Introduce your self in three phrases or phrases.
Somebody just lately described me as calm, resilient, and quietly decided.
What do you want most about your job?
For the previous 20 years, I’ve had the unimaginable privilege of working with British Council groups and companions throughout the Americas, the Center East, Sub-Saharan Africa, China, and the UK.
Being a part of such a dynamic international community means embracing fixed change in worldwide schooling – a problem I completely thrive on. In my present position with British Council IELTS, I’m enthusiastic about upholding the very best requirements for our test-takers and recognising organisations, and am immensely proud to play a component in delivering a service that transforms lives world wide.
Greatest work journey/Worst work journey?
Generally you expertise one of the best and worst of journey throughout the identical journey. As a brand new regional examination providers director in Sub-Saharan Africa, I used to be thrilled to go to Harare for a regional group assembly. It was my first time in Zimbabwe, and I couldn’t wait to fulfill colleagues from throughout the area.
However our journey coincided with the removing of President Mugabe, leaving us hotel-bound for 3 days. Whereas I loved connecting with my new group, my expertise of Zimbabwe ended up being simply the airport, a few taxi rides, and a lodge room.
For those who might be taught a language immediately, which might you choose and why?
I’d like to be fluent in Mandarin Chinese language. It’s an interesting language, one of the vital for the UK’s future, and the British Council is a part of some wonderful initiatives, just like the Mandarin Excellence Programme, which has helped 1000’s of UK college pupils on the best way to fluency.
Till 2023, I lived in Beijing because the British Council’s director of examination providers, however regardless of my finest efforts, my Mandarin didn’t progress as a lot as I’d hoped. With the ability to absolutely join with China’s wealthy tradition and astound my pals and colleagues there with excellent Mandarin? That will be a dream come true!
What makes you rise up within the morning?
I thrive on challenges and work that feels significant and has goal. This month, the British Council is celebrating 90 years of constructing connections and belief between the UK and international locations worldwide – a mission that evokes me each day. Supporting younger folks to attain their worldwide schooling targets is a big motivator. On the IELTS entrance, I’m particularly excited a few groundbreaking partnership with the UNHCR. For the primary time, displaced people could have free entry to the world’s most trusted English language take a look at – one thing I’m extremely proud to be a part of.
Greatest worldwide ed convention and why?
I nominate the British Council’s flagship language testing and evaluation convention, New Instructions in English Language Evaluation. New Instructions is an impressive convention that brings collectively regional and worldwide policymakers, instructional professionals, teachers, lecturers, and evaluation practitioners. It supplies a platform for interplay, info alternate, and staying up to date with the newest improvements and developments within the area. Since its institution in 2013, New Instructions has grow to be an establishment, and I’m sure it’ll proceed to develop from energy to energy.
Worst convention meals/beverage expertise
I’ll be diplomatic and chorus from naming and shaming particular conferences however suffice to say I’ve skilled my fair proportion of curled-up sandwiches, cardboard biscuits, and cups of tepid, weak tea alongside the best way!
Guide or podcast advice for others within the sector?
I’ve simply completed Yuval Noah Harari’s newest ebook, Nexus, which explores info networks and energy all through historical past, in addition to the way forward for AI. It was a really thought-provoking learn, delving into the advantages and dangers of AI. This matter is especially related given the continuing debates in regards to the future position of AI in schooling and evaluation. We’ve just lately launched some analysis on AI in English Language Instructing, which I’d additionally extremely advocate studying.
Describe a mission or initiative you’re at the moment engaged on that excites you.
Along with the various exiting tasks in my position with the British Council IELTS group, I’m working in the direction of to a credential with the Worldwide Teaching Federation (ICF). I’ve a long-standing curiosity in management teaching, and I skilled formally as an government coach a few years in the past. As the following step, I’m hoping to attain an ICF credential in 2025.