Deirdre McKenna

Profile

I joined the University of Leeds in June 2020 as a Lecturer in EAP and currently have the following roles:

- In-sessional support for MA Film Studies module MODL5620 Film Arts & Industries, leading the Academic Literacies programme

- Module Leader for AEPS Level 2 

- Tutor on the 10 week online pre-sessional for STEM students

I previously worked as a Teaching Fellow in ELT at the University of Sussex, Brighton (2016-2020) where my responsibilities included convening the Pre-Sessional, the PGT Business Communication Skills module, and the FY Academic Skills module for Psychology students. I have also held EAP posts at the Arts University Bournemouth (2015-2016), and the University of Nottingham Ningbo, China (2013-2015), specialising in ESAP for Architecture and Design. Prior to my work in EAP, I taught Business English in Germany for 2 years and GE in South Korea for 5 years. 

My research interests include: the need for and viability of an ESOL programme at the University of Leeds; the role of language teaching in the identity of EAP practitioners; the cross-over in skills development and language needs for students using English as an additional language vs students using English as an L1; the impact of curriculum and materials development in supporting tutors new to EAP; communities of practice in the EAP teaching sphere. 

<h4>Research projects</h4> <p>Any research projects I'm currently working on will be listed below. Our list of all <a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/dir/research-projects">research projects</a> allows you to view and search the full list of projects in the faculty.</p>

Qualifications

• PG Cert in HE & HEA Fellowship
• MA in Applied Linguistics & TESOL
• Licentiate Diploma in TESOL
• BSc Psychology

Professional memberships

• BALEAP

Research groups and institutes

• Language Centre