INTESOL Staff Worldwide
Meet the INTESOL Staff
INTESOL staff are dedicated to providing the highest level of tuition, be it onsite or online. All trainers are well qualified in TESOL at all levels, with a wealth of experience in teaching ESOL, ESP and EAP at all levels from primary to university, plus examining for the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate and materials writing.
INTESOL WORLDWIDE has been established since 1993 and has sold many TEFL | TESOL courses to students who have been looking for a quality, accredited TESOL course. INTESOL is run by Course Director, Lynda Hazelwood, who has vast experience in the field of teacher training in ESOL. Lynda is assisted by Technical Administrator, David Buckle who has a background in English and IT.
Lynda Hazelwood – Course Director
Lynda Hazelwood has been teaching languages since 1971. Since then she has taught in England and overseas, in both the public and private sectors, in primary, senior and adult education. She also has experience of English for Academic Purposes and materials writing at university level. Lynda has been employed by the British Council for whom she taught all levels including Cambridge exam classes and English for Specific Purposes. She has been an examiner for the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate and for the Pan-Hellenic Association of Language School Owners in Greece.Lynda founded INTESOL in 1993 in Bristol, England. A variety of courses and services were provided including one-to-one language tuition; adult language classes; French clubs for 5 – 11 year olds; English home stays for foreign learners and weekend introductory courses in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The most successful of these became the weekend introductory courses in TESOL. 80% of the participants wanted to take a course, which would qualify them to teach ESOL, but most could not give up four weeks of their time to study. Lynda decided to develop course materials for home study which soon developed into the world renowned INTESOL Certificate in TESOL by distance learning. A short time later the course achieved accreditation and is now one of the most respected courses worldwide.
David Buckle – Technical Administrator
David Buckle has been working for INTESOL since 2001 and looks after the technical aspects of the business. He has a BSc in Computing and Technology, and a good knowledge of both computer hardware and software systems. David’s duties cover general IT matters including website updates, maintenance of computing equipment and general technical administration tasks. He also assists in the production, printing, and sending out of prospectuses, information packs and course materials.
INTESOL Tutors
Vincent Ferrer – Senior Tutor
Vincent has been working for INTESOL Worldwide since 2003. He holds an MA in Education and English Language Teaching and a Diploma in TESOL. Of American and Spanish descent, Vincent has had a long career in TEFL | TESOL. He has had a number of teaching and managerial positions over the years: from teaching young learners to Director of Studies on EFL Summer Camps to Course Director and Academic Consultant on a number of TEFL training courses. Vincent is the author of a number of articles on various aspects of TEFL and has been a guest speaker in international conferences and symposiums. Currently he is utterly committed to training English Language teachers and his main motivation is, in his own words, to ‘better our courses constantly so that our teachers not only satisfy the demands of the market but actually make a difference when they teach’.
Mihaela Dascalu – Senior Tutor
Mihaela has been working for INTESOL Worldwide since 2003. She has run many pre-service and in-service training courses both face-to-face and distance courses in Romania and Greece; and delivered workshops at many international conferences. She has worked for a number of British Council projects on developing teacher training and training of trainers programmes. Mihaela has developed and coordinated onsite and distance training courses and has trained teachers for over thirteen years. She is the co-author of the In-service Distance Training Course for Teachers of English, British Council. She holds a Licentiate Diploma in English Language and Literature and French Language and Literature and an MA in Teaching at the School for International Training, Vermont, USA. Being a non-native speaker of English, she has experience of being a learner of English that is invaluable for developing the native speakers’ awareness of teaching their own language.
Alex Semakin – Senior Tutor & Student Support
Alex has been working for INTESOL since 2011. He got his Bachelors degree in TEFL in 1995 and has been teaching English ever since. His students have been adults and children in Russia, where he has worked in high schools and a language centre, and also as a private tutor. In addition to that, he has substantial experience teaching students across the world via the internet. Alex’s specializations include exam skills training, teaching advanced level learners and teaching academic writing. He was an official examiner for the Russian Department of Education, administering the National Exam in English. He is currently writing his dissertation for the MA TESOL programme at the University of Manchester, which he is completing online.
INTESOL Russia
Lidia Egorova – Course Coordinator
Lidia Egorova, joined the international education services industry and has been working in the field of education for more than 8 years. She has a degree from the Far Eastern Federal University in Russia and has been living in China for one and a half years. She studied at Cambridge University. She is a very energetic, easy-going, communicative person. Lidia likes travelling to foreign countries, reading and learning different cultures.
Elena Plekhanova – TESOL TRAINER
On graduation from Orenburg State University Elena committed herself to the education sector. She has been involved in teacher training and development since 2006. Elena has graduated with a Masters Degree (Language Theory) from the Orenburg State University. She has attended professional retraining according to the programmes “Teacher of specialized educational institution” and “The teacher of the higher school”. In her free time Elena enjoys ski mountaineering, yoga and travelling.
INTESOL Japan
Hogara Okamoto – Administration Officer
Hogara joined the education services industry after he had worked for advertising agencies for 19 years, mainly in the field of global business. He has a bachelors degree from Sophia University, Tokyo. He likes travelling to foreign countries and singing songs in karaoke.
Rocco Nigro – TESOL TUTOR
Rocco has been working for INTESOL Worldwide since 2005. He has been involved in the TEFL industry for many years as a teacher, teacher trainer, academic manager and examiner for TOEIC. He is currently based in Brisbane, Australia and has previously worked in Japan for two years and in China from 2001 to 2003. His initial studies include a Diploma in Engineering, and afterwards he completed a Master of Applied Linguistics through Macquarie University in Australia to add to his TEFL qualification.
INTESOL Bolivia
Colin Young – Teacher Trainer
Hi, my name is Colin Young. I am a teacher, a trainer, a traveller, a runner, and a language enthusiast. I am originally from Canada, but have been living overseas for over 10+ years in China, Korea, Turkey, Malaysia and Australia! English teaching was what brought me around the world and I have experience teaching all ages and levels, ranging from 5 year old kindergarten classes to rocket scientists at Samsung. I arrived in La Paz, Bolivia in January 2016 and have been enjoying training the English teachers of the future in our TESOL Certificate program at instituto-exclusivo!
Qatar Skills Academy
Rahima Yunus – Trainer & Assessor
Rahima is a UK qualified IT, English, Communication and Business Administration trainer who has worked with numerous individuals and a variety of multi-cultural organisations in Qatar over the last 2 years. Rahima has extensive experience in teaching English and IT working very closely with Qtel over the past year on their English and Technical Diploma programme as well incorporating specific work skills development programmes into their everyday teachings. Rahima also provides continuous professional development and IT training to Al Khaliji Bank on a weekly basis. Rahima has also taught IELTS and Business English with Capco and QChem. Previously Rahima worked at the Aeronautical College teaching English in specialise fields. Prior to moving to Doha, Rahima worked as Project Manager, IT and English Trainer for a selection of firms in London. Rahima has a Cambridge qualification in English as well as TEFL training, Train the Trainer and is a qualified ECDL Instructor. Rahima is currently studying for BA Hons in Islamic Studies. Rahima is described by our clients as of one of most positive and proactive trainers they have met. She is heavily customer focused with a commitment to providing solutions and services tailored towards specific requirements for all our clients.
INTESOL Cyprus
Antonis Ioannou – Course Director
Born in Limassol and educated in the UK, Antonis is a holder of two degrees and a post graduate degree in Greek , English and a PGD in TEFL respectively. He is one of the most experienced tutors in Teacher Training we have at Plato. He began as a teacher of English where he taught in Greece and in Governmental Schools in Cyprus. He was promoted to deputy and then head of the English Departments of more than 8 Governmental Lycea and Gymnasia and ended as the Headmaster of Polemidia Gymnasium, a governmental high school in Limassol Cyprus . Now with more than 27 years of experience in TEFL he is an asset to the TEFL Plato Team. Antonis has written hundreds of TEFL Materials and he is a member of ICM ,the IETFL Cyprus .
INTESOL Iran
Mohamadreza Tavaf – ELT Manager & TESOL Trainer
Born in 1976 Tehran
MA in Teaching
Manager of International Affairs
Kiarash Kasaie – ELT Manager & TESOL Trainer
Born in 1976 Tehran
Cambridge Celta. MA in teaching, Founder and manager of Gap elite language group with 22 years of experience in ELT , a Celta holder, certified Cambridge speaking examiner and a member of Cambridge assessment department and a teacher trainer. He has worked as an educational manager and teacher trainer for many language institutes and schools in different levels from young learners to advance. Having a certificate in teaching to young learners and working as a general educational manager and curriculum designer at Shokouh language institutes with 90 branches has made him a great asset to many educational complexes. He also has taught many IELTS and TOEFL courses during all these years and has great experience in enhancing the candidates general band scores.
Kourosh Golafshan – TESOL Examiner
Born September 22nd,1985, Kourosh has been an EFL/ESL instructor for over a decade. During this time he has been teaching English to different age groups, both group and private classes, with different purposes. Moreover he has considerable experience teaching via the Internet, in addition to his position as Education Manager in different Language institutes and schools. He has also been a member of Cambridge Assessment English as an examiner since 2016. Kourosh’s specializations include exam skills training (including CAMBRIDGE ASSESSMENT English Exams, IELTS, and TOEFL), teaching advanced level learners, teaching for academic aims and teacher training courses
Iran INTESOL
Dr Ahmad Pourghasem Shadehi – Director of Iran INTESOL
Dr. Pourghasem is the Director of INTESOL in Iran and CEO of the International Language Centre of Amirkabir University of Technology. He has been teaching English since 2000 and has a PhD in The Philosophy of Language and the Mind. He has worked on how the mind can be extended through languages. He has worked on ethical situations an English teacher may encounter and has also studied the “Professional Codes of Ethics for English Teachers” which is totally new in TEFL courses. He has been working as a QC supervisor for G2 to create the university entrance exam in Iran since 2015. He is also the supervisor of a number of schools in Tehran. Dr. Pourghasem did his TESOL training course in 2016 and started working for INTESOL WORLDWIDE as the director of IRAN INTESOL. Their main centre is located in Tehran.
Elham Gerami – IELTS Director and Teacher Trainer
Elham Gerami is the IELTS Trainer at the International Language Center of Amirkabir University of Technology (ILCA). She has been teaching English since 2004 and has an MA in Applied Linguistics. She has an MA in TEFL from the University of Tehran and she has taught different age groups and levels in various private and public sectors. She completed her certificate in Fundamentals of Language Assessment at TESOL Arabia and Trainer Training in IELTS FOR TEACHERS at INTESOL WORLDWIDE. Elham has experience of English for Specific Purposes, writing IELTS course books and testing and developing materials at university level. She has trained and introduced efficient IELTS trainers to the TEFL industry and run many workshops for universities and English language schools. She has also been involved as a teacher trainer and education supervisor for several years and coordinated with ILCA Board of Education to design a curriculum and materials for distance learning courses. Elham is currently working at International Language Center of Amirkabir University of Technology as an IELTS trainer, teacher trainer, test developer, material designer and education manager.
Mohammad Tajbakhsh – Certified TESOL Trainer
Mohammad Tajbakhsh has been teaching English since 2004. He is currently working at the International Language Center of Amirkabir University of Technology as a teacher trainer. He has an MA in TEFL from Kharazmi University and he has taught different age groups and levels in various private and public sectors. He has experience of English for Specific Purposes, writing IELTS course books, testing and developing materials at university level. He has also been involved for several years and coordinated with ILCA Board of Education. Mohammad is currently working at International Language Center of Amirkabir University of Technology as a teacher trainer, test developer and IELTS trainer. He has also published work in a number of national and international papers.
GTT Academy – INTESOL India
Sudhriti Roy (Aryan) – Director
Aryan has a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a Post Graduate Degree in Mass Communication and 7 years experience in the ELT Industry.
Rachel Banerjee – Director
Rachel has a Bachelor’s Degree in Eco-Stats-Maths with Post Graduate Degree in Business Administration and more than thirteen years experience in the ELT industry.
Andy Roy – Academic Head
Andy has 18+ years experience in the education field. He conducts TESOL courses in India and Thailand and continues to develop a wide range of training programs for teachers and trainers for online and onsite courses. Andy holds a Masters Degree in English Language Teaching, a TESOL Certificate, a Certificate in Leadership for Teachers and Trainers and a Certificate in Behavioral Skill and Advance Facilitation training.
Archana Chauhan – Tutor
Archana has more than fifteen years experience in teaching Pre and primary children with a degree in teaching. She is a course developer and evaluator and a mentor to future teachers.
INTESOL Cambodia
KD Eryarar – Supervisor
KD is the driving force behind INTESOL Cambodia – TESOL House. Working in education prominently in teacher training and TESOL for more than a decade, KD has great experience and knowledge in delivering and managing TESOL programmes.
Pisey Long – Director
Pisey Long is the TESOL House Director, as well as Campus Director of Aii Language Center, Mao Tse Tong Campus. He is one of the Senior Management in Mengly J. Quach Education in charge of overseeing the general operation of the whole school, both academic and non-academic. Pisey joined MJQE in 2006 as a part-time ESL teacher. Due to his dedication and outstanding teaching performance for almost 5 years, he was promoted from a part-time and full-time ESL teacher to Head Teacher in 2010. In addition to his position as a head teacher, he was also appointed to be the Principal for English at the American Intercon School in 2013. In 2016, he got another promotion as Vice Chancellor and Board of Observer. Finally, he was promoted to be the campus director and he is also a Steering Committee Member of the Annual CamTESOL Conference. Pisey received his Bachelor’s degree in Education majoring in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Build Bright University. He was also awarded the TESOL Teaching certificate, the internationally recognized certificate from INTESOL Worldwide based in the United Kingdom.
Steven Lee – TESOL & Management Trainer
Steven Lee is an experienced TESOL and management trainer from Singapore. He has a B.A. degree from The University of Tennessee in the U.S. and more than 10 years of experience working for multinational companies in Singapore like IBM, Thomson, and Singapore Press Holdings. He has previously worked for about a year as an independent management trainer with The Mekong Private Sector Development Facility (MPDF), which is part of the World Bank Group. He completed the Training of Trainers for the “Supervisory Skills” program and facilitated the training for garment factory supervisors and managers in Cambodia. He also developed and facilitated “Management Perspective” workshop for companies in Cambodia like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airports, and MJQ Education. He has been involved in the TEFL industry for more than 15 years as a teacher and later as a teacher trainer. He tries to bring real-world examples into the training, so that it is engaging, fun, and immediately applicable. He enjoys being a trainer especially, in his own words, “when participants feel empowered, motivated, and equipped to use the hands-on skills as soon as they walk out of the training room.”
Thalyna Chhoeung – Executive Secretary
Thalyna Chhoeung received her Bachelor of Education in English from a reputable national university which is also one of the members of the ASEAN University Network (AUN). As part of her academic achievements, Miss Chhoeung took part and won first place in the JCI Cambodia Debating Championship both in 2013 and 2014. She also participated in the JCI World Public Speaking Championship in 2013, in South Korea and JCI World Debating Championship in 2014, in Japan. Following her winning the first place in the JCI Cambodia Debating Championship in 2013, she became an ESL teacher at the American Intercon Institute, one of the most well known language training centers in Cambodia, where she has gained most of her English language teaching experience as well as her management skills. She was later promoted to be the Executive Secretary to the Campus Director, and is now also in charge of overseeing the TESOL House administrative work.
Australian Dream College – Myanmar
James Gwa – Campus Director
James Gwa has extensive experience in the education field in both teaching as well as leading. Since March 2014 James has been the campus director at Queensland International Institute and from 2016 he held the same position at Australian Dream College, based in Myanmar. James has experience teaching English as a second language in Australia from 2008 to 2014. He completed his Graduate Certificate in TESOL in 2012 in Australia and his Masters of Business Administration in 2009. James also completed a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, which allows him to teach Australian Accredited Programs.
Belinda Swank – TESOL Trainer
Belinda Swank is currently enrolled at the University doing her Post Grad Diploma in TESOL. She has been involved in teaching as well as training since 2006 in Asia as well as in the USA. Ms. Swank has taught adults as well as young learners English as a Second Language in different countries. She completed her Diploma in Early Childhood Education as well as Human Resource Management. This last year Belinda has been working at our college in different Management and Compliance departments to gain more experience. She is also a qualified IELTS coach and has certificates both in TEFL as well as IELTS.
INTESOL at Anglo Centres – Spain
Vincent Ferrer – Course Director
Vince holds a MEd in ELT and a TESOL Diploma and is currently based in Tarragona where he combines his role of Director of Studies for Anglo Centres language schools with teaching for the local URV University. He is also an experienced teacher trainer and TEFL course writer and acts as course director and tutor on Anglo Centres TEFL courses. His main interests are TEFL methodology and distance learning education. Vince has had an active role in INTESOL as an online tutor, course writer and trainers’ trainer since 1995.
Nina Skuse – Senior Trainer
Nina has been teaching EFL for over 20 years and has held senior teacher and Director of Studies positions for a number of reknown language centres. She started in Italy and has since taught in Japan, England and Spain. Over the years she has taught young learners and adults at all levels from elementary to proficiency, specializing in Cambridge exams for which she has been a speaking examiner since 1998. Nina is also an experienced teacher trainer and has been mentoring teachers for years.
INTESOL at IAE – Vietnam
Dr Van Nguyen Thuy Hong – Director of Centre for Talent Development
Dr. Van Nguyen has more than 20 years of education and training experience. She has been teaching English since 1996. Her students are at various levels from junior, senior to testprep. She has taken the leading role in various programs in higher education institutions such as trans-national education, internationalization, research partnerships, and human resource development. Her current position is the Director of Center for Talent Development, Institution of American Education. Her main goal is to improve the teaching quality in schools, focusing on teacher training and professional development for teaching staff in Vietnam
INTESOL at English Plus Global – South Africa
Fatima Halday (Director)
Fatima has a background in Psychology and Communication Science, and worked as a Psychological Counsellor before teaching. She also owned businesses in various industries ranging from importing and distribution to marketing, travel and retail. Fatima has worked at the British Council as an examinations officer, and at language schools in Cape Town, South Africa teaching General English, Business English, IELTS and other exam prep courses. She has also taught English for Academic Purposes at universities in China.
Ridwaan Olivier (Trainer)
Ridwaan is a TESOL certified teacher with extensive experience in Business Management, Banking and IT Project management. He worked at the National Bank of Abu Dhabi as well as Investec Bank South Africa specialising in financial risk management and IT delivery. Ridwaan previously studied Arabic and French and is currently studying Spanish
INTESOL Cyprus
Eleni Stylianou
Eleni Stylianou was born in Limassol, Cyprus and emigrated to Canada when she was 18. For the next 25 years, she raised a family and lived in several different Canadian provinces, educating herself in the process. In 1993, she returned to Cyprus intending to remain there, having trained as an English language teacher. However, a second marriage to a fellow educator saw her spend the next two and half decades travelling around the Middle East and Southeast Asia. As part of her continuing education, she took an Advanced Certificate in TESOL from Aston University and a US Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics. She was one of the first western teachers to be employed teaching English to female students in Saudi Arabia, worked as a teacher for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Corporation and the Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE. Her last position in the Middle East was as an English language teacher for Prince Mohammed University. On moving to Malaysia, she retrained as a Counsellor and a specialist in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). She returned to Cyprus when her husband retired and established INTESOL Cyprus in 2020. As someone who knows more than most about the challenges and rewards of online and distance learning, she is ideally placed to offer help and professional guidance to trainee teachers of the English language who wish to pursue academic training online.
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