Natasha Rust

Profile

I joined the university in September 2011 as a research assistant and undergraduate seminar tutor in the Department of Linguistics and Phonetics after completing my Master's degree from the same department. I was a seminar tutor on first and second year modules introducing core concepts in Linguistics and Phonetics. During my time in the department, I worked on two research projects; one of which was researching the acquisition and processing of noun-coun compounds in advanced learners of English and the other was focussed on developing and launching an undergraduate research developement pilot scheme within the department.

I now work in the Language Centre as a lecturer in EAP and have held this post since 2012. I have taught and lead on Language Centre modules for foundation year students and prospective, UG, PGT and PGR students. I also teach in the School of Chemistry and School of Physics and Astronomy on the MSc programmes as well as support lecturers and students with language and academic literacy on other programmes within these schools. 

Prior to working at Leeds, I have worked for private language schools teaching English as a second language as well as further education colleges teaching ESOL. I taught and developed a range of courses including exam preparation courses in FCE, CAE and IELTS. In addition, I have experience in  support assistant roles with students with special educational needs, particularly dyslexia and autism.

Responsibilities

• Deputy Director of Student Education, Language Centre

Research interests

My current scholarship interests include demysifying EAP for STEM contexts and exploring pedagogies and curricula design for this purpose. In addition, I am interested in how beliefs and approaches to second language acquisition manifest in course and lesson design within English language teaching in general but more specifically EAP and English for additional purposes material available in higher education. I am part of the pedagogical linguistics satelite as part of the Language at Leeds network which explores these and other related aspects of linguistic knowledge within applied contexts.

My main teaching commitments are within approaches to EAP within STEM disciplines and my scholarship explores curriculum design within an EAP syllabus for students progressing or within a STEM-focussed programme. I am on the organising committee of the BALEAP STEM special interest group, which aims to connect BALEAP members working in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics. We also aim to collate examples of good practice; develop and share understanding of linguistic features in STEM and encourage further research into EAP and STEM. BALEAP STEM SIG – Connecting BALEAP members working in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

Qualifications

• MA Linguistics. University of Leeds
• CELTA. University of Liverpool
• BA Psychology and Criminology. University of Liverpool

Professional memberships

• BALEAP

Student education

In my current role as deputy director of student education, I work on the Language Centre strategic priorities with colleagues and I am the named APT lead for the Language Centre. Additionally, I will be working on student communications and student voice to enhance our curricula and the student experience. 

Research groups and institutes

• Language Centre