I am a Senior Lecturer in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at the University of Wollongong (UOW) and the Executive Editor of English Australia Journal. I am also a member of the TESOL Quarterly Editorial Advisory Board and a review panel member of the Journal of Education for Multilingualism. My research explores how second language (L2) teachers learn to teach English as an additional language (especially pronunciation) and what this means for the development of their cognitions (thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge) and their classroom practices. I am also interested in MBE (Mind, Brain, Education) Science, non-native English-speaking teacher issues, English education at elementary school level, and context-sensitive/innovative pedagogy.
I have been involved in language teaching and language teacher education for more than two decades. In the early 90s I completed a degree in Electromechanical Engineering in Switzerland, but switched to language teaching after obtaining a TESL Certificate in New Zealand (1999). In 2003, having taught in Japan for four years, I moved to Canada and enrolled in the MA TESOL program at Trinity Western University (TWU). While working on my thesis, which focused on the training of non-native English speaking teachers, I had the privilege of being Dr William Acton's research assistant. Those two years were a life-changing experience as they allowed me to specialize in teaching speaking skills - particularly in the area of pronunciation pedagogy
I have been involved in language teaching and language teacher education for more than two decades. In the early 90s I completed a degree in Electromechanical Engineering in Switzerland, but switched to language teaching after obtaining a TESL Certificate in New Zealand (1999). In 2003, having taught in Japan for four years, I moved to Canada and enrolled in the MA TESOL program at Trinity Western University (TWU). While working on my thesis, which focused on the training of non-native English speaking teachers, I had the privilege of being Dr William Acton's research assistant. Those two years were a life-changing experience as they allowed me to specialize in teaching speaking skills - particularly in the area of pronunciation pedagogy
Upon completion of my MA, I got a teaching/program coordinator position in the International Student Entry Program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. I also began working as an adjunct instructor at TWU. In early 2013, I moved to Australia to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Wollongong. After four incredibly enriching years of being a doctoral student, I took up a full-time/permanent academic position at UOW in early 2017.
Postgraduate courses/subjects I’m currently teaching or have taught:
- EDGT934 English Pronunciation and Prosody
- EDGT935 Teaching English in International Contexts
- EDGT983 Assessing and Evaluating in TESOL Environments
- EDGT930 Methodology in Second Language Teaching
- EDGT940 Materials and Technology in Second Language Teaching
- EDGT931 Oral Communication and Pedagogy
- EDGT984 Theories of Second Language Learning
- EDGZ906 Minor Research Project in TESOL
- EDGL941 Minor Research Project in Educational Leadership
Postgraduate courses/subjects I’m currently teaching or have taught:
- EDGT934 English Pronunciation and Prosody
- EDGT935 Teaching English in International Contexts
- EDGT983 Assessing and Evaluating in TESOL Environments
- EDGT930 Methodology in Second Language Teaching
- EDGT940 Materials and Technology in Second Language Teaching
- EDGT931 Oral Communication and Pedagogy
- EDGT984 Theories of Second Language Learning
- EDGZ906 Minor Research Project in TESOL
- EDGL941 Minor Research Project in Educational Leadership