About
So, where do I begin? How about (in true Primary Coursebook-style) All about me! Well, it all began with a love of languages at school and a desire to explore the word. Then, my degree in French and Linguistics, followed by the TEFL Prep Cert, kicked off my career, first as an EFL teacher in Europe and Singapore, and then as an editor in Educational Publishing. Since then, I’ve been a Freelance Author and Consultant, specialising in Young Learner materials. I’ve written a whole load of Primary ELT materials and, thanks to research trips and author tours, I’ve carried on travelling and meeting teachers and learners around the world. I’ve even dipped a toe back into the classroom from time to time.
Writing
ELT Materials
Of course, there was no Internet when I started teaching, so we had to rely on our resourcefulness and creativity to develop materials. We used our own badly-drawn sketches, magazine pictures, scissors and glue to craft games, pairwork activities and worksheets to bring our lessons to life. We’d crank up the photocopier and make class sets of personalised materials. I always loved this creative part of the job, which is why I went on to become an editor, and then a writer, creating original materials tailored to market-specific briefs.
Articles
Some recent publications
Teaching
My teaching career began in London with the RSA Preparatory Certificate in TEFL. Then I took the RSA Diploma while teaching English in Singapore. Over the years, I taught in France, South East Asia and London, before going into publishing. I’ve taken opportunities to engage with teaching whenever I can, through teacher-training, teaching French in our local Primary School, and most recently, teaching English to Ukrainians in the UK. This helps me stay connected with students, keeps me up to date with methodologies and further enriches my understanding of different languages and cultures.
Presenting
I’ve had some fantastic research trips and author tours, which have taken me to exciting places like Poland, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Egypt, Morocco, China and Japan, where I’ve given commercial and pedagogical presentations. These experiences inform my writing and ensure that my work resonates with learners worldwide.
Playing with words – Vocabulary games and puzzles
Exploring grammar at different speeds and depths
Storytelling in the 21st Century Primary Classroom
Best Days – Best Ways to Learn English
Cultural awareness in the Primary Classroom
Learning English with a Twist
Let’s get physical – Movement and Learning
