Trish
Teacher
"After spending several years as a housewife, teaching English on a voluntary basis and living in Barbados, Jamaica and Singapore, I finally settled in London and started teaching English full time at Frances King in 1994. I’m a terrible golfer, a competent tennis player and also enjoy reading and running."
Peter Liney
Senior Trainer, One-to-One Department
"I have worked at Frances King for more than seven years. Prior to that I lived in Australia. When I’m not teaching I write, with plays produced on TV, stage and radio. I have no wife, no children and no pets either."
Mary Rendall
Senior Trainer, One-to-One Department
"I grew up in England and the Lebanon and studied English Literature at Bristol University. I became a journalist and radio presenter in the U.S. before moving to Thailand, where I began my English teaching career. I have been teaching one-to-one and Business English at Frances King for over 14 years. I am married to a Thai musician and have a 17-year old daughter."
John McCloskey
Teacher
" Both my parents were teachers and I always said that I would never become one . However, having tried various other jobs, I found that teaching is not such a bad job after all. And teaching at Frances King is a very nice job because I meet all sorts of wonderful people."
Kanwal Narula
Teacher
"Hello, my name is Kanwal and I have been teaching at Frances King for nine years. I taught English abroad for seven years living in Italy, Spain and Germany and greatly enjoy and appreciate the opportunity my job gives me to get to know people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures."
Luke Stannard
Teacher
"Hello, I have been at Frances King for a little while now, I massively enjoy teaching and working in such a diverse environment. I've done the majority of this in London and its a pleasure to spend your day doing such a thing. I studied in Bristol then moved south for a little bit which was a tad dull before migrating to London. I teach English in a general fashion and do enjoy a good weekend."
Nick Salazar
Teacher
"I have taught in a number of language schools throughout London, including Hampstead School, Internexus and Kaplan. I have also taught theatre arts and drama at secondary school level and Higher Education level in the UK and Chile. I come from a mixed background; having an American dad, a Chilean mum, a German son and a Brazilian girlfriend and being brought up in the UK, Australia, Chile and Colombia. I get serious identity crises going on sometimes but I wouldn't change a postmodern identity for the comfort of a sedentary home. Oh, and I missed the bit on my Irish and Belgian relatives!."
Kathryn Taylor
Teacher
"While I have only started fairly recently as a teacher at Frances King, the exceptionally friendly vibe of the school, makes it a home away from home! I have taught General and Business English in Bologna, Italy and became quite an expert on gelati! Prior to teaching English, I worked as a social worker, as well as in the Arts in Australia. In my spare time, I love singing, going to hear live music and theatre, travelling and getting back to nature. Anyone up for Karaoke?!"
Tim Hutchinson
Teacher
" Hello, my name is Tim and I have been teaching at Frances King for a little over a year. I am currently teaching the IELTS course for those who are wishing to study at University. I’ve been a teacher for about 4 and a half years which has taken me far and wide to places such as Brazil, Spain, Switzerland and Australia. I am passionate about travel, languages, learning things from different cultures and Chelsea FC. I am no stranger to the pub on Fridays either."
Kelly Harding
LMS and Teacher
" I started teaching English in 1997, moved to Frances King in 2000 and then got involved in online teaching in 2004. I now work on the Frances King Online system, which provides the test for new students. Like most teachers here I am very interested in languages and linguistics. I speak Spanish well, French badly and keep trying to learn Hawaiian, but I think I will need to go there for at least year to study it properly!"
Joanna Love
Teacher
"I have been an EFL teacher for 18 years, both here in the UK and in Hong Kong, where I lived for 20 years before returning in 2009. I have travelled extensively, and therefore have a love of other cultures that makes my job a pleasure not a pain!"
Andy Young
Teacher
"I have been teaching for about 11 years; mostly in London, but for a short period in Vietnam.
My degree was in Italian and Spanish, during which time I lived in both Italy and Mexico.
My free time is taken up with keeping bees, growing vegetables and more recently my garden, which is where all my money goes."
Ruth Tafla
Welfare Officer
" I am the Welfare Officer for the school. I trained and worked on the Thoracic Unit at GOSH London, which is famous worldwide for paediatrics and also for the fact that James Barrie donated all royalties from Peter Pan to the hospital. I have taught a lot of English to a lot of Brazilians in Sao Paolo and also in the Middle East. My great loves are Freddie and Francesca, current affairs, fashion and sport. I have played quite a lot of tennis and hockey. I have been teaching at Frances King for nearly twelve years now."
Christopher Davis
Teacher
"
Hello! I’m Chris.
Whilst studying English Literature and creative writing in London, I was dividing my spare time between travelling and planning where to go next. After University, I realised that marrying language and travel was, for me, the only option. I’ve done a few odd jobs, from working in most of the hotels in Norfolk to selling ice creams in France, however, it was my experience teaching refugees which switched me on to teaching. Since joining Frances King, I’ve learnt so much about people and cultures that I feel more like a student than a teacher. I speak a little French and am starting to learn Spanish. I love travelling off the beaten track, real music and chinos.
"
Matthew Trayler
Teacher
"I’ve been teaching English for more than a decade, mainly in London. I studied Politics at university and then went to law school - but my best friends told me I’m a better teacher. I spent several years living in South Africa and learnt to speak Zulu. I’m an avid sportsfan particularly cricket, football and rugby. Apart from watching a good match, I am a keen cyclist and have done the London to Brighton. My other passion is guitars - my most prized possession is my 1973 Rickenbacker I bought in New York. My heroes are Jimmy Hendrix and Jimmy Page. I hope to rock till I drop!"
"
Amy Noss
Teacher
"After running away from London as fast as I could in 2008 to teach English In Spain and Ecuador, I finally decided that January 2011 was the time to come back home. Luckily for me I was welcomed into the Frances King Family and things have been great, working amongst people from all over the world in a friendly environment. When I’m not teaching, I’m probably searching for some nice music to listen to or play (on the clarinet or sax,) reading a good book, or finding ways to get involved in charity work. One day I want to get my Spanish to a fluent level and get better at taking photos."
Katherine Cox
Teacher
"I'm Kat and I was born in London. I started teaching around 4 and a half years ago in London but I've also taught in Spain and Central America. I can speak some Spanish (although I am still learning!) and would like to learn Japanese. I studied philosophy and am interested in meditation. I love meeting people from all over the world and learning about different students' countries. London is a wonderful place with many different people and so many places to discover."
Carolyn Britten
Teacher
"I am a Londoner and have been teaching for many years - mostly here but also in Italy, Germany and Poland.
What I enjoy most about my job is meeting such a wide variety of people - from fossil hunters to pastry chefs - from all over the world and finding out about their cultures and backgrounds.
In my free time I like swimming , taking photos and dancing Zumba (quite badly)."
Sophie Sharp
Teacher
"I entered teaching when I was living in South America with my Spanish-speaking husband. I taught English at a language academy as well as at the American School. As exciting as South America was, I eventually moved on to a different territory. Sweden was the polar opposite in every way, however, just as exciting. In Sweden, I taught English at the British Institute as well as in Adult Education colleges. It has been an amazing journey and I have enjoyed the mix of the experiences. In Britain I continue to enjoy the extraordinary diversity that London has to offer. "
Nicola Craven
Teacher
"Hi! I am one of the teachers at Frances King. I've been teaching in London since 2008 and have also taught in Syria and in Vanuatu in the South Pacific. I really enjoy teaching...I'm a bit of language geek and have a love of linguistic sciences and learning foreign languages. I can speak Arabic (although it's getting rusty) and a bit of French and Farsi, but now I have to learn Spanish so I can converse with my in-laws! I love London life and have met many brilliant people here, but in my free time I sometimes like to get out of London and do things like kayaking or scuba diving. "
Elizabeth Gaffney
Teacher
"My name is Elizabeth and am currently living at my 28th address. My parents moved between England, Canada and Ireland while I was growing up and after completing a degree in English and French literature in Dublin, I moved to London to study Fashion Design. A few sleep-deprived but wonderful years... I started teaching English about 7 years ago while I was still studying and find it a very rewarding job to do in combination with my business ventures in fashion & accessories design and online retail. I like to keep busy! Other interests include art/photography/travel/writing/surfing and going to parties... I love London and I am always happy to point students in some good directions. "
Eric Gilbert
Teacher
"Hi, I’ve been working at Frances King since 2006 and teaching in both the private and public sectors since 2001. As well as teaching in London I have also taught in Italy and Ireland. At FK I also ‘coach’ the Friday Football Social Programme event during the summer. In addition to football I love travel and languages and in my free time I play and write music. I'm sure you will be delighted by your FK experience."
Gavin Hards
Teacher
"I was delivered by the stork on a cold and windy November day some years ago..It was supposed to deliver me to London but it got a bit lost and I ended up in Kent. I've been teaching for what feels like an eternity but is actually about 8 years. I spent almost 6 years teaching in Taiwan which was Feichang hao!! My Chinese is ok but don't expect conversations about nuclear physics.
I love London for its amazing weather and fantastic food, as well as its superb language school...I forget the name. ;) I’m a keen ornithologist and spend most of my weekend watching birds.
"
Robert Jessett
Teacher
"I’ve been teaching English for six years and I specialise in FCE/CAE Cambridge exams and TOEIC. I always try and create a fun and relaxed atmosphere in my classes because I believe this to be the key to good learning, having an excellent track record of high pass rates in my exam classes hopefully underlines this point. I have lived and worked in Spain and Germany, I like contemporary art, country and western music, punk rock, reading biographies, frequent visits to London’s public houses and I usually wear a tie."
Paul Kennedy
Teacher
"I was born in London and I’ve been working at FK for more than 15 years. In that time, I’ve taught virtually every type of class including General English, Cambridge exams, Business English, TOEFL, IELTS etc. I enjoy teaching as I meet lots of interesting people- both students and teachers. My hobbies are travel, food, London history, football, cinema…"
Terrance Baff
Teacher
"My special interest is in teaching reading to adults and children who sometimes can't seem to get to grips with the English Language.
I have recently returned from the Gold Coast after finishing study for International Schools Management. One year in Taiwan and seven years as DOS
at a language school in Oxford have also been enjoyable experiences."
Simon Meehan-Gray
Teacher
"Like most teachers here, I started teaching by accident – but I'm happy I did! I've always loved the English language, and I've adored teaching it since I started in Korea back in 2007. Even outside school I read, write and correct spelling mistakes I see on public signs with a big black marker. I'm also crazy about music (especially depressing rock music!) and spend a lot of time doing volunteer work."follow me on Twitter: @proteksblue
Athon Coulouriotis
Teacher
"I'm originally from Athens, Greece. I studied Philosophy at University College London and have taught in South Korea, Italy and a handful of other schools in London. I work in the one-to-one department. "
Guy Wilson
Teacher
"I have been teaching in the One to One department of Frances King since 2006. Before this, I spent nearly 10 years in Italy teaching English and have also worked in the London insurance market.
In my free time, I enjoy listening to music (mainly 1970s), and reading. I love visiting Italy and Sweden when possible, too.
"
James Whitelocke
Teacher
"My name is James and I come from London. I was born in the City, inside the Roman walls of what used to be called Londinium. I studied Philosophy and Languages at Manchester University and then moved to Bristol to study post-graduate law. I still didn’t know what I wanted to do so I used my own experience of learning Spanish to proficiency level (CEFR C2) to help others learn a foreign language. I look forward to meeting you but I won’t speak Spanish to you. Only English in class please!"
Katie Fremantle
Teacher
"I really enjoy working at Frances King! Being surrounded by so many people of different nationalities and with different experiences is so inspiring! When I was young I travelled widely with my family which triggered my interest in languages and cultures. This eventually led to me spending a wonderful year in Italy. I enjoy photography, reading magazines, and writing, as well as getting outside and exploring the big wide world! "
Liz Porter
Teacher
"Hi, I’m Liz and I’ve been teaching since 2008. Before that I worked in the wine industry (fun!) and the promotional gifts industry (not fun!). I grew up in a rubbish bit of South London but now I live in a posh bit. I’ve also lived in Spain, Mexico and Singapore."
Tim Jones
Teacher
""I have taught at Frances King since the summer of 2011, having spent the previous eighteen months teaching in Istanbul. But my first experience of teaching was at a community level, here in London, several years ago, running free English classes for immigrants, often refugees, from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and elsewhere. It was then that I first got the bug for teaching."
Geoff Nursey
Teacher
"I have lived and worked in Budapest in Hungary and Frankfurt Germany. My background is in the arts. I studied at Maidstone College of Art in the early eighties ( BA (Hons) Fine Art) I have always been interested in creative subjects. In recent years I have concentrated more on writing and teaching. I started teaching in 1997 and have worked for a number of schools and colleges . I like all the usual things cinema , theatre and karate."
Caroline Portsmouth
Teacher
"..."
Tom Foskin
Teacher
"..."
Lois Mackenzie
Teacher
"..."
Phil Alderman
Teacher
"..."
Stephen Westwood
Teacher
"..."
Steve Ives
Teacher
"..."