Kat Robb

Profile

Profile

My career as a language practitioner emerged from my own personal passion for language learning. The constant endeavour to find efficient teaching and learning solutions as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher, lead me to into the field of print and digital content authoring. My fascination for technology and appetite to learn resulted in studying a Masters degree in Educational Technology (Ed Tech) and Teaching English as a Second or Other Language (TESOL). My role as a teacher trainer coincided with this transition, and prompted me to share my ideas at English Language Teaching (ELT) conferences such as IATEFL, TESOL Spain, and TESOL France, in addition to print journals.

What motivated me to undertake PhD study?

My PhD research interest in chatbots originates from the area of educational technology (Ed Tech) I researched for my Master degree: Robot Assisted Language Learning (RALL). On completion of my MA I went on a field trip to Osaka University which enabled me to gain a practical insight into RALL and confirmed my strong desire to continue my research and investigate other potential Ed Tech tools. I believe Human Computer Interaction (HCI) is the future of language learning, and that chatbots offer a practical solution to the problems of interactional confidence learners of English often experience.

What makes me passionate about my subject?

My passion lies within educational technology which fosters my on-going research interests into the development of tools for teaching and learning English as a foreign language. While chatbots have become ubiquitous in the customer service industry, their use as a language learning tool has yet to be fully exploited. This is the motivation that drives my doctoral research.

Publications

My favourite teaching materials Modern English Teacher, Vol. 28 Issue 2, April 2019

Power to the learner, Modern English Teacher, Vol. 28 Issue 1, January 2019, pp.6-7

Feedback – what is it and who is it for?, Modern English Teacher, Vol. 27 Issue 3, July 2018, pp. 35-36

Integrating reading and writing skills for EAP, Modern English Teacher, Vol. 27 Issue 2, April 2018, pp.28-29

An integrated skills approach to speaking and listening, Modern English Teacher, Vol. 27 Issue 1, January 2018, pp. 31-32

Reflective video – Self reflection, English Teaching Professional, Issue 110, May 2017, pp. 49

EAP – what is it and why is it becoming so popular?, Modern English Teacher, Vol. 26.2, April 2017, pp. 7-8

Reflective video – Benefits, English Teaching Professional, Issue 109, March 2017, pp. 64-65

Reflective video – Motivations, English Teaching Professional, Issue 108, January 2017, pp. 51-52

Teaching teens – Challenges and rewards, Modern English Teacher, Vol. 26.1, January 2017, pp. 8-9

Words, Words, Words – Teaching Vocabulary, Modern English Teacher, Vol. 25.4, October 2016, pp. 30-31

Going Digital – Materials writing in the digital age, Modern English Teacher, Vol. 25.3, July 2016, pp. 6-8

Mobile Technologies – Friend or foe? Modern English Teacher, Vol. 25.2 April 2016, pp. 19-21

Reflective video in an EAP context, Modern English Teacher, Vol. 25.1, January 2016, pp. 31-33

Phone – Camera – Action, IATEFL TDSIG Newsletter, July 2015

Conferences

2019

14th Workshop on Innovative Use of NLP for Building Educational Applications – Program Committee

2017

Innovate ELT, Barcelona: Digital learner support for the Cambridge exams

First Annual San Sebastian ELT Conference: Integrating technology into classroom teaching

2016

Exams Catalunya Annual ELT Conference, Barcelona: Feedback: What is it and who is it for?

TESOL Spain, Barcelona: Reflective practice: from thinking to doing

TESOL Spain, Barcelona: Reflective practice: from thinking to doing

Innovate ELT, Barcelona: WeChat, do you?

IATEFL, Birmingham: Instant messaging with learners: chilled out chat room or creepy treehouse?

International House Barcelona ELT Conference: Reflective practice: from thinking to doing

2015

The Image Conference, Munich: Mobile videos: creating videos to develop oral skills

The Image Conference, Munich: Mobile videos: creating videos to develop oral skills

TESOL France Annual International Colloqueum, Paris: Reflective video

IATEFL BESIG Annual Conference, Barcelona: Using video to help develop oral skills using mobile devices

Innovate ELT, Barcelona: Using video in the classroom

Website

http://englishandtech.com/

Qualifications

• MA Educational Technology & TESOL
• Trinity DipTESOL
• BA International Relations & French