1958-1964: Mitcham County Grammar School. London, UK

‘O’ level passes: English, English literature, French, Maths, Geography, History

‘A’ level passes: English, French, Maths

1964-1968: University of London

BA English: 2.1

September 2005-present:

i) Teaching English (general, conversation, business) for the Center for Continuing Education,

ii) Teaching Upper Intermediate English to Vietnam Airlines Management staff on behalf of AAC (American Academic Centre), Hanoi.

2005:
February-August in-house English language teaching programme for adults at Softech, Danang. On arrival at Softech I set a placement test for more than 100 potential students and subsequently organised classes at 4 different levels: elementary, pre-intermediate, intermediate and upper intermediate/advanced business English. Again, I was responsible for the selection of appropriate course material, and testing procedures.

2004:
January – March: voluntary conservation work in New Zealand with Global Volunteer Network April – June: voluntary conservation & teaching work in Thailand (through GVN) June – December: teaching English at Duy Tan University & Phan Tru Chinh Language Center, Danang, Vietnam. My students consisted of university staff, mortem language university students and graduates. At both the university and the language centre, I was responsible for the assessment of ability, the selection of appropriate course material, and testing procedures.

2003:
Successfully completed a CELTA course in Sydney and undertook voluntary English teaching to immigrants.

1981-2003
1981: Appointed Director (London Heathrow) of A/S Aircontactgruppen, a multinational organisation with interests in general aviation, freight forwarding, travel, aircraft leasing, electronics, oil exploration etc.

1986: Appointed Managing Director of Aircontact Ltd., a division of A/S Aircontactgruppen, with specific responsibilities to develop aviation related business in Europe and the USA. During my time as Managing Director, I initiated the establishment of new offices in seven locations in the UK, two in France, two in Germany and one in the USA. More than 100 staff were employed in the various locations.

1992: Resigned my position owing to ill health. I suffered from a condition known as chronic urticaria, which became so severe that I was unable to function in my work and certainly could not cope with the continual travel that my position demanded. The medical problem continues to affect me but it has diminished dramatically and I am pleased to say that the urticaria attacks are now almost non existent and that I enjoy excellent health. Please note that the condition is not contagious.

1992: Moved to the south of France as part of the recovery process from my medical problem. 1994: Started a small agency with just 2 employees that looked after the building and maintenance requirements of British second home owners in the area of France where I had chosen to live: La Vallee de la Ceze, Departement du Gard.

1999: Handed the company to the 2 employees and moved to Australia, which I used as a base in order to travel to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

2001-2003: Bought 2 hectares of land in Queensland and created a ‘Permaculture’ system of food production. I also cleared the area of introduced plant species and replanted native species.

ACHIEVEMENTS IN VIETNAM:
i) Wrote a 3 month course entitled Business Correspondence and Contracts for CCE’s e- leaming programme, which will be launched later this year. I paid a lot attention to creating subject matter that was relevant to Vietnamese learners, and initial reactions have been very favourable. The course includes subject material, progress tests, and assignments for each of the 12 units. I am pleased to say that I persuaded CCE to run a progress based course rather than the normal Vietnamese ‘final test’ course.

ii) Wrote a book specifically for Vietnamese English language teachers designed to convince them that they can teach English pronunciation. The book is finished but requires editing and the production of suitable audio material.

Statement of Dudley Ralph addressing the selection criteria for the position of English language teacher.

1. A Bachelor Degree: BA English

2. For Level 1 Teachers:
– CELTA or equivalent TESOL qualifications: CELTA. – 1 year full time (800 hours) adult ESOL, classroom teaching experience: More than 800 hours teaching in Vietnam.

3. Ability to develop programs and materials appropriate to the teaching o f English language at a range o f proficiency levels: In all my teaching positions in Vietnam, from CCE, I have been responsible for the entire teaching programme.

4. Knowledge and experience in the areas o f student supervision, academic counselling, provision o f orientation and support programs, placement tests, interviews, writing and marking tests, student assessment, course coordination and administration: I would again refer to the teaching positions that I have occupied in Vietnam in which I had sole responsibility for the language programmes.

5. Strong communication and interpersonal skills together with the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues: I am capable of working effectively with both Vietnames and native English teachers, and am always willing to assist as and when necessary.

6. Professional personal presentation: I dress neatly for lessons.

7. Ability to work flexible hours as required: Already do so with CCE and others.

8. Native English speaker: school and university in the U.K. Desirable

9. Professional development/formal study in the teaching o f EAP and!or ESP: no formal development, but I read relevant material extensively.

10. Professional experience in a transnational/international language teaching operation and/or the education sector in Vietnam: I have taught general, conversational and business English at all levels from beginner to advanced in Vietnam.

11. Knowledge o f CALL: Limited knowledge, although I have been looking at the interactive whiteboard software offered by OUP and Pearson Longman for classroom use. I also believe that Internet offers a great deal of scope for teachers.

12. Knowledge o f business/corporate sector: 8 months corporate training with Softech, Danang, and currently teaching Vietnam Airlines management staff.

13. Experience in teaching test preparation: Limited, apart from general English test preparation. I have taught EELTS and TOEIC, but only occasionally.