About

Babel Placement Test

This is a free & down-loadable test. It has been trialled and used over a four year period in a large training organisation. any comments, please email me.

About me

I am currently working as a TEFL teacher in the Izmir Economic University (Turkey). Previously I have worked in Spain, Kuwait and the United Kingdom. I have worked as a teacher, course designer, curriculum developer, tester as well as in various administrative roles.

Many interests have conspired to get me to make this site. Both the Open Source community and several colleagues have inspired me to share teaching materials. An interest in web site design and building has led me to publish here on the internet. An active interest in teaching and learning leads me to research and explore language and language teaching. Last but not least the site is intended to serve as a “can do” statement for potential and future employers.

I have been very fortunate in accruing a large amount of varied ESOL experience in a relatively short period of time. I have delivered and designed courses for both juniors and adults, general English and English for special purposes [ESP] courses, examination driven courses (Cambridge, Trinity, IELTS, TOEIC and TOEFL) as well as having a wealth of experience as an examinations designer and writer. During my time as Director of Studies and examinations writer I have delivered, or have been closely involved with the writing and delivery of in-service teacher training [INSETT] courses.

During the summer months, I have gained experience in running Study-Tour Residential Schools for both seniors and juniors. I have held both Director of Studies and Centre Manager posts for International Language Centres and more recently Embassy CES.
More recently I have gained experience delivering courses for a variety of clients in a number of contrasting situations, including Liverpool Housing Trust, Gingerbread, Everton Football Club, Maddocks Language Services, and Liverpool Lifelong Learning.

Education: TEFL

  • Oct. – Dec. 2000: Cambridge DELTA at ITTI, Hastings.
  • 1997: Sheffield Hallam University TESOL postgraduate certificate with distinction in the practice phase.
  • 1997: Trinity College TESOL certificate.
  • 1992-1996: Sheffield University BA Hons. Hispanic Studies & Portuguese. English Linguistics in year one with honours and was awarded the “Petrie Watson Scholarship” in order to research material for a book.

Experience

  • I have presented seminars on teaching methodology, as well as devising and implementing task based learning curriculum run in conjunction with staff development courses for non-native teachers of English. I am currently a ICELT trainer in training.
  • I have a solid academic and theoretical background: I developed a suite of examinations: TARGET in conjunction with IPETQ (Kuwait) and the University of Aston (United Kingdom). I have experience of online placement test development using Question Mark Perception software as well as question analysis and statistical benchmarking according to facility values. I have good IT skills as a result.
  • My work as a respected examiner and assessor in the Middle East have called for an approach to equality and fairness that goes beyond that catered for in many Equal Opportunity Initiatives.
  • I am an experienced summer school manager and am accustomed to developing relationships with other service providers. This means I am a team player: effective leadership and team creation calls for empathy, independence of thought and careful planning.

Employment History

  • I am now a certified IELTS examiner.
  • Currently I am working as an EAP instructor at the East Mediterranean University. I am responsible for TOEFL provision for the community courses and I am an ICELT trainer in training.
  • Jan 2005-Sept 2005. English Language Solutions, Baku. I worked at BP Sangachal terminal. We were responsible for total immersion training courses for Azerbaijanai trainees.
  • September 2003 to the present: I have been self-employed as a freelance language tutor and consultant. Clients include: Embassy CES, Liverpool Housing Trust, Everton Football Club, Maddocks’ Language Services, and Liverpool City Council.
  • July-August Embassy CES: Employed as Centre Manager at Kingswood vacation summer school.
  • 2001-June 2003 IPETQ, Kuwait: TARGET examinations writer.
  • July-August 2001 Embassy CES: Employed as a Director of Studies & Centre Manager at South Bank vacation summer school.
  • February-June 2001 IPETQ, Kuwait: IELTS tutor at Joint Operations, Wafra.
  • August-September 2000 Embassy CES Employed as a Director of Studies at UCL vacation summer school.
  • June-July 2000 Embassy CES: Employed as a Director of Studies at Canterbury vacation summer school.
  • 1999-2000 John Atkinson School of English: Employed as a TEFL tutor.
  • July-August 1999 ILC, Hastings: Employed as a Director of Studies at Canterbury vacation summer school.
  • 1998-1999 John Atkinson School of English. Employed as a TEFL tutor.
  • July-August 1998 Thames Valley Cultural Services: Employed as a TEFL tutor.
  • 1997-1998 St. Patrick’s Academia de Inglés, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain: Employed as a TEFL tutor.

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