EN

Faculty

	Kumar Agarwal MSc, PhD Cand. Riga Technical University What I like about teaching English: The thing I like best about teaching is that it gives me immense pleasure and can even make me forget the tensions of everyday life, job satisfaction which I get being able to actually give students knowledge and observing them acquire a skill or concept they have been struggling to understand and master the language and the idea that I am touching and hopefully changing the life of a person for the better. I love the daily contact with the students. Not only do I teach them but they also teach me a lot, not too much about subject matter. They are alive and if aimed in the right direction, they are ready to outrun the sun. I also like the daily contact with my colleagues for much the same reason. I mean I am basically paid to give my time to do something I love doing. Professional interests: CALL (Computer-assisted Language Learning) Other interests/hobbies: Anything which is a real stress buster and a nice escape from the drudgery of routine and monotonous life, in particular travelling and recently gardening.

	Jelena Brusjanina MA TEFL, MBA What I like about teaching English: What I like most about teaching English is to watch my students make progress. Teaching English enables you to be creative. It is fun (unless it is TOEFL ;)))))) Professional interests: Language teaching methodology, teacher development Other interests/hobbies: travelling, aerobics, reading.

	Tatiana Ginzburg MBA (Riga Business School), MA in Philology/TEFL (University of Latvia), MSc Eng. (Riga Polytechnical Institute). What I like about teaching English: Watching students make progress and start enjoying the language as their confidence grows. A very special atmosphere in a language classroom as for me it is very much about communication and creativity. The opportunity to learn from students as they bring their own experiences and perspectives to whatever is discussed. Professional interests: As a language educator: materials and course design, teacher training, brain-based learning and teaching, content in a language classroom, emotional aspect of learning. As a manager: holistic approaches to management, management styles and roles. I’m also interested in educational projects as I’m on the European list of experts for management of projects in languages and adult education. Other interests: I’m an avid reader and I love travelling and meeting new people. I like learning new things and try to practice what I preach about life-long learning. I don’t possess any artistic talents but can be seen at theatres, concerts and exhibitions.

	Nora Jurjāne BA in Humanities (English Philology), Modern Language Teacher (Secondary School) Certificate University of Latvia What I like about teaching English: The first thing that comes to my mind why teaching English is my most favourite job so far is that it provides endless opportunities of reativity. The sky is the limit and that applies to every single day. It is rewarding to meet different students and search for an individual approach. Not many things in life give so much joy as a sparkle in your student's eyes finally understanding a grammar rule. Professional interests: Since I have worked in Hospitality, Marketing and Financial industries English for Specific Purposes/Business English is my cup of tea. Working in a secondary school also Academic Writing (Essay writing) is a very crucial aspect of teaching English and it is a great challenge to assist others in developing and organizing their ideas. Other interests: I love travelling, particularly visiting different cities. I find watching TV series, going to the theatre or opera a deserved break from work. And, of course, spending time with my family or friends is priceless.

	Ingrida Kevisa Dr. philol.(University of Latvia) Has over 20 years’ working experience in various institutions of higher education in Latvia and in the area of adult education. Extensive teaching experience in General English in all skill areas. Has also taught Business English, Academic Writing, ESP courses and Speciality Discourse in English. Professional interests include cross-cultural communication, course design and the development of specialist language skills, enabling people work more confidently and effectively in today’s multicultural working environment and raising students’ awareness of their own culture and that of the target language.

	Peter Mensah MBA, Riga Business School, MSC Computer Science, OTD Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, CELTA What I like about teaching English: Apart from the fact that teaching English is exciting and obviously a wonderful experience, it is quite challenging at times and that is when the teacher has to portray his or her creativity including classroom management. Professional interests further academic development. Other interests/hobbies Music and Sports

	Jesse Turner University of Warwick BSc (Hons) Mathematics, TESOL What I like about teaching English: The best thing about teaching is the feeling of satisfaction when a lesson is well received. I also enjoy the classroom atmosphere and interacting with people from different walks of life. Professional interests: Teaching grammar, TOEFL iBT. E-learning is a more recent interest. Other interests: My two young children monopolise most of my free time, but I enjoy baking and cooking and criticising their end results. I follow football but not avidly. I have been starting to learn to play the guitar for almost 2 years.