Education

PhD in English Philology (investigating the effect of subjectivity in rating second language performance – the Cambridge FCE Speaking test), Faculty of English and German Philology, University of Valencia, 2000.

Master of Arts in English Language Teaching Moray House College of Education (Edinburgh, Scotland) 1989.

Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Distinction in the Practical section), Royal Society of Arts, 1984.

Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Royal Society of Arts, 1982.

Bachelor of Laws, University of Aberdeen (Scotland), 1980.

Languages

English (proficient); Spanish (proficient); Arabic (intermediate).

Research interests

English as an Additional Language in Scotland

Reflective practice in teacher education.

Critical perspective on English Medium Instruction.

Co-director of Centre for Education for Racial Equality in Scotland.

Publications

"The new us." (2020). Language Issues 31:1. (Co-author with Razan Madhoon).

"There is no alternative! Student perceptions of learning in a second language" (2018). Journal of Language and Education 4:1. (Co-author with Samer Annous).

“Ideology for second language teachers.” (2014). Arab World English journal 5:4.

“An inquiring light – learning reflective practice in ELT.” (2014). English language research journal (re-launched)1.

“Learning to teach English in Lebanon.” (2011). Near and Middle East Journal of Research in Education 2.

“Evaluating the testing course on an MA in ELT.” (2010). ELTED 13.

The ELT networking project: evaluation report. (2008). The British Council.

“Learner perceptions of Interactive Whiteboards in EFL classrooms.” (2008). CALL-EJ Online, 9:2.

“Back to square one – practising speaking in class.” ATEL Journal 17 (2008).

 “21st Century Literacy: rising to the challenge.” (2006). Revue Pédagogique. CERD,   

 “The FCE Speaking test: using rater reports to help interpret test scores.” (2002). System 30:2.

"Writing, not boring." (1998) Modern English Teacher, 7:3.

"Backs to the wall?" (1993). Modern English Teacher, 2:4.

"Fast Forward Advanced: a Review." (1993). Modern English Teacher, 2:2.

"Rods, silence, and CLL." (1993). Modern English Teacher, 2:1.

"Talking Sense." (1992). Modern English Teacher, 1:4.

"Written Instructions: are they wasted?" (1989). Modern English Teacher, 16:4.

Workshops and Presentations

2019

“Ideology, discourse and text”; “Reflective practice for language teachers”. Guest lectures to student-teachers at Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile.

“Developing speaking skill in class”. Workshop for language teachers at the Departamento Universitario de Obreros y Campesinos, Santiago, Chile.

2016

“Tefling stories” (with Claudia Rosenhan). Community engagement event with teachers from Edinburgh language schools.

“English medium instruction in Lebanon: imperialism and ideology” (with Samer Annous, University of Balamand). Paper presented at Academia and Social Justice conference, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.

2015

"Language, identity and medium of instruction in Lebanon" (with Samer Annous, University of Balamand). Creativity, Culture and Faith Research Group seminar given at University of Glasgow School of Education.

“English medium instruction in Lebanon: imperialism and ideology” (with Samer Annous, University of Balamand). Paper presented at “The politics of language teaching” conference, University College London, UK.

“English medium instruction in Lebanon: imperialism and ideology” (with Samer Annous, University of Balamand). Paper presented at ETAL seminar, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

2014

"Language, identity and medium of instruction in Lebanon" (with Samer Annous, University of Balamand). Paper presented at Scottish Educational Research Association annual conference, "From widening horizons to a world view", University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

2012

“Language and power – how words will never fail us”. Guest lecture presented at pre-sessional summer school for post-graduate students, St Andrews University, Scotland.

2010

“An inquiring light – learning reflective practice in ELT”. Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference on Cultural Dialogue, Minia University, Egypt.

“The Arab/Western Character? This is not a question.” Panel contribution at the 2nd International Conference on Cultural Dialogue, Minia University, Egypt.

“E-beam technology and whole class pedagogy.” Workshop given for school teachers in north Lebanon at MA ELT open day, University of Balamand, Tripoli, Lebanon.

2009

Evaluating the testing course on an MA in ELT. Paper presented at the Regional Conference on “program evaluation and assessment in universities” at Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon.

2008

“Localising the global: ELT websites as a context for teacher development. An evaluation of the British Council NENA region ELT Networking project.” Paper presented at the 1st International Conference on Cultural dialogue: communication channels among nations conference, Minia University, Egypt.

2007

“Interactive whiteboards in EFL classrooms.” Paper presented at University of Balamand Research Council.

“ELT and beyond: rewards and challenges.” Key note speech given at the annual conference of the Association of Teachers of English in Lebanon, Beirut.

“Back to square one – teaching speaking in class.” Workshop given at the annual conference of the Association of Teachers of English in Lebanon, Beirut.

2006

“Supporting change in teacher education.” Key note speech given at British Council/Hornby Foundation summer school, Al Akhawayn University, Ifrane, Morocco.

“Interactive whiteboards – the difference that makes the difference? Learners speak their minds.” Paper presented at the IATEFL conference, Nicosia, Cyprus.

2005

 “A Web of Words - stories from the internet.” Workshop given at the annual conference of the Association of Teachers of English in Lebanon, Beirut.

1999

“Is it purely subjective? FCE raters speak their minds.” Paper presented at the annual conference of TESOL Spain, Madrid.

“In the eye of the beholder: rater perceptions of the new FCE Speaking test.” Paper given at the annual conference of the Spanish Association of Applied Linguisitcs (AESLA), Madrid.

1998

"Holding their attention: making the ordinary something special." Workshop given at the annual conference of TESOL Spain, Bilbao.

“Lexis in Political Agitation”; “From Alcott to Proux, changing focus in women's literature since 1848.” Papers presented for doctoral courses at University of Valencia, Spain.

1997

“Teacher and learner perceptions: Settling our differences.” “Agitation as a Political Genre.” Papers presented for doctoral course at University of Valencia, Spain.

1996

“Intercultural Pragmatics: Implications for the teaching of foreign languages.” Paper presented for doctoral course at University of Valencia, Spain.

1993

"Heart and mind: poetry in class." Workshop given at the annual conference of TESOL Spain, Madrid.

1992

"Second Language Acquisition: theory, in practice, in the classroom." Paper presented at the annual TESOL Spain conference, Alicante.

English as an Additional Language in Scotland; Reflective practice in language teacher education; Critical perspectives on English medium instruction.

I am co-founder and current Treasurer for Saint Andrews Education for Palestinian Students (STEPS)