[SELF-REFLECTIVE ESSAY] Markaj

Student ID: 3328297

Since I remember, I always used to have a desire for English language and culture.
Firstly I fell in love with English language when listening to songs in English that sounded
so sweet and I knew I wanted to do my best to understand the words. Moreover, the intensive
classes of English at High school ensured me with my feeling for English even more. On the
last year of my high school studies it seemed so natural and obvious to me to continue to
study English at the University Luigj Gurakuqi in Shkoder. I chose to study British and
American language and culture.
The first tree years of studies were the years when I developed my skills in English
and about English rapidly. From all the subjects passed I used to like Linguistics. I guess I
liked it that time and I still do because this subject is mostly about the English grammar and
grammar consists of set of rules. I like to study subjects where there are the rules, which,
once I learn them, the whole subject becomes so clear to me. Its like when you give an exact
frame to some unique picture and it feels like they fit together as they were made for each
other....
I fell so deep into my studies that the exams period at the end of each semester
suppressed me in a way that I used to feel Really? Is it already the semester over? Time
passed really quickly to me. Soon there was a time to start working on my dissertation. As I
used to read quite a few books in English, I chose Literature. I had an opportunity to choose
which book and what writer I wanted to write about. The choice was pretty easy for me as not
long ago I had read a perfect novel to write about.
Furthermore, I continued with masters studies at University of Tirana focusing on
Language and Intercultural Communication and Tourism. During those two years of studies
Ive learned a lot about tourism and communication. As I consider myself
as a communicative person I really enjoyed my studies. I also had from my side very
appreciated and worth internship at the Ministry of Tourism in Albania, at the Department of
International Affairs. Although only one month long internship gave me unique experience
from the field of formal international communication.
I finished my studies on July 2011. Shortly after studies, on September 2011, I started
to work as a teacher of English at local primary and secondary school. It was something new
for me to suddenly stay on the other side of the classroom but I felt like the right person on
the right place. I guess you can imagine the new teacher, the new starter, full of dreams,
hopes and expectations. It wasnt easy to adapt to the new situation but as the first year
passed I felt more confidential about myself as a teacher.
I loved teaching my pupils English, not only English as a language but I also tried
to pass on them the desire for English that I used to have in their age.
In 2012 I started to work part time at Aleksander Moisiu University of Durres as a
Lector. Shortly I understood the difference between teaching young children and teaching
teenagers. Young children are like a blank workbook, very honest and straightforward.
Sometimes it takes more to explain them the basic grammar or similar difficult tasks but on
the other hand they are very thankful and supple for creative tasks. While on the other hand,
teaching students at university gave me an opportunity to discuss broader topics with them, as
this comes with students age and knowledge.
All these practice opportunities helped me to grow up professionally and become
more mature, developing the sense of real teaching and understanding teachers, sometimes
not easy, position as well as get deeper into students soul as I did not forget my not so far
ago study times.
 [SELF-REFLECTIVE ESSAY] Markaj
Student ID: 3328297
All those years of studies, all years of practice are my life. But there was one
experience I was missing. I was teaching English language and English culture without ever
being in England. I was talking about how does the cake tastes like without ever even being
at the bakery.
My desire of English language and culture drives my focus at London South Bank
University. Therefore, I applied for MSC degree at LSBU. I studied International Tourism
and Hospitality Management. This study gave me the opportunity to dive deep into
tourism and hospitality management sciences. I developed my understanding of the industry,
along with problem-solving and teamwork skills through practice-based learning.
However I did encounter some weaknesses while studying this course that caused on
my performance in some cases. For example, one of the weaknesses that affected my
performance was the fact that as an international student that I was, there were some new
things to me while studying here. One was that in my countrys educational system, working
in a group, or a team, isnt very common. This was something new to me. And I struggled a
lot, because I was mostly used to individual working. This was a great challenge for me, as
there was a risk to be lonely due to my weak approach to teamwork.
Anyway this challenge was helpful for me, as I developed for good my custom of
non-relating too much with others in university. I achieved this by getting involved in many
group discussions. By doing this, my confidence in academics increased, and I developed my
skills of expressing myself more than I would have done two years ago.
Further more, one other difficulty that now I am encountering is time management,
because studying takes a lot of time, meanwhile I have to find time for the family, house
holds, school work, and social life, all these at the same time. In order to overcome this I am
trying to learn some skills regarding time management. Hopefully it will help me manage my
time well.
In conclusion, I think that improving your weaknesses is a key factor if you want to
compete in this world, and also you need to know what you want to become in order to
achieve your objectives