Michael was born in Lancashire (UK) in 1959 and moved to Kings Lynn, Norfolk when he was nine. He then moved to Cambridge to read Modern and Medieval Languages at Fitzwilliam College. His director of studies was Dr Geoffrey Walker, head of the Spanish department at Cambridge University and an enthusiastic promoter of Catalan in the British academic world. After graduation Michael established himself as a teacher in English as a foreign language (EFL). He acquired a master’s degree in linguistics as well as postgraduate qualifications in teaching EFL. Recently Michael has settled in Calonge (Baix Empordà, Catalonia), a place where he has been a regular visitor since the early 80s. Lately his activities have been focused on business clients, short courses aimed at the world of work and individual students.
1978-81, University of Cambridge, Fitzwilliam College, MA hons, Modern and Medieval Languages. French tutor: Dr Robert Lethbridge. Spanish tutor: Dr Geoffrey Walker.
1984, Royal Society of Arts. Preparatory Certificate for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language to Adults.
1985-86, Trinity College London, Licentiate Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language.
1991-92, University of London, Birkbeck College, MA, Second Language Learning and Teaching, tutor applied linguistics: Dr Itesh Sachdev (part-time course).
Previous employment
2004-16, Eurocentres Cambridge, senior teacher. Responsibilities included teaching staff and clients, teaching English as a foreign language at all levels, advising clients on self-study strategies, assessing their performance in English, keeping educational resources in good order, and providing in-service training to teaching staff.
2000-04, Active Learning, Hammersmith, senior teacher. Helped school pass first and second British Council inspections.
1985-99, Cambridge School of Languages, director of studies. Helped school pass 4 consecutive British Council inspections.
Examination Boards
Throughout his career Michael has participated in examination boards, PET, CAE, CPE, UCESOL Skills for Life, and IELTS (see article about examinations in “About Learning Languages”).
