SOP EXAMPLE

유학준비할 때 SOP룰 어떻게 작성해야 하는지 애먹었던 기억이 있어서 작은 도움이나마 될까 하고 샘플 올려 봅니다.

 

Statement of Purpose

 

Applicant’s name: M***

 

Like many other people in countries where English is not the first language, I started to study English quite late; only after I entered Junior High school, (when I was 14). I remember learning English was always so challenging basically for two reasons: the syntax (the different word order) to which I was not used to and so different from linguistic frameworks that were mine, and the rigid teaching styles of my teachers focusing on reading and writing rather than listening and speaking. I had to spend much time memorizing words and learning English grammar by heart to get good grades in the hope of being admitted to a good college.

 

When I went to college and did my Joint Honors German Education (Major) and English Education (Minor) at Chonbuk National University, I realized my interest in learning foreign languages was matched by some interesting dispositions in actually learning them. I must say that the linguistic courses provided such intellectual and cerebral delectation, and provided me with a profound self-reflection and critical understanding of my former language learning experiences. Inspired by the strong inner call of self-exploration and vocation to help my future students, I started reading about language learning theories and English teaching methods.

 

I have been teaching English for about 13 years. I think that language learning always needs good strategies, motivation, and a good teacher to help students to overcome what could sometimes represent a sense of alienation toward a new language or culture- an alienation one may think to exist and an alienation one may implicitly also create by some claustrophobic attitudes because of the fear of the unknown sometimes. I have wanted to give help to my students who want to become effective and fluent communicators in English language. So, I tried to implement interesting games and colorful visual aids in my classrooms to stimulate them to feel joy and interest of learning English and develop a sense of healthy curiosity for new cultures. I have realized that teaching is not only the delivery of knowledge, but also the effort to share with, help minds to develop and embrace world in constant metamorphosis with confidence. My aim, I thought, would be to do my best to show them the pathways towards educational and cultural broadening and understanding through linguistic stimulation.

 

In the light of my desire to fashion my professional identity as an ESL teacher, I wanted to enhance my own English teaching ability and broaden my horizon by taking the initiative towards experiencing linguistic and cultural links and exchanges with many people from all over the world and as frequently as possible. For those reasons, I took some training courses for English teachers in Rutgers University in 2004 and Michigan State University in 2005 as well as Korea National University of Education in 2005 in which I finished 765 hours of intensive English course which gave me an overview of theoretical and practical teaching methodologies.

 

I also provided a student teacher from Australia with a home-stay for one month. My duty was to guide him in the complex understanding of teaching in another culture, offering him guidance and support, while supervising his work and training him during his teaching practicum, as well as liaising with his supervisors and course coordinators at Monash, Melbourne. Through those experiences, I could improve my teaching skills a lot and really understand some invaluable information and viewpoints towards the current education system and trends worldwide. Teaching across frontiers can be challenging and the supervising experience provided me on valuable insights and self-reflection on how language is acquired and how the process of teaching and learning takes place in multicultural settings. 

 

       There are strong reasons I would like to apply to the course of Master of education in Bilingual/TESL at University of Central Oklahoma.  First, I still can't quench my thirst to teach my students with more effective and funny ways in my class because, in my constant desire to progress intellectually, I believe I can still have more training and knowledge of 'Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages' (TESOL)to be even a better teacher. While browsing through the University of Central Oklahoma web site, I noticed that the university’s TESL program has a strong focus on intercultural communication, language use and the practical importance in learning. The course definitely will allow me not only to learn theoretical foundation language acquisition skills but also confer me the necessary professional skills which fit my goal to make changes in the English education program in Korea into a more practical way rather, focusing on effective communication, rather than blindly following and perpetuating a blind faith in the grammar-oriented system currently in place.

 

Secondly, it is my understanding that several professors of the mentioned program master in bilingual language acquisition and teaching. I strongly believe that University of Central Oklahoma is the ideal school that could give me the education I need; one that would help me fulfill my lifetime goal to become a 'reformer' of English education in Korea.

 

I believe that I am a qualified candidate who matches the high standards set by your university. These standards are mine as an inquiring learner and a dedicated professional. I have a strong academic background. I graduated first on the list from the department of German Education and English Education at Chonbuk National University.

I proved the integrity and capability of my academic performances. I also received a master's Degree in the department of English Education at Chonbuk National Graduate School of Education. Upon graduating from your program, I would like to contribute to the vitalization of English education in Korea with my own skills based on TESL.I want to be a creative and responsible English teacher by exploring professional knowledge and acquiring advanced and intensive training in your distinguished program.

 

If University of Central Oklahoma grants me the opportunity to study TESL, I will always endorse your university and represent it with honor, diligence, and dignity.

As someone who has always been very goal-oriented, my favorite motto is this: Chance favors the prepared mind.  

 

Thanking you for taking the time to read my Statement of Purpose, I look forward to hearing a positive reply from you in the near future.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

M***