Meet our trainers
We are happy to have this opportunity to introduce our teacher-training staff.
Elaine Allender
My first experience of designing and delivering teacher training courses was here in Oxford where I worked on several programmes for primary school teachers from France and the Netherlands. Later I designed a course in Advanced Language and Methodology for Secondary School teachers (see the course outline for more details). Delivering these courses is the highlight of my working year as it’s both hugely enjoyable and often inspirational working with like-minded individuals from around the world. I like to think we spur each other on to explore new ideas and deliver better teaching to our students. I am also a CELTA trainer and love seeing trainees with no initial experience achieving their potential and realising that, yes, they can actually teach.
Simon Dix
I've had over twenty years experience of designing and running teacher training courses and workshops for native and non-native English language teachers both here in the UK and abroad. These have been for teachers who work in private language schools and the state sector (at primary and secondary level). Since joining British Study Centres, I have trained as a CELTA course trainer and have worked as a tutor on many of our courses here. I am currently working on materials for CLIL courses, which we will be running in the near future, and I hope to be involved in the development of courses which focus on Culture and Literature.
Mark Bartram
My name's Mark Bartram, and I'm the Course Tutor for the DELTA Course. I've been running DELTA courses since 1988, first in Italy, and then in Oxford. I'm also an assessor for the DELTA external examination. As a teacher, teacher trainer, examiner, and Director of Studies, I've worked in various countries, mainly Italy and the UK. I still regularly teach EFL, and I believe it's important that trainers don't lose touch with the classroom. I've published various EFL books, including Correction (LTP/Heinle) and Initiative (CUP), and I'm currently writing secondary materials for OUP. Outside work I enjoy reading thrillers, cooking, gardening, playing tennis and squash, and ferrying my children to their various appointments around Oxford.
Carole Robinson
I'm Carole Robinson. Since 1997 I've worked as a freelance teacher, teacher trainer and inspector for the British Council. I'm a CELTA assessor and trainer, but am more heavily involved in the Cambridge DELTA scheme, for which I am Joint Chief Moderator. I'm based in Oxford, where I've taught DELTA (and DTEFLA before it), for over twenty-five years. I've worked in many parts of the world on training courses for teachers, including Sweden, Thailand, and Russia. As an assessor, advisor and trainer for DELTA I've worked most recently in the USA, Bulgaria, Brazil, Hungary, and Indonesia. Recently, I've been working on an intensive DELTA training course in Buenos Aires. When I'm not working, I enjoy being entertained by friends or at the theatre.
Tim Lewis
I've now been in TEFL since 1996 and in addition to my role as Resource Manager I'm one of the CELTA trainers, Acting Course Manager and a senior teacher, all of which ensure I am fully immersed in all operating areas of the school.
Before joining BSC Oxford in 1999 I taught in Thailand, Spain and several other schools in Oxford all of which helped me decide to pursue a long-term career in English language teaching.
Outside of work is now mostly spent doing things with my partner and our two young children, Heather and Kosta. Apart from them, I continue to have a passion for cooking, especially Thai food, which I got addicted to when working there.
Jenny Craig
My name is Jenny Craig. I lived and worked in Italy for some years, and since then, have worked in London, Cambridge and Oxford. I am a free-lancer, working as a teacher and teacher-trainer in ELT, at both CELTA and DELTA level.
I have a Cambridge DELTA myself, and am a Joint Chief Assessor for the CE:LTA scheme. I also mark the DELTA written exam. When not working, I am a passionate gardener, play tennis and do a fair amount of theatre-going.
Lynne White
My name's Lynne White. I'm a free-lance teacher and teacher trainer. I lived and worked in Spain, and I have also taught in Serbia and Peru. I worked for several years at Godmer House (now Regent Training ) teaching and training on CELTA courses, and then at the Swan School, where I was very involved with teacher refresher courses, as well as being a Course Director, Academic Advisor, and trainer on the DELTA. My interests are gardening, cycling and cooking, and I am currently doing an MA in Art History.
Rob Duff
I've been with British Study Centres for nearly three years now, working as a teacher and teacher trainer. My teacher training experience began in Vietnam, where as Assistant Director of Studies for IH Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City I designed and ran a number of short courses on teaching Business English and teaching English to Younger Learners. I earned my Cambridge DELTA with British Study Centres two years ago and I now spend about half of my time helping run CELTA courses, and the other half in the classroom, teaching a wide range of EFL classes to an equally diverse range of students.
I spend most of my free time meeting up with friends and family, who are increasingly scattered around the globe, or at the pool. I also love to cook, although I'm very much an enthusiastic beginner in this area!
