My Story: A Life in Language
I’m a Native British English Teacher with over 31 years of classroom experience and 21 years of online teaching. My connection to language began long before my qualifications — I was born in Cyprus, surrounded by different cultures and ways of speaking. That early exposure shaped the way I teach today: person‑centred, culturally aware, and focused on helping people find their voice in English.
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years of online teaching
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hours of online teaching
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Finding My Path
In 1990, I followed my love of language to university to study English. After completing my CELTA in 1994, I moved to Turkey for my first teaching job. Those two years abroad shaped everything that came after: they taught me that language learning is personal, emotional, and deeply human. Helping someone find their voice in a second language became the centre of my work.
A Pioneer in Online Learning
When I returned to the UK, I continued teaching — and in 2005, long before online learning became normal, I began teaching English online. I spent 14 years teaching full‑time through a screen, developing ways to make digital lessons feel natural, personal, and effective. More than 20,000 online hours later, that experience still shapes how I teach today.
Returning to the Classroom
In 2019, I returned to face‑to‑face teaching. Since 2020, I’ve specialised in ESOL, working closely with asylum seekers and refugees. This work is deeply meaningful to me: language becomes a tool for safety, belonging, and rebuilding a life. It reinforced my belief that teaching must start with the person, not the curriculum.
Where I Am Now
I currently teach at Cardiff and Vale College, the third‑largest FE college in the UK. Whether I’m teaching a full classroom or working 1‑to‑1 online, my approach is the same:
Teach the person. Understand their world. Build confidence first, accuracy second.
That philosophy guides every lesson I teach.
A dedicated musician
I’ve been playing guitar for over 45 years, specialising in jazz and Latin American styles. Music has shaped my sense of rhythm, attention, and connection — qualities I bring into my teaching every day.
Travel experiences
I’ve travelled through Brazil, Turkey and many parts of Europe, with Albania being one of my favourites. In this photo, I’m enjoying a sunny day in beautiful Tenby in South Wales.
Living in Newport
I’m now settled in Newport in South Wales, living with my partner, her son, and our lively cat Chester. It’s a warm and grounded home, and it keeps me connected to the community I teach in.
Working in Cardiff
I recently started a new role at Cardiff and Vale College, the UK’s third‑largest FE college. It’s a brilliant place to work, with diverse learners and a strong commitment to high‑quality education.