I graduated from Lancaster University in 1997 with a BA (Hons) degree in English and Philosophy. Following this I started working in quality management for the UK Civil Service. I was there for six years. After this career in management, I decided to make a switch to teaching.

In 2003, I moved from the UK to Barcelona (Spain) where I completed the Cambridge University CELTA course. ( Level 5 English teaching qualification)

Upon successful completion of the course, I started teaching general and business English in various multi-national companies based in Barcelona. The main sectors were banking and finance, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and local government. I stayed in Barcelona until 2007. After this, I taught General English in multi-lingual classes in Liverpool, UK. I also taught academic English at Liverpool University.

In 2009, I came to Vietnam where I taugh tgeneral English to both adults and young learners and academic English at British University Vietnam, in Hanoi. I stayed there until 2011.

In 2011, I moved to HCMC. Since being in HCMC, I have been teaching mostly Academic English and IELTS preparation. Until starting work at AUS, I was working at ACET (affiliated to the University of Technology - Sydney) in HCMC. I taught both academic English and IELTS preparation courses as well as some pronunciation courses.

Professional Statement

My teaching approach to Academic English and IELTS preparation is grounded in the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) methodology, where language is learned most effectively through meaningful interaction and purposeful communication. I design lessons that integrate authentic academic tasks such as discussions, problem-solving activities, presentations, and collaborative analysis of texts. Students are encouraged to actively use English to express ideas, negotiate meaning, and develop critical thinking skills. Rather than focusing solely on memorization or isolated grammar practice, I guide learners to apply language in realistic academic contexts similar to those encountered in university study and the IELTS examination.

Within IELTS preparation specifically, I combine communicative practice with targeted exam strategies. Students develop fluency and confidence through structured speaking activities, peer feedback, and guided discussions while simultaneously building the academic vocabulary, discourse structures, and analytical skills required for high band scores. Writing instruction emphasizes clear argumentation, coherence, and task response, supported by regular feedback and reflective revision. Through this balanced approach, learners strengthen both their practical communication abilities and their strategic understanding of the IELTS exam, enabling them to perform confidently in test conditions and succeed in academic environments.