“I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.”
Douglas Adams
My books
Unlock Level 1 Reading and Writing Skills Cambridge University Press (2014)
Unlock Level 3 Listening and Speaking Skills Cambridge University Press (2014)
Unlock Level 1 Listening and Speaking Skills Teacher’s Book Cambridge University Press (2014)
Doff, A., Ostrowska, S., Stirling, J. English Unlimited Starter: Teacher's Book Special Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (2014)
Doff, A., Ostrowska, S., Stirling, J. English Unlimited Elementary: Teacher's Book Special Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (2014)
Doff, A., Ostrowska, S., Stirling, J. English Unlimited Pre-intermediate: Teacher's Book Special Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (2014)
Trzech panów w łódce... z angielskim!
TELBIT (2007)
My Blog Entries
The importance of world knowledge to the ELT classroom #2 – photography
The importance of world knowledge to the ELT classroom #3 – General Knowledge Quizzes
How to become an ESL writer?
EFL/ESL writing is a very specialised and specific career. It requires deep knowledge of English and the language learning process, creativity, and the ability to take on criticism or, as some call it, 'feedback'. When we think of an EFL/ESL writer, we often think of textbook writers. And this is an accurate assumption. An accomplished writer will have a number of textbooks in their portfolio. However, the variety of texts that you will write on a day-to-day basis is huge. In my work so far, I have written reading passages, listening scripts, writing and speaking prompts, vocabulary and grammar exercises, teacher’s notes, instructions for both learners and teachers, group activities, online activities, tests, exams, online tests, and storylines for courses. So how does one become a writer of ESL/EFL materials?
The key word here is ‘become’. You can’t study to do that and you can’t will yourself to be one. There are, however, things that can help you become an EFL/ESL writer. Here are my tips:
1 You need to teach first
It’s a cliché that we should always write about what we know, but it’s true. You can’t become a writer, without being a teacher first. I had taught for over ten years before I started writing. You will need the classroom experience to help you write materials for other teachers. Teaching will also help you get to know the materials that are on the market. When you use a textbook in a class, you subconsciously make decisions about what type of activities work and which ones don’t. Hopefully, you will use this knowledge in your writing. Another important thing about teaching is that you will get to know your audience, that is the students. An EFL/ESL writer writes for students and with their interest at heart.
2 Study and become an expert in your subject
Getting your teaching qualifications is not enough. To then become a writer, you have to become better at teaching and more knowledgeable about it than your colleagues. As you write materials, you will draw on this knowledge and make informed decisions about the activities, their sequencing, and the teaching approach. Any English language textbook has hidden-agendas and underlying teaching philosophies. By studying applied linguistics and educational philosophy, you will be able to formulate your own agenda, or ‘teaching philosophy’, and express it in your writing.
More tips to come soon:
3 Do action research
4 Establish yourself in your teaching community
5 Be friendly and outgoing
6 Be able to write in total chaos
7 Read!
My research and presentations
Cambridge University Press Webinar, October 2015 'Building on Learners' World Knowledge' Listen to the audio here
48th Annual International IATEFL Conference, Harrogate, UK April 2014 ‘Developing Students’ Extensive Listening Skills’
20th International TESOL Arabia Annual Conference, Dubai, UAE March 2014
‘Developing an Extensive Listening Programme’
11th Asia TEFL International Conference, Manila, Philippines October 2013
‘Fostering Independent Reading and Listening through Technology’
47th Annual International IATEFL Conference, Liverpool, UK April 2013
‘Student and Teacher Perspectives on Independent Learning Logs’
19th International TESOL Arabia Annual Conference, Dubai, UAE March 2013
‘Experiments in Reading: Student and Teacher Perspectives on Independent Learning Logs’
Learner Independence: Special Interest Group, TESOL Arabia, Sharjah, UAE February 2013 ‘Fostering Learners’ Autonomy through Teacher Autonomy’
TESOL Arabia, Abu Dhabi Chapter Event, Abu Dhabi, UAE October 2012
‘Autonomy, UAE Students, and Stereotypes in TESOL Discourse’
2nd English for Specific Purposes Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE April 2012
‘Communities of Practice in ESP’
Creating a Culture of Reading in the UAE February 2012
Reading Roadshow, Abu Dhabi, UAE. ‘Reading Science in English’
TESOL Arabia Al Ain Chapter and ESP SIG, Al Ain, UAE February 2012
‘Developing a Community of Practice to Assist UAE Students in Learning University-Level
Science Subjects in English’
17th International TESOL Arabia Annual Conference, Dubai, UAE March 2011
‘Re-Thinking Written Corrective Feedback’
16th International TESOL Arabia Annual Conference, Dubai, UAE March 2010
‘Course Content and Student Motivation’
Foreign Language Learning and Teaching Conference, Bangkok, Thailand. October 2009
‘World Knowledge or Word Knowledge: The Influence of Content Schemata on the Formal
Assessment of Reading Skills’
Dhofar University, Salalah, Oman April 2007
‘Helping EFL Students Deal with Lexical Items that Block Reading Comprehension’
