After gaining my degree in European Literature and History at Manchester University and completing teacher training, I started teaching English in 1997 at Gansu Agricultural University in P R China. My students largely consisted of agricultural scientists involved in post graduate research and needed English for both overseas travel and academic purposes. A prominent feature of the classes was the development of speaking and listening skills to help improve fluency and pronunciation. I also delivered advanced grammar and vocabulary classes as well as assisting the students with academic reports, research papers and personal profiles.

In 2001 I took up a teaching post in East Borneo, Indonesia. Classes were varied and the students very diverse. I taught English to young learners on various vocational courses such as tourism and business management, middle school students who were preparing for higher education and Business English to the commercial and financial sectors of the community.

My experience overseas was both challenging and rewarding and, I hope, had some impact on the professional success of my students.

Since 2004 I have been teaching English with Birmingham Adult Education Services across the city and am now delighted to be giving additional English language support to students at Birmingham College