Today we chat with Gerard McLoughlin who will be delivering a talk at The Cambridge Experience Valencia

Today I have the pleasure to chat with Gerard McLoughlin. Gerard has been a teacher and trainer for 20 years. He is currently a teacher and trainer on CELTA and DELTA courses at International House Barcelona. He has an MA in ELT and is a co-author of Next Generation, a Bachillerato coursebook for Cambridge University Press.

Gerard will be delivering the talk "Accuracy to Fluency" next Saturday 11th of May at the Cambridge Experience Valencia - Hotel Silken Puerta Valencia. 

Entrance is free but teachers wanting to attend need to register in advance here.

Hello Gerard! Why did you decide to go into English language teaching?

When I first finished collage I knew I wanted to live in Italy and asked around about how I could get work there. Friends told me about teaching English and that’s what made me start. Once I was there I realised that being in the classroom suited my personality. I love helping people and the classroom gives me an opportunity to do exactly that. I could never see myself doing anything else. I never get bored whether I’m training teachers or teaching.

Gerard McLoughlin

Who or what inspires you?

My students! Our classes are about sharing information and I learn so much from being with them. It has really helped me to grow as a person and understand what makes people click.

What's your all time top-tip for English language teachers?

Be yourself, listen to your students and help them say what they want to say.

Do you have a favourite ELT website?

This is a hard one as I have so many both ELT and non-ELT. One of the things I do in my classes is try to develop students’ awareness of issues and world conditions they might not have considered. My all time favourite for doing this is Disabled Access Friendly   It has a wealth of material and lesson plans that I use quite regularly in my classes. But as most teachers I also find a lot  of ideas on everday websites such as The Guardian  and New York Times.

A gadget you can't live without?

I’m not a big gadget person. I suppose it’s because of my generation.  I couldn’t live without my laptop, I use it all the time for keeping in touch with family and friends and keeping up to date with what’s happening in the world.

And finally, why do you think teachers should see your talk?

That’s a hard one.  My talk is about how I help students develop their speaking. I find that speaking is also about listening and both speakers have a role. It’s a two way conversation and how do we make that seem natural? Come and find out! 

Thanks Gerard! It's been a pleasure to chat with you!