Meet The INTESOL Worldwide Team | TEFL & TESOL Training Providers

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 Iran

Dr Ahmad Pourghasem Shadehi – Director of INTESOL Iran

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.

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 Vietnam

Dr Van Nguyen Thuy Hong – Director

Dr. Nguyen Thuy Hong VAN is an educator with more than 25 years of experience in education and training and is the Director of INTESOL Vietnam, the Master Franchise of INTESOL Worldwide in Vietnam. She is the TESOL trainer certified by INTESOL Worldwide (UK). Dr Van has delivered a series of training courses for ESL teachers of ESL and teachers teaching Math and Science in English. For her, sharing is happiness. Through training and teaching activities, she desires to bring the best knowledge and practice to learners who are her biggest inspiration. Her goal is to improve teaching and learning quality, in order to bring happiness to every lesson at schools 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 Armenia

Kristine Mkrtchyan – CEO

Kristine is CEO and founder of Universe Language and Training Centre and INTESOL in Armenia. She is a Marketing specialist and a Content Marketing Specialist accredited by Digital Content Marketing Academy Berlin. Kristine has more than 18 years of experience in the sphere of marketing. During this period, she has received many certificates, including Team Leadership and Management Skills, Entrepreneurship and Business Life Coach Certification and Personal Branding. She is the author of 15 books and several translations. Kristine has always been passionate about languages and speaks fluent English, German and Russian. Her life’s motto is Benjamin Franklin’s quote “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”

Irina Vardanyan – Director of Studies & Teacher Trainer

Irina has been working for INTESOL since 2019. She is a professional teacher who has been involved in teaching English for over 15 years. She graduated from the American University of Armenia acquiring a TEFL Certificate in 2003. She earned her PhD in English Linguistics in 2010. Irina is an associate professor at Yerevan State University and a Director of Studies at Universe Language Centre. In 2016 Irina completed the online professional development course “How to Teach IELTS”. She is a certified oral examiner for PTE General and PTE Young Learners International Examinations. She received her “From Teacher to Trainer” Certificate of Completion with Distinction from Norwich Institute for Language Education NILE, (Norwich, UK) in 2018. She is the author of one collective monograph and ten scientific articles, published in Armenian and international journals. Training teachers and teaching English are two of her passions that she is proud to be doing.

Anna Ghabuzyan – English Language Instructor & Tutor

Anna has been working as an English language instructor and tutor since 2013. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Intercultural Relations and a Certificate in INTESOL TESOL 190. She is currently an MA TEFL student at the American University of Armenia. She has several professional certificates and has passed a number of teaching training courses. For Anna, teaching is a partnership between the teacher and the students. Mutual perseverance and determination, a willingness to continually learn, and a desire to work lead to both parties’ great success. Her teaching motto is “Teacher is not the king of the classroom, but the grey cardinal.”

Sona Iskandarian – Teacher Trainer & English Teacher

Sona has been working for INTESOL Worldwide since 2020. She has experience in teaching English since 2012. She has worked in a couple of public and private sectors. Sona has experience in teaching English for Academic Purposes. She has worked as a teacher trainer in China. She has successfully passed a CELTA course. Sona is an author of a number of articles on different aspects of linguistics. She has always been motivated by seeing the result of her devoted work. According to her, teaching is an ocean of discovery and the good result is the feedback of her devotion to this discovery.

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