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Dr Uma Maniam

Position
Teaching Fellow - Education
Faculty
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
School
Education

Can you tell us about your research, work and expertise in Southeast Asia?

I am an early career researcher. I worked in Malaysia for almost 19 years in both secondary schools and higher education institutions. I started my career as an English tutor in a language centre in Kuala Lumpur. Upon completing my bachelor degree in the National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia), I was offered a position to teach English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in a technical college in Selangor, Malaysia. Several years later, I completed my postgraduate degree in the University Malaya in the field of education. I was fortunate to work in the same university at the Faculty of Language and Linguistics. My interest for leadership in education gave me the opportunity to pursue Doctor of Education (EdD) in the School of Education Leeds. I was offered a job in the same school as a teaching fellow in TESOL in 2021.

My current research project is closely linked to my country of birth, Malaysia. This project seeks to support English teachers in rural Tamil vernacular schools in Malaysia by developing effective teaching materials. Tamil schools are essential for preserving Malaysia’s cultural and linguistic diversity, yet they face significant challenges in English education due to limited resources and professional development. The Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025 underscores the need to improve English performance, particularly in rural areas.

This qualitative study will focus on selected rural schools in northern Malaysia, involving classroom observations and semi-structured interviews with English teachers. This findings of the study will help understand the specific needs and challenges faced by Tamil school teachers in developing suitable tasks and materials for students based in rural schools. Insights from this research will guide targeted professional development, resource allocation, and collaborative material development initiatives.

By enhancing the quality of English education, this project aims to promote educational equity, ensuring that children in rural communities receive the same learning opportunities as those in urban areas. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving educational outcomes and supporting the overall development of students in rural Tamil schools. For the purpose of this research, I am currently waiting for a grant application to be approved.

Any anecdotes you would like to share?

I was born and raised in Malaysia, and lived in Kuala Lumpur before coming to Leeds. I have been living in the UK since 2014 with my husband and two talented daughters. My great grandparents were from the South of India. I'm fluent in Malay, Tamil and English, and I understand Indonesian language enough to be able to converse moderately. I worked with the Cambridge Assessment as a exam paper setter for Tamil GSCE examinations for few years. My interest in Indian culture gave me an opportunity to complete an Indian classical artform in India in 2014. I am a trained and qualified Indian classical dancer.