends to my life and work. Being able to see the big picture (like the expanse of the sea) has encouraged me to strive for greater things, while the ripples around the rocks are the challenges that I have overcome along the way.
My time at St Andrews was pivotal in shaping my journey post-graduation. It influenced my personal achievements and spurred me on in my entrepreneurial endeavours.
Graduation in the Younger Hall
Professional progression
Upon completing my degree, I returned to China to hone my expertise as an English language teacher. I proceeded to acquire various professional qualifications in that field: the Cambridge CELTA and DELTA (teaching English to speakers of other languages) and the Cambridge IDLTM (language teaching management).
Having dedicated years to specialising in my chosen field, I decided to pursue an MSc in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition at the University of Oxford. I knew that St Andrews had prepared me well for my application and had provided me with invaluable interdisciplinary skills.
From there, I completed my Postgraduate Advanced Certificate in Educational Assessment at the University of Cambridge, meaning that I had gained qualifications from the top three universities in the UK (with St Andrews, of course, being number one).
Educating the educators
I have drawn on these learning experiences to develop my own career. Today, I serve as a postgraduate lecturer and supervisor at Yanbian University in China. I’m also a guest speaker at institutions including Hong Kong University, Beijing Foreign Studies University and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (in no particular order).
In addition, I am proud to be an official Cambridge CELTA and DELTA teacher trainer and former official Cambridge IELTS examiner.
With my managerial hat on, I ventured into entrepreneurship and leveraged the business knowledge I had acquired through my studies. I founded Deying Education, a CELTA and DELTA Module 2 teacher training centre in China, accredited by the University of Cambridge. Through Deying Education, my mission is to cultivate elite educators who are equipped with strong thinking, problem-solving and systematic training skills, along with a deep understanding of effective English teaching methodologies and practices.
Wei Wan
Support from St Andrews
My time at St Andrews enabled me to meet fellow students from around the world and I have drawn on those experiences to lead an international team dedicated to empowering thousands of teachers in China. We work with the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Tsinglan School and EIC Education (in no particular order), plus many other prestigious institutions. I am proud of what I have built.
In April I had the opportunity to reconnect with fellow St Andrews graduates at an alumni event in Beijing. It was a very memorable occasion and great to meet others in the alumni network who have shared experiences of studying at the University.
St Andrews significantly enhanced my proficiency in English and without that I wouldn’t be where I am today. I have the supportive academic environment and constructive feedback from my school, classmates and locals to thank for setting me up for success and career satisfaction.
To find out more about Deying Education, go to www.deyingedu.com