Jeff Chandler, MA ’16

Profession: English Learning Academy coordinator, Arkansas State University
Location: Jonesboro, Arkansas
Worked in or travelled professionally to: Jordan, China

My experience in the after you received your TESOL master’s program at Azusa Pacific University was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Each week of the program, I found myself asking questions that I had never thought of before. I was challenged by questions that I did not know even needed to be asked. The result was a greater understanding of language acquisition and who I am as an ESL teacher.

What inspires you to push through the challenges of this career path?

Helping my students fulfill their dream of learning a second language and study abroad drives me daily. Everyone needs to be motivated from time to time. I love serving them in that capacity. I do not want them to be disappointed in themselves because they did not give their all while working toward their goals.

What have your professional travel experiences been like?

My love for cultures started in 1989-90 while serving in Amman, Jordan, for the Ambassador Foundation of Ambassador College in Pasadena. This experience is what landed me my first teaching job in 2009 at Arkansas State University. Currently, I am involved with setting up an English Learning Academy program in China. I spent time in Qingdao, China, and will return there to train teachers and help recruit for the program. Other locations that I will be traveling to in the near future are Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Mexico.