Sarah Burkitt

Profile

I began working at the University of Leeds in 2019, teaching ESAP (English for Specific Purposes) on a summer pre-sessional course (Language for Science). Since then, I have worked on a range of pre-undergraduate to post-graduate EGAP (English for General Academic Purposes) and ESAP courses. I currently deliver insessional Academic Literacy sessions in the Faculty of Biological Sciences and co-lead the Language for Science summer presessional course. I also teach on the Lifelong Learning: Transition to Medicine module, which is part of the Gateway to Medicine programme.

Responsibilities

• Insessional Co-lead (Faculty of Biological Sciences)
• Lecturer on MED10103 Lifelong Learning: Transition to Medicine

Research interests

I am passionate about understanding the specific needs of ESAP science students and considering how these can affect pedagogical choices within an ESAP classroom. I am also intested in understanding the interplay between emotions and learning, so that teachers can foster more positive educational experiences and promote student well-being.  A recent research project of mine focused on the benefit of intergrating empathetic awareness through arts-based pedagogies with ESAP medical, dental and healthcare students.  I am also interested in using genre analysis to inform my teaching, and have previously focused on analysing the specific linguistic features of laboratory reports within Food Science. A further research interest of mine is EAP teacher development and early practitioner identities, particularly for those transitioning from teaching General English to EAP.

Conference presentations and workshops

• Burkitt, S. 2024. Entering EAP scholarship: exploring obstacles and opportunities. University of Leeds Language Centre Summer Conference 2024, 22 July, online.
• Burkitt, S., Girdlestone, C. and Murawska, A. 2024. “The monkey on my brain”, “The seed in my brain”, “The Fear of the unknown”- our reflections on scholarship. University of Leeds Language Centre Summer Conference 2024, 22 July, online.
• Burkitt, S. 2024. How do you feel? Fostering empathy with ESAP medical and dentistry students. InForm Conference, University of Leeds, 8 June, Leeds.
• Burkitt, S. and Girdlestone, C. 2022. The Role of Reflection in CPD: The experience of two EAP practitioners studying an MA in Teaching English for Academic Purposes.  The University of Sheffield BALEAP PIM 2022 Conference, 12 November, Sheffield.
• Burkitt, S. 2022. ‘Putting myself in your shoes’: fostering empathetic awareness with ESAP medical and dental students. University of Leeds Language Centre Summer Conference 2022, 7 September, Leeds.
• Burkitt, S. and Fernbank, T. 2021. Overcoming the challenges of collaborating with critical friends. University of Leeds Language Centre Summer Conference 2021, 30 July, online.
• Burkitt, S. 2021. Puzzled with breakout room engagement? Exploring students’ perspectives through a practice-based inquiry. University of Leeds Language Centre Summer Conference 2021, 30 July, online.
• Burkitt, S. 2021. Exploring student interaction and engagement in breakout rooms: a practice-based inquiry of pre-undergraduate EAP students. InForm Conference University of Kent 2021, 9 July, online.
• Burkitt, S. 2020. ’There is no such thing as the Gruffalo’: a reflection on using children’s stories in an ESAP classroom. BALEAP Creative Disciplines SIG 2020, 27 November, online.

Qualifications

• MA Teaching English for Academic Purposes (Distinction)
• BA (Hons) Religions and Theology
• PGCE in Secondary R.E.
• Cambridge DELTA
• Cambridge CELTA

Professional memberships

• BALEAP
• HEA

Student education

I presently teach Lifelong Learning: Transition to Medicine , co-lead insessional provision for the Faculty of Biological Sciences (postgraduate-level students) and co-lead the summer pre-sessional Language for Science course.

Research groups and institutes

• Language Centre