We want to congratulate our AIU graduate for his latest achievement. Sivarajasingam Mahendran was invited to present his doctoral thesis research on the use of counselling psychology in motivating to improve the speaking skills of nonnative adult speakers of English at the 16th Asia TEFL convention 2018 at Macau. English language academics from various countries around the world converged in the University of Macau to present different perspectives in the teaching and learning of English. Dr Siva Mahendran gave a poster presentation and networked with many English language academics all over the world during the convention who were very interested to learn about a unique way to teach, especially working adults in the EFL/ESL classrooms speaking skills quite effectively to motivate them to speak more fluently and correctly within a short time (in about 3 months).

They were shown the positive results of the post tests given to adult learners in the 3- month study as well as some limitations in such a qualitative study as would be expected. The doctoral research study was approved and done with the guidance of Atlantic International University’s professional faculty, which has since been published. The use of counselling psychology approaches mentioned in the mostly qualitative study, enhanced speaking skills quite a bit and gave the EFL/ESL nonnative Adult speakers of English (NNASE) added motivation and practice to improve their spoken English gradually but in a non-threatening, non-judgmental, and empathically conducive classroom environment. The presentation stood out among all the others as it was seen as, globally unique, and perhaps the only one done in the world to teach language speaking skills using counselling psychology approaches to date; other than counselling learning techniques, CLT, used in addition or alternatively to other methods and approaches.

Sivarajasingam Mahendran completed a Doctorate program of Education at AIU.

We are very proud of you Sivarajasingam and we wish you more success in all of your professional projects.