Statement of Purpose

We have been given languages to communicate which has distinguished us as human beings from other creatures in this world. This ability to communicate using different languages has fascinated me since I was a little girl. My father’s profession gave him the opportunity to travel numerous times. The more he travelled, the more I discovered that there are many interesting languages other than my own language, Arabic. Additionally, my parents always talked about how I used to write on the walls pretending to be a teacher. They still remember how I forced them to paint our room many times because I used to use crayons to explain mathematics to my brother. In brief, my childhood love of languages and teaching indicated a proclivity for teaching English later on in my life.

These two experiences cemented my future career as an English language teacher. I was very passionate about teaching English as a foreign language. I taught English at Libyan secondary schools for about eighteen years. I taught English for specific purposes at secondary schools that specialize in languages, sciences, and engineering. Yet, there was a dream of being a university teacher that I wanted to fulfill. When I was granted a scholarship to study my masters degree, I decided that I would have to study TESOL to improve my teaching skills and to be more professional.

The experience of studying at Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne/UK, was beneficial in many ways. First of all, it improved my English as I was using it as a learner and as a user. It was rewarding because I was involved in a new area which is academic writing. This made me decide to study the difficulties encountered by Libyan postgraduate students while writing in English for academic purposes. Feedback was another area of interest that I came across during my MA study. The type of written feedback we used to receive along with our assessment forms made me realize its importance in the improvement of students’ academic writing which was the reason why I included it in my research study. I decided to explore Libyan postgraduate students’ views towards tutors’ feedback effectiveness in improving students’ academic writing. My MA study also extended my knowledge of my subject area, Applied Linguistics and TESOL.

After graduation, I worked as a university teacher in Alfateh University in Tripoli, Libya. I taught different courses which included: (a) Writing courses: EL 110 Writing 2, EL 215 Writing 3, EL 221 Writing 4, EL 440 Academic Writing 1; (b) Listening & speaking courses: EL 215 Listening & Speaking 3, EL 220 Listening & Speaking 4, EL 332 Advanced Listening & Speaking 2, EL 332 Advanced Listening & Speaking 3; (c) Teacher preparation courses: EL 336 Instructional Strategies 1. (d) Pronunciation courses: EL 106 Pronunciation 1; and (e) English "for non-specialists": EL 100 English Language 1.

After a year of being a faculty member in the department of English Language at the Faculty of Education, formerly known as the Teacher Training College, I was elected as the head of the department from July 2007 to September 2009. During that period I was responsible for different departmental tasks and new issues to be explored. Most of all, I discovered leadership skills I did not know I had and was able to work with others effectively. One of the most rewarding experiences was being the head of the curriculum development committee of our department and then a member in the final committee that was responsible for developing a curriculum for all English Departments at the Faculties of Education in Libya. Being in such positions made me realize the need to pursue my studies in order to be an expertise and be able to defend my academic choices.

Therefore, I've decided to pursue my studies for a doctorate degree for many reasons. The most important one is to study English at a degree level where English is the native language. This will give me the chance to learn how to use English language in both academic and social situations effectively. In addition, this study will help me become an expert in my field of interest and build a solid foundation for my career by developing more advanced knowledge of academic writing. Furthermore, this course will give me the opportunity to improve my teaching skills, research skills, and critical thinking skills. Moreover, this experience will enhance my knowledge, especially about others' cultures and customs (English-speaking cultures) as well as discovering new places. As it is known, teaching a foreign language involves teaching the culture of that language. This experience will improve my intellectual and emotional satisfaction, as well. Also, the People's Committee for Higher Education in Libya needs many highly educated personnel to improve the quality of teaching in Libya and be competitive with other universities. Thus, this course will give me the chance to be employed with a high income and increase eligibility for career advancement. Last but not least, A Ph.D. in Composition and TESOL will give me the opportunity to work on some practical problems in second learners’ communication such as barriers of communication and the influencing factors of the use of a foreign/second language. It will also improve my writing proficiency and will allow me to learn how to write articles and journals in English to be published.

To be honest, I chose Indiana University of Pennsylvania because of its reputation for its research and teaching in Libya and around the world. Another factor that helped me in making this decision is that it gives me the opportunity to develop myself professionally as well as personally. Through my study at the Department of English at IUP, I intend to become a pioneer in Composition and TESOL and revolutionize the teaching of academic writing as a second/foreign language and avoiding plagiarism.

I am particularly interested in second/foreign language learners' academic writing and plagiarism and the role of tutors' feedback. This is because this area is relatively a new area of research in the Libyan context. I am interested in Libyan English major undergraduates' academic writing practices and their perceptions, interpretations, and practices towards plagiarism. I also intend to look at how tutors' feedback can help them avoid plagiarism. This investigation, hopefully, will provide suggestions to improve the existing academic policies regarding academic writing and plagiarism. I hope to contribute in introducing proficient academic writers who are aware of academic integrity and the consequences of plagiarism in Libya and contribute in research by comparing my results to the existing studies.

It would be a great opportunity for me if you consider my application for your Graduate program and send me an offer. I know that this journey needs hard work, discipline, commitment, and organization. As you know, God helps those who help themselves.