Teachers and Staff

Alister Drury, MA, DELTA - Director of Studies

I became an English teacher because I have always been interested in languages and other cultures and I enjoy working in a creative environment. My first teaching job was in Sochi, a town in the South of Russia, and since then I have taught in Moscow, Gdynia in Poland and London. I have an MA in Applied Translation Studies and the Cambridge diploma in English language teaching as well as eight years’ experience of teaching general English, exam preparation courses and business English. In my spare time I enjoy reading, swimming, ice-skating and learning foreign languages.

Andy Lawler , PGCE- Centre Manager, studying for DELTA
I became a teacher after finishing university in 2001, and I have taught in Spain, Italy, Hungary, Libya and the UK. In the classroom, I enjoy learning from students about their countries and cultures. When I’m not working, I play the guitar, enjoy reading modern literature and going out with friends. At present, I am studying for my DELTA qualification at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Adam Osborne, MA- Centre Manager
I've been teaching English for over 10 years now, starting in Japan and continuing at secondary schools in the UK. I took time out to take my MA TESOL last year at Leeds University; hard work but worthwhile. In my free time you'll often find me running over the moors and fells around West Yorkshire, and I have competed for Great Britain at several World and European Mountain Running Championships.

Neil Stapley - Senior English Teacher, studying for DELTA

After gaining my TESOL certificate in 1994, I began my teaching career in Japan. I only intended to stay there for a year but fell in love with the country and stayed for 15 years! As well as teaching, I spent a lot of my working life there training other teachers and observing classes, and I spent my free time playing bass in an indie-rock band called Velocity Boy. I like all kinds of music, but I’m particularly interested in ambient and electronic music and the avant-garde. I am currently studying for my DELTA qualification at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Michaela Seserman, MA - Senior English Teacher, studying for DELTA

I joined LELS in November 2010 after teaching English at Bradford College and the University of Bradford from 2008. In my free time I enjoy cooking international dishes. I am currently studying for the DELTA qualification at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Jemima Perry, PGCE, DELTA - English Teacher and Trinity Cert TESOL Trainer
I’ve been teaching for about eleven years and I’ve worked in Japan and Spain as well as many places in the UK. Before I came to LELS I did a PGCE in adult education in Manchester. I’m originally from near Leeds so it’s nice to be back home in sunny Yorkshire after all my travels. I enjoy cycling, cooking, gardening, going to the cinema and reading.

Wendy Adams, DELTA - English Teacher and Trinity Cert TESOL Trainer
I have been a teacher for six years, and have taught in the UK, Poland and Portugal. During this time I have worked with students of all ages and levels. I love the job satisfaction that teaching brings, particularly from working with beginner and exam preparation classes. My interests outside work include playing tennis, walking, reading and going to the cinema.

Veronica North, MA- English Teacher and Trinity Cert TESOL Trainer
I have been a teacher for over 8 years and have taught in Russia, Spain, Poland and the UK, and I have also been a Language Advisor at Middlesex University. I have studied dance for many years and I am also a music fan – I play the violin in my free time. Having studied a number of languages myself, I am interested in all areas of language learning, in particular pronunciation and the acquisition of natural language patterns.

Chris Pajak - English Teacher, studying for DELTA

I have been teaching for over 8 years and have worked in Spain and the UK. Before that I worked in banking. In my spare time I am a keen golfer. I also have a master's degree in Sports Psychology. I am now studying for my DELTA qualification at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Joe Spooner - English Teacher

I've been teaching English since 2002 and have worked in Indonesia, Mexico, Georgia, Italy, Vietnam and Bulgaria. I've had an amazing time in these countries but I am happy to have settled in Yorkshire.

Francine Rackham - English Teacher

I'm a modern languages graduate. I speak French and Spanish fluently and have taught English in France. I started teaching at LELS in November 2010 and love it here. When I'm not working I enjoy running, yoga and vegetarian cooking. I also run the weekend trips for students which is great fun!

Peter Bloodworth - English Teacher
Both my parents were teachers, so when I left university I decided to try something different. I've had a successful career in marketing, with exciting jobs that have taken me all over the world, doing business in languages I learned at school. For the last 3 years I have been teaching English in Leeds. In my spare time I enjoy singing, walking in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside and playing with my grandson.

Sandy Cunha - English Teacher

I became a teacher after completing my degree. It seems like a long time ago! I especially enjoy the opportunity my work gives me to meet people from all over the world. I have taught in the UK, Spain, Portugal and Brazil. In my free time I enjoy yoga, cooking, dancing (I’m a frustrated ballerina) and spending time with my daughters.

Lindsey Fielding de Gil - English Teacher
I've been teaching at Leeds English since 2006, but took a break in 2009 - 2010 to study translation and interpreting and to have my first baby. I am a fluent speaker of Spanish and love to visit South America whenever I can.

Claire Humphrey - English Teacher
I'm from Cambridge and have taught English in my home town and in Paris, where I also worked as a tour guide. I first moved to Leeds in 2001 to study French and English. Since then I have continued with my own studies alongside teaching and in 2007 did an MA in European Languages at Cambridge. In October 2011 submitted a PhD in French at the University of Manchester. I have recently moved to the Yorkshire countryside and am enjoying the slower pace of life and the beautiful scenery.