Congratulations to Osama Elbeyaly, this year’s winner of the Lynne Young ALDS Graduate Award.
“I have always been interested in language, how people use it to express themselves in various social situations, and how it can be used to affect people’s decisions/beliefs, etc… My interest in Applied Linguistics and Discourse studies was prompted by my background in EFL teacher training. As a trainer, I noticed that trainee teachers responded differently to their mentors. Some mentors were found to be more engaging, effective and encouraging while others were seen as impersonal, ineffective, and condescending. Part of such impact, I think, was due to the trainer’s use of language. I noticed that more successful mentors would involve trainees in their own professional development and make sure trainees have agency over their learning. So, I wanted to explore that area. My current research is a genre analysis of EFL teacher trainers’ observational feedback in the context of an EFL school in Egypt, i.e. the feedback trainees are given after being observed teaching by their trainers. I am planning to pursue a PhD in Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies to further explore these areas of interest, i.e. genre analysis and teacher training.”
About the Award
Valued $1,000, the Lynne Young ALDS Graduate Award is presented annually to a full-time graduate student who demonstrates academic excellence and is enrolled in a Master’s or Doctoral program in Applied Language and Discourse Studies (ALDS).