Q:
How did you first get into EFL?
A: I'd been teaching in state schools in Manchester for five
years and just fancied a change, so I applied for a job teaching
English in Morocco. I worked there, in Casablanca, for two
years.
Q:
Tell us about your career in EFL since then?
A: After Morocco I went to Madrid, with the intention of teaching
there for a couple of years before moving on again. I'm still
in Madrid! I worked here at the British Council and then Kensington
School. At the moment I'm writing full time.
Q:
How many hours a week do you spend writing?
A: Very difficult to say; each day is different and it depends
what stage of a project you're involved in.
Q:
What is the key to a successful upper secondary coursebook?
A: I suppose it has to be teacher-friendly and student-friendly.
By that I mean it needs to be very clearly organised so that
both teachers and students know where they're going.
Q:
What does this book give teachers and students that is different
from other coursebooks?
A: If I had to choose one element, it would be the variety
and appropriateness of the topics. For a long time teenagers
or adolescents have had to use books with adult themes or
books which repeat the same old topics. I think we've got
quite a few new, refreshing topics in this course, including
literature.
Q:
What do you think is the secret to successful teaching?
A: Patience. Learning another language is a long process.
Years ago I knew a mathematics teacher in Manchester who summed
up his approach as "two steps forward and one step back".
I think a lot of teachers have a tendency to go too fast;
there's a limit to what the average student can assimilate
in maybe only three hours a week.
Q:
Are you a technophile or a technophobe?
A: I use the Internet, e-mail, etc. Computers are marvellous
when they work well, but when things go wrong they can be
very annoying.
Q:
What was the last film you saw and what was it like?
A: 'Life Is Beautiful' with Roberto Benigni and Nicoletta
Braschi, Superb. Very funny. Very moving.
Q:
What luxury would you take with you to a desert island?
A: A guitar.
Q:
Where are you going on your next holiday?
A: The beach on the east coast of Spain.
Q:
How did you first get into EFL?
