Contact
Biography
I read for my first degree in French and Spanish at the University of Swansea and first became interested in language teaching whilst working as a lectrice at the University of Bordeaux. After 4 years living in France I returned to the UK to complete a PGCE in FE and HE at the University of Cardiff.
I have been teaching French, Spanish and/or EFL within universities and FE/ 6th form colleges in the UK and France for more than 30 years, and have been at the Language Centre at The University of Nottingham since 2000. I have taught at most levels and held multiple roles in my time at Nottingham, including Examinations Officer and Director of the Evening Language Programme.
I am currently Deputy Director of the Language Centre and Director of Studies and a member of the Executive Committee of the Association for University Language Communities.
Expertise Summary
I specialise in teaching French language to non-specialist language learners, primarily at A1-B1 level. My principal area of interest is creating a learning environment and experience that stimulates and equips students to unlock their potential as lifelong independent learners. I also focus on accessible pedagogy, authenticity of assessment, lifelong learning in the wider community and reflective practice for both myself and my students.
Teaching Summary
I am particularly interested in:
- the acquisition of language and intercultural skills and the concept of global citizenship
- the development of learner autonomy
- innovative pedagogies
- effective and authentic assessment
- lifelong learning
- teacher training
- the role and application of AI in language learning
I have held external examiner positions at the Universities of Birmingham, Manchester, York, Plymouth and Westminster and feel that there is so much to learn, for both parties, by engaging with other institutions.
Research Summary
My scholarship of teaching and learning centres on innovative pedagogy, teacher wellbeing, civic engagement and lifelong learning.
I am co-organiser of the Back to Basics series on teaching, learning and assessment., co-founder of a focus group within the AULC for management of not-for credit language education for staff, students and the wider community and am a member of the Innovative Pedagogy working group for the Centre for Innovative Pedagogy at the University of Nottingham.
Past Research
Conference and workshop organisation
Co-organiser of the workshop series "Back to Basics" at the University of Nottingham: "What we teach" (January 2024) , "How we teach" (April 2024) and "Purposeful assessment" (April 2025).
Co-organiser of the the "Empowering Us All: The Importance of Wellbeing in the Workplace" conference (June 2024).
Co-organiser of the AULC annual conference 2022 at the University of Nottingham: "Envisage the Future: Reshaping Language Teaching and Learning" (April 2022)
Conference and workshop participation
"Multilingualism, Multiliteracies, Digital Technologies and Accessibility in Language Teaching. Co-presented with Astrid Hermes (University of Exeter), Carmen Schembri-Wismayer (University of Bath), AULC annual conference, University of Liverpool, April 2025
"Joining the Notts: Engagement Inside and Outside the Language Classroom", University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, January 2025
"Bridging the Gap : studying and living in the UK" Co-presented with Lea Guetta, Jane Lowe, Yoon Jung, Sujing Xu, University of Nottingham, November 2023.
"Games in languages workshop", University of Liverpool September 2024 and University of Nottingham, November 2023
"New Directions for University-Wide Language Programmes: Challenges and Solutions in Innovation, Inclusivity and Community Building". Co-presented with Astrid Hermes (University of Exeter), AULC annual conference, University of Exeter, April 2024
"Making the most of AI for language learners", University of Nottingham, March 2024
"Innovative French Language Teaching Methods", King's College London, June 2023
"Decolonising the Language Curriculum", University College London, May 2023
"Teaching and learning languages online using digital tasks", Linguarum, April 2023
"Language for All in Higher Education: Inclusion, Diversity, and Sustainability",AULC annual conference, University of Edinburgh, April 2023
"Decolonising the Language Curriculum", University College London, May 2023
"Envisage the Future: Reshaping Language Teaching and Learning", AULC conference, University of Nottingham, April 2022
"Intercultural competence and language learning in HE: present and future directions", University of Exeter, July 2021