Total English: Meet the authors

Meet the authors

Richard Acklam

Richard Acklam is a prominent figure in ELT. He has been teaching, training and writing since 1982 and his previous publications include the best-selling Gold series. Outside the classroom Richard is a squash fanatic, which he describes as “a form of physical chess and the undoubted solution to many of society’s current ills”. Richard is the co-author of the Pre-Intermediate and Upper Intermediate levels of Total English.

		What is your idea of perfect happiness? A conversation where I have to stand on the tips of my mental toes.

		What has teaching taught you? That people learn only when they are ready to learn.

		How did you get into ELT? My university careers office telling me to do a TEFL course.

		What is your greatest extravagance? Pre-packed salad.

		What is your favourite word? (Today) Anthropomorphise.

		What is the trait you most dislike in yourself? Over-anxiety about unimportant things.

		What is the trait you most dislike in others? Lack of respect.

		*What is your favourite feature of Total English?* The photos on the Lead-In pages.

		What 3 words best describe your lessons? (Only my students could answer that)

		In which countries have you taught? Egypt, France, the U.K.

		Where is your favourite holiday destination? The next one.

		Which words or phrases do you most over-use? “Really...”

		What would your personal motto be? Think about it.