Teachers

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 love travelling off the beaten track, real music and chinos. Discover my blog , a space for students to share, reflect and improve their English skills"

Patricia Bovis

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."

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!"

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."

Damien Dillon

Teacher

" I'm originally from Ireland and I've been teaching English in Barcelona for the past seven years. I've only been in London for three months so far. I'm new here too and still finding my way around so don't ask me directions. I consider teaching my vocation. I'm also into playing and watching football, riding and fixing bikes, listening to music and DJing occasionally and table tennis. I've recently taken up sailing and passed my theory exam the day before I came to London, and I'm looking forward to doing the practical part and getting my licence someday soon. "

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. "

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."

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. "

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."

Geoff Nursey

Teacher

"I have lived and worked in Budapest in Hungary and Frankfurt in 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."

Lois Mackenzie

Teacher

"I have been an EFL teacher for many years and have worked in Spain, France and the UK. Prior to this I graduated in Law and then worked for a few years in the financial services sector. I love teaching and learning languages and speak reasonable French and rusty Spanish and Italian. My free time is spent trying to keep fit and going to the cinema. "

Ben Parry

Teacher

"Hi, my name's Ben. I love teaching, and have been helping students of English for 16 years, many of these in the south of France. Having also worked in Sales, Marketing, Management and Recruitment, among many other wonderful experiences, I specialise in Business English, for which I have written and run courses. Teaching in London, I am afforded the joy and privilege of learning so much from the global community here. The speed with which my children are growing up underlines one of my mottoes: 'Carpe Diem'! Being from Wales, I am passionate about rugby; and I love music! I play the violin (a little rustily), the guitar (which the neighbours prefer), the mandolin (at a level which can only improve), have written music and very much enjoy singing."

Steve Ives

Teacher

"I've fairly recently returned to teaching having spent a number of years working in various roles across the Middle East. I must admit that I really missed the daily contact with students and the feeling of pride when they go on to achieve their goals, knowing that you might have helped a little bit along the way. I'd like to think that my travelling days aren't quite over, but having a newborn daughter might have put the brakes on such ambitions for the time-being."

Tom Foskin

Teacher

"I am originally from Ireland and have been living in London for over six years. Before London I taught in Japan for a couple of years which was amazing! I started at Frances King last year and really enjoy working here. Unfortunately I am a Liverpool supporter so am not really enjoying watching them these days!"

Caroline Portsmouth

Teacher

" My entire professional life has been centred on effective communication. I started out as an editorial assistant on the Sunday Times and ended my journalistic career as proprietor of a London-based news agency. As a language tutor I have taught in a variety of contexts and my clients have ranged from senior politicians and top executives to university graduates embarking on their careers. I specialise in One-to-One, business and legal English. I have a passion for the English language, meeting people and am fortunate that my job enables me to combine both of these. I have loving family, two adult children. I am London born and bred have travelled extensively, love literature and am fascinated by geopolitics and current affairs. "

Helen Eames

Senior Teacher

" I was living in a tent in Dublin, Ireland, in 2001 when a friend persuaded me to become a teacher and I have been thanking her ever since. I am from Suffolk (don't worry, most people don't know where it is!) but moved to London to go to university and fell in love with the city. I have travelled a lot over the years and lived in Australia, Ireland and South Korea. Korea is a favourite of mine as I lived there for three years- if there is anyone out there from Mokpo or Gangneung, I would love to hear from you! In my free time, I am struggling with learning Spanish- it is good to be a student sometimes- as well as enjoying everything that London has to offer. "