Muath Algazo

Curriculum Studies and Studies in Applied Linguistics

Muath Algazo

Curriculum Studies and Studies in Applied Linguistics

I am a PhD student in Education studies/Applied Linguistics. The unique experience of being a PhD student, in the department of Curriculum Studies and Studies in Applied Linguistics, has given me a boost to raise, improve and enhance potential in a wide range of academic and research skills. I believe that the 'PhD degree' from the University of Western Ontario is a crucial step to commence my next level of professional and personal upgrade.

My interest in Applied Linguistics has been fostered by studying for a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the Hashemite University, Zarqa/ Jordan. I then went on to obtain a Masters' degree in Applied Linguistics (coursework based) from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Sydney/ Australia. The need to improve my research skills led me to do another Masters’ degree in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies (thesis based) from Carleton University, Ottawa/ Canada.

Before I started my PhD program, I had taught English in Saudi Arabia for six years. I had first taught at Alghad International College for Medical Sciences for one year then in Al-lieth University College for five years. My teaching experience had brought me personal and professional learning, as well as the opportunity to examine what I learned in Applied Linguistics.

Research

My research interests evolve around the area of teaching and learning a second language. Specifically, my doctoral research is going to investigate the role of first language in the second language classroom: policies and practices, and the data will be collected from public schools of Jordan. This proposed research is built on my Masters’ thesis entitled “The Role of First Language (L1) in the Second Language (L2) Classroom: The case of Jordanian Public Schools” and intends to answer the questions that were raised in my Master’s research.

Course Work Completed

  • PhD seminar

  • Special Topics: Critical Pedagogy

  • Qualitative Research in Education

  • Critical Policy Studies in Education

  • PhD Independent Reading/ Research

  • Intro to Quantitative Research Methods

Conferences Attended

*Algazo, M. (2020, June). The Role of First Language (L1) in the Second Language (L2) Classroom: English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Teachers' Views. Paper accepted at the Canadian Society for the Study of Education (CSSE) 2020 Conference, London, ON, Canada.

*Algazo, M., (2019, March). The Role of First Language (L1) in the Second Language (L2) Classroom: English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Teachers’ Views. Robert Macmillan Graduate Research in Education Symposium. London, ON, Canada.

Publications

Algazo, M., (2018). The Role of First Language (L1) in the Second Language (L2) Classroom: The case of Jordanian Public Schools. (MA thesis, Carleton University)

Algazo, M., (In review). The Role of First Language in the Second Language Classroom: EFL Teachers’ perspectives.

Algazo, M., (In review). Functions on first language in the second language classroom: Students’ observations.