After working at EC Brighton since the summer of 2006 I can unequivocally (word of the day – go look it up!) say it’s a great place to be. No two days are the same – my students make sure of that – and it’s nice being able to come to school and work in a happy, professional, but relaxed environment.
Part-teacher, part-actor and part-comedian (according to my students), I find this job is certainly not boring and constantly requires you to think on your feet. As well as General English, I also teach Business English courses, EC’s Freestyle Programme and younger learners at summer school and I help to deliver EC’s lecture programme for Academic Year students. Add to that our regular welcome events for new students, pub nights, free pronunciation classes, ten-pin bowling and laser tag games and you’ll see that we have a very busy social calendar here. In fact, that’s something we encourage – learning and practising English doesn’t just happen inside the classroom.
I previously worked in a new media agency in Brighton which specialised in e-learning projects in the education and health sectors. A particular interest of mine is the concept and development of m-learning (e-learning using mobile devices). At EC Brighton I’ve also been involved heavily with the development and running of an online resource that all our students can use for extra practice and learner support.
Prior to that, in another life I worked in marketing management, communications and for a Government organisation dealing with education planning, policy, research and strategy. Originally from Coventry in the centre of England, I moved to Brighton in 2000 and I think it’s a fantastic place to be. Living by the sea, summer or winter, is great (if a little windy at times!) and with lots of young people, cool shops and a buzzing nightlife you’ll never be bored for something to do.
When not discussing the uses of the third conditional or the subtitles of English pronunciation, I have a passion for all things Russian! 🙂 And can be found lazing on Brighton beach, feeding my Latte addiction at a cafe in The Lanes, catching up with students on Facebook, eating doughnuts and gambling on Brighton Pier, trying to learn Russian or staring out to sea wishing I was sailing!