TEACHERS

Richard Mannix; I am the Academic Manager at KUELC. I have previously taught at institutions in England, Japan and Sweden, teaching English for academic purposes, business communication skills and marketing subjects. In my most recent position I was Deputy Programme Director for the undergraduate international business and languages degree at

Regents University in London. Prior to that, I was in charge of developing and marketing new courses to corporate clients at the Folkuniversitetet in Uppsala in Sweden, securing contracts with a number of major listed companies and government agencies.

I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in European History and Politics from the University of East Anglia, a Master's Degree in Applied Linguistics from Essex University, a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Hull, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Teaching English as a Second or Other language (TESOL) from the University of Brighton.

I’m a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), a member of the Academy of Marketing (MAM) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (MCIM).

My research interests include the development of entrepreneurial networks, consumer behaviour and student profiling and progression in Higher Education.

My vision for KUELC is to create a vibrant, thriving centre for the study of English, preparing students for successful study periods abroad and helping them to achieve their maximum potential both in academia and their future careers.

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Michael Collins; I am a graduate of Merton College, Oxford, where I read and researched Modern History at Master’s level. After a career in human resources at national level in the UK, I took up English Language

teaching in 2000. Since then I have taught General, Academic and Business English and IELTS and I have been an IELTS examiner. Also I have published two books, one on American culture and one on English history. I am also a member of the Royal Geographical Society.

My vision for my role at KUELC is to help develop a body of autonomous learners of English who can achieve their academic ambitions in Britain and return to Kurdistan to pursue successful careers.

My role is to help you be the best that you can be – to communicate effectively in English, to be aware of British culture and university life, and to become professionals who can use English effectively.

Every student is a member of Team Koya. Students need to treat membership as a 37-hour per week job. This means 24 hours in class and 13 hours’ homework and directed private study. Together we can succeed and you can achieve your dreams in English and for Kurdistan.

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Mark Gordon; I come from Bray, a town 12 miles south of Dublin, Ireland. I studied archaeology at University College Dublin, graduating with a first-class honours M.A in 2003. I worked as an archaeologist for many years, tutoring at the UCD School of Archaeology as well as supervising and teaching on their research and training excavations. I have also worked for private archaeological consultancies on many large-scale rescue excavations. In 2006 I started working as a professional actor, on stage, television and radio, appearing for two years on Ireland’s most popular soap, Fair City.

I have worked for Kaplan International Colleges since 2012, teaching English in Dublin. This is my first time in Kurdistan, and I am looking forward to getting to know its culture and history, as well as trying to learn some Kurdish. I am very excited to be involved with KUELC in its first year and looking forward to taking part in the academic and social development of the university and its students.

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My name is Maureen Agnew and I come from Ireland. I have taught English as a Foreign Language in a British university and in Saudi Arabian universities for the past five years. I have a CELTA and a post-graduate diploma in Radio Journalism. Before that I worked in Public Relations for many years in the UK, leading on internal and external communications strategies in local government settings.

Because of my work background, I really enjoy teaching language skills for effective communication, including presentation skills and active listening. I am an enthusiastic teacher and I aim for my students to work hard and have fun. I am good at bringing out students’ natural talents.

I am delighted to be part of KUELC because communicating through English will be the key to many doors for Koya University students. Spending some time abroad and bringing in new ideas will unlock students’ talents and help Kurdistan grow and flourish. Being in a new country will stretch me as I (try to) learn a new language, cook new dishes, and keep fit!

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Kevin Ottley; I am from the north of England and I am married with two children. I have taught English for almost twenty years, in Germany, England, and in Iraqi Kurdistan. I am educated to Masters level in both English Language Teaching and History of Art. I have published articles about English language teaching in Modern English Teacher and English Teaching Professional. An article I wrote based on my previous teaching experience in Kurdistan is published in the MATSDA portfolio. In my previous teaching job in Iraq I was actively involved in many extra-curricular activities: I introduced a film club, a poetry society, a five-a-side football tournament and a drama society.

I believe extra-curricular activities have an important part to play in assisting with language acquisition and I forward to developing similar extra-curricular activities at the University of Koya. I am also looking forward to enjoying, again, the kindness and generosity of the Kurdish people, as well as improving my Kurdish dancing skills. I believe that Iraqi Kurdistan has great potential and that the University of Koya is well suited to assisting in the development of the region, its people and its resources, and I hope I can play a part in this.

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Catherine Karim; I would like to introduce myself by saying that I am both delighted and honoured to be in a beautiful country with such an extensive history. I am looking forward to being part of KUELC team working on this innovative programme at Koya University.

My experience in education is wide and varied as I have over 20 years both as a teacher, training manager and teacher trainer working in the UK, Middle East and Asia. I hold Qualified Teacher and Learning Status (QTLS) along with postgraduate qualifications in English language teaching and educational management.

I see my role as an English teacher on the programme as being someone who is hereto help create value and make a difference to the learning techniques and strategies already employed in the institute. KUELC will give our students the opportunity to acquire English in a relaxed atmosphere where learning will be fun and interactive.

My colleagues and myself are looking forward to making the KUELC programme and Koya University, the university of choice throughout the region offering its students opportunities for growth and advancement by developing their English skills in a creative and progressive learning environment. This in turn will enable them to move into further studies and inevitably rewarding careers which will help develop them personally and enable them to establish their country as a forerunner in a global environment.