Academic board

Ron White

Freelance ELT consultant and adjunct professor (School for International Training, Vermont) and visiting lecturer (University of Queensland).  From 1977, taught at the Centre for Applied Language Studies, University of Reading (Director from 1992 to Sept 2000); Chairman of IATEFL 1987-89; extensive experience of teaching in universities, in the private sector in Japan and of ELT internationally; is author of the ELT Curriculum, and co-author of  book on management in ELT.

Susan Maingay

Freelance writer and consultant in English Language and Education.  Has a first degree in Modern Languages, and Masters degrees in Applied Linguistics.  From 1970-1984 worked as English teacher, teacher-trainer and text-book writer in France, Thailand, Hong Kong, Mexico and China.  From 1984-1991, Editorial Director of Longman ELT dictionaries.  Joined the British Council in 1991, initially in the post of EL adviser in London, then as Country Director in the Baltic States, Sri Lanka and Poland.  Currently engaged in PhD research at the University of Liverpool.

David Pottinger (Chief Executive)

David has over 20 years of experience in international education. Initially a teacher, teacher trainer and manager of language schools in the UK, Peru, France, and Turkey, he later worked for the British Council in London, Nepal, and Pakistan where he was Director Karachi. As Director of the Language Division of Nord Anglia Education plc, he managed a group of 13 language schools and colleges in the UK and overseas and was Managing Director of NCC Education Ltd (formerly the National Computing Centre), an international awarding body, before taking up his currrent post in November 2005. David holds masters degrees in Applied Linguistics and Business Administration.

Will Kinsman (Director of Sales and Marketing)

15 years’ Sales & Marketing experience in service industries (primarily financial services and employee benefits/HR consulting). Three years as Marketing Contoller with Norwich Union, then four years as Head of Marketing for MGM Assurance, a specialist investment, pension and insurance provider and Britain’s longest registered company. Recruited to set up a greenfield marketing function for William M Mercer before joining Charles Schwab, NYSE-listed US financial services group as European Sales & Marketing Director. Took up his currrent post in March 2006. Professionally qualified with a degree in English from the University of Birmingham.

Martin Bygate (Professor of Applied Linguistics & Language Education, University of Lancaster)

Professor in Applied Linguistics and Language Education (Department of Linguistics & English Language, University of Lancaster) since 2003, previously taught at the School of Education, University of Leeds (from 1994) and at the Centre for Applied Language Studies, University of Reading (from 1986). Was co-editor of Applied Linguistics journal (1998-2004), and Meetings Secretary of BAAL (1989-1995). Apart from his experience in higher education, he also has worked in the private sector in the UK, Has worked overseas in Morocco, France, Brazil and Peru. He is author of Speaking, co-author of Tasks in Second Language Learning, and has co-edited books on pedagogical tasks, and on grammar and the language teacher. Click here for a list of Martin's publications.