Qualifications
MA Applied Linguistics (language testing) University of Reading award with distinction (1995).
PhD at Lancaster University (2011)
RSA Cert (equivalent to the current Dip) TEFLA (1979)
RSA Dip TESL (1984)
RSA Dip Training the Trainers (1991)
RSA NCVQ External examiner’s award (1995)
About
I have taught ESOL in a range of contexts, private and state education,
in the UK, Portugal and Italy and delivered teacher training programmes.
For the last fifteen years I have been involved in university
administration, teaching and research.
I currently teach on the BA English Language and Linguistics and BA
TESOL programmes. My subject areas are Sociolinguistics, Academic
Literacies, Teaching Practice and the Pscyhology of Language Learning.
Research Interests
I am interested in the assessment of writing and language assessment
issues associated with the Bologna Process, particularly in relation to
the aim to establish 'readable' and 'comparable' degrees and a
pan-European system of quality assurance.
My PhD research was an
'ethnographic style' study to compare literacy practices on a similar
academic programme in two different national locations in Europe. I
identified multiple contexts that shaped practices and challenge
top-down approaches to establishing common understandings and common
meanings intra- and inter-institutionally.
I am interested in the relationship between text and context, more particularly, a social
practices approach, using ethnography to examine text-making and the
social values embedded in text-making practices, which can only be
inferred by the researcher from the text alone.
Research Projects Undertaken
A survey of the assessment of written English on English language majors in European universities.
Start date: Feb 2003
Finish date: August 2003
PhD project to compare literacy practices on the same academic programme in two different national locations in Europe.
Membership of Professional Bodies
BAAL (British Association of Applied Linguists)
ILTA (International Language Testing Association)
Consultancies Undertaken
Validation panels for:
• English for Academic Purposes programme King Alfred College, Winchester
• BATFL Review Middlesex University
• BA EFL Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
• IAMIS programme (Integrated Access Mode of International Study) Nottingham Trent University
• Expert advisor on panel to benchmark language qualifications to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference)for City and Guilds and the British Council
Teaching Interests
Language testing
Individual differences and language learning
Academic literacy practices
Communication and context
Qualitative research
Expertise
I have had a range of experience in the ELT sector at home and abroad,
including teaching at private and state schools in Portugal, Italy and
London, Bologna university, community education and Industrial Language
Training. I have also worked as Borough Language Co-ordinator in South
Kensington and delivered language awareness training to health staff,
nursery staff and local authority employees in Kensington and Merton.
At Roehampton I developed and co-ordinated the English for Academic
Purposes programme, the BA/BSc Applied English Studies degree and the BA
TESOL.
For me the BA TESOL is a vitally important development in order to
professionalise language teaching. My diverse experience in ELT has
taught me that there is an urgent need for flexible, creative teachers
who have a sound base in English language and language teaching and who
can respond to the demands of different teaching contexts.
Examining Experience
External Examiner for the RSA Profile Certificate
Cambridge ESOL examiner
External Examiner BA EFL Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh
External examiner IAMIS programme Nottingham Trent University