Indonesia
Firman Parlindungan, S.Pd., M.Pd., Ph.D., is Universitas Islam Malang (UNISMA) Postgraduate Program alumni who went on to earn his doctorate from Ohio State University, United States of America. He credits UNISMA with teaching him a great deal — most notably in the field of research, from formulating critical research problems through to designing appropriate research methodologies. He also developed his understanding of academic writing conventions for scholarly articles and research reports.
In His Own Words
For me, teaching is a passion particularly teaching English. It is a calling pursued with genuine enthusiasm. There is a widespread assumption in society that teaching English requires little more than English language skills themselves: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. The thinking goes that as long as these four skills are mastered and paired with sufficient confidence, anyone can stand before a classroom and teach.
While there is some truth to that notion, teaching English is, in reality, far more complex. I began to appreciate this and grew increasingly drawn to the field of English language education — after completing my undergraduate degree at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Islam Malang (FKIP UNISMA) in 2011. I subsequently decided to pursue a Master’s degree in English Language Education at the UNISMA Postgraduate Program.
Over those two years (2011–2013), my understanding of English language teaching expanded considerably. I deepened my knowledge of pedagogical theory and practice competencies that play a pivotal role in a teacher’s professional development. I equipped myself with a range of instructional techniques, as well as the skills to design, deliver, and evaluate active, innovative, and learner-centred language instruction.
Alongside this, I strengthened my linguistic expertise across a broad spectrum of disciplines, including linguistics, applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, pragmatics, translation, and the four core English language skills. Mastery of these areas is indispensable for any educator seeking to meaningfully transfer knowledge through the act of teaching. Without a solid command of the English language, teaching risks becoming misguided, ultimately doing a disservice to students.
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What proved even more formative was the depth of research exposure I gained through the UNISMA Postgraduate Program. From learning how to formulate incisive research questions to designing rigorous research frameworks, the program equipped me thoroughly. I also developed my grasp of academic writing conventions for scholarly publications and research reports. The lecturers of UNISMA’s Master’s Program in English Language Education possess extensive research knowledge and expertise. The foundation in research and academic publication that I built at UNISMA ultimately paved the way for my doctoral studies in the United States which I completed on time in 2019.
On the matter of facilities, UNISMA’s progress has been remarkable. With comfortable classrooms, reliable internet access, and a digital library, completing a Master’s degree there is by no means a formidable task. I learned from and alongside individuals who share a genuine passion for teaching. That experience gave me the confidence to grow as a scholar and to keep striving toward my life’s goals.
Teaching is not merely about foundational skills. It must always go hand in hand with self-development both in terms of qualifications and professionalism. Teaching demands strong resolve and sincere intention, for it involves a complex constellation of thought. And everything I needed to build that foundation, I found at UNISMA.
Firman Parlindungan, UNISMA Alumni
