Here are the people you will meet at the English Language Centre
Hugh MacDermot
Director of Administration
Hugh has worked as a University Administrator at Leeds University in the UK and as an Educational Adviser in Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Oman. His work has given him a valuable insight into the needs of students from many different parts of the world.
Judy MacDermot
Academic Director
Judy's career as a teacher and a teacher trainer has taken her to schools, colleges and universities in the UK, Brunei and Oman. She is a dedicated teacher with over 25 years' experience in the field of English Language teaching which she brings to her role as Academic Director.
Nick Milner
Director of Studies
Nick has been working in English Language teaching since 1993. He taught in Spain for 8 years before returning to the UK where he gained his Diploma. He worked as Director of Studies at a school in Cambridge before returning to York in 2004 to work at the ELC. He has also worked as a freelance editor and materials writer for Macmillan, Heinemann and Cambridge University Press.
Adam Lickley
Teacher
Adam joined the ELC in the summer of 2009. Previously, he taught Business and General English all levels and ages in Moscow. In addition to being a qualified barrister, Adam speaks French, German and Russian. He has also enjoyed a career in musical theatre and can occasionally be heard bursting into song during class!
Chris Haworth
Teacher
Chris joined the ELC in June 2009. Chris studied law at university before qualifying as an English Language teacher in 2003. He has taught at various schools throughout the UK and has travelled extensively through North America, Africa, Asia and Europe.
Fiona Heubeck
Teacher
Fiona started teaching at the ELC in 2008 after a varied career. She has taught English in Germany and the UK and has worked in secondary schools teaching Modern Languages. Fiona has experience in working with students of all ages and also loves being a student herself! She is currently a beginner in Italian.
Graham Appleton
Teacher and Teacher Trainer
Graham has taught at the ELC since early 1999 and also teaches on our Teacher Training programmes. He has many years of teaching experience, including 3 years in Turkey and Sicily. He also has a PhD in Archaeology and a vast knowledge of York's history. All of this experience, combined with his cartoon skills, means that our students have lessons they will never forget!
Helen Cherry
Teacher and Director of the Summer Junior Programme
Helen has been an English Language teacher since mid-2000 and has taught at the ELC since early 2005. She did her English Language teaching qualification (CELTA and DELTA) at the ELC and has taught in Slovenia, Italy, Japan and Thailand. She has also worked as an administrator, organising courses in the UK and Italy.
Helen Cocking
Teacher and Teacher Trainer
Helen has worked in English Language teaching since 1996. She has extensive experience in Europe and the UK as a teacher and as a Director of Studies and is particularly interested in IELTS and academic English. Helen also works as a freelance Reviewer for Cambridge University Press and is studying for an MA in Applied Linguistics.
Ian Paul
Teacher and Resources Manager
Ian started at the ELC in 2009 after teaching English for 10 years in Thailand for Inlingua and the British Council. While he was in Thailand he was also an examiner for a variety of Cambridge University English Exams including IELTS. He is a big fan of e-learning and has recently completed an online course from Oxford University about 'Effective Online Tutoring'. Ian will be your contact for e-learning advice and troubleshooting.
Joy Caley
Teacher
Joy started teaching at the ELC in 2008. She is also our Academic Counsellor. Joy grew up in the Ivory Coast in West Africa. She is fluent in French and qualified as an English Language teacher in 2003. She has taught in the UK and the USA before moving to York.
Michael Mullins
Teacher
Mike studied business, French and German. Then he lived and taught in Germany for 2 years before moving on to Spain for 15 years, where he taught, translated and worked in marketing. His hobbies include reading history and philosophy books, travelling around Europe, especially the South, cycling and eating new exotic food.
Nigel Sale
Teacher
Nigel has been teaching English Language since 1985, when he worked at a school in Greece. Since then he has taught in Italy, Portugal and Slovenia - and in the UK. He has worked at the ELC since September 2005, when he returned to the UK after 5 years working for the British Council in Rome as a teacher and course co-ordinator.
Pete Woods
Teacher
Pete joined the ELC in April 2009. Previously, he was a primary school teacher and has taught in schools in Oxfordshire and Yorkshire. Pete enjoys playing the harmonica in his spare time and has played in several bands.
Reni Holliday
Teacher
Reni joined the ELC in 2007. After having taught undergraduates at the University of Pecs in Hungary for two terms, Reni now prepares students for their IELTS examination as well as teaching General English.
Bryony Tallack
Marketing Assistant
Bryony joined the ELC in September 2009. She works with the Marketing Manager dealing with all enquiries, including prospective students and agents. She can also be seen showing new students a glimpse of the beautiful city of York on their first day. Bryony completed her English Language degree at Cardiff University before returning to live and work in York.
Carla Vital
Operations Administrator
Carla joined the ELC in September 2006. She provides administrative support to the Directors and the management team. She has 8 years' experience at a language school in Brazil and speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish and French.
Kirsti Reynolds
Registrar
Kirsti joined the ELC in 2008 and is responsible for all student admissions including visa application and related finances. She has six years' experience in senior management in other educational establishments.
Liliya Brezina
Librarian and Administrative Assistant
Liliya works for the administration department and the ELC Multi Media Centre. She has been with ELC since March 2009 and she really enjoys York and the life here. Her home country is Bulgaria where she worked on environmental projects. Liliya has over five years administrative experience. She likes walking in the countryside.
Lisa Harrison
Administrative Assistant
Lisa joined the ELC in September 2009. She is the assistant to the Registrar and deals with student registrations and host family / other payments. Lisa is originally from Hereford and moved to York to complete her degree. She has worked in the UK and Japan, gaining experience both in administration and as a teacher of English Language.
Nigel Hildred
Bursar
Nigel has been looking after the internal accounts of the school since 2004. In addition to being a practised management accountant, he is also an experienced database programmer, responsible for the creation and continuing development of the Centre's database management system.
Sally Astbury
Student Support Manager
Sally looks after accommodation for our students (mainly homestays) and is also responsible for student welfare. She is happy to help with any problems that our students may have and she always does this in a friendly and professional manner. In 2007 Sally was awarded the Welfare Officers' Certificate, accredited by English UK.
Simon Robinson
Marketing Manager
Simon, who has recently taken on the duties of Marketing Manager, has been an English teacher since 2004. He has worked in several different countries including Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Vietnam, and also lived in the Middle East for ten years.