3 December 2013

Election addresses from election Candidates

It's time to elect a new Executive Commitee, and this year we have three new people putting themselves forward for election. Before you decide whether  to approve them, here are their election addresses, so you can find out about them:


Yvonne Chappell
My name is Yvonne Chappell and I live in Strasbourg. I am British and hail from the North of England but after studying in London I decided it was a nice city and stayed there until my departure to France. I have a B. Sc from London University in Sociology and Economics, an MA in Social Policy from Brunel University, a Law diploma from Leeds Law School and an MBA with an option in European Business Studies. I have been in France for 5 years now and during that time I have taught in both the higher education and private sectors. I have also taught in a children’s home in a voluntary capacity. When I first came to France clutching my CELTA qualification I found that there was very little in the way of support or professional development for English teachers and I sometimes found myself not knowing where to turn. Then, almost by accident I discovered the existence of TESOL France and it is no exaggeration to say that it turned my teaching career around. The help and support it has given me has really enabled me to develop as a teacher. I really believe in the professional development of teachers, if we are confident in ourselves then we will become successful in the classroom and our students will flourish. This is why I want to join the executive com

Aline Grasser

I was born and educated in France. I studied English at the University of Strasbourg, where I got my Maitrise in English. I spent two years of my studies in the USA, one as a student and one as a French Instructor. I’ve been teaching English in France since 2010, but only passed my CELTA in 2013. I teach General and Medical English classes, as well as one-to one. I joined TESOL in 2012, and since then I’ve been more and more involved in it. I’ve joined the Strasbourg branch committee, and in 2013, I was part of the organizing committee of the Spring Day in Strasbourg, helping in the organization of the event and designing the program leaflet. I’m passionate about languages and I’m interested into non-traditional approaches to teaching and education.

Csilla Jaray-Benn

Born and raised in Hungary, completed graduate studies in linguistics and literature in English and French. Obtained three Master of Art’s degrees in English language and literature with teaching certificate, French language and literature and in Theatre Arts. (University Eötvös Lorànd, Budapest and Université Sorbonne nouvelle Paris III).

Worked five years in international cooperation in social sciences at Collegium Budapest Institute for Advanced Studies and at CNRS in Paris. Lived in Canada for three years. Have been living in France (Grenoble) for twelve years. Worked at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Grenoble for five years as business English consultant and trainer. Currently provide in-company professional language training in business English and as a part-time university lecturer Business Communication Skills development courses for Master’s degree students at IAE Université Pierre Mendès France, Grenoble. Also deliver translations in the fields of arts and science, business communication, management, marketing and Human Resources.

Founded Business English Services (www.bes-grenoble.com) professional training organisation in September 2007. BES offers professional training in business English, translating and interpreting to corporate clients in France and outside France.

Introduced a primary school programme for learning English at Ecole Rondeau-Montfleury, Corenc.

Member of TESOL France, IATEFL, IATEFL’s BESIG and LASIG and IATEFL Hungary.

Delivered conference talks on:
One-to-One Dynamics, TESOL France Annual Colloquium 2012
Collaborative Creative Learning, TESOL France Spring Day 2013 Strasburg & TESOL France Lyon Workshop 
The Question is Your Answer, IATEFL BESIG Online Conference, June 2013
Collaborative Creative Learning in Professional Training, IATEFL Hungary Conference, October 2013
Role-Playing and Identity: Motivating in Language Learning, TESOL France Annual Colloquium 2013

Published articles:
Teaching in France: Why is it so difficult? Teaching Times. Spring 2012.
Les Objets-personnages et les personnages-objets dans le theatre de Roland Dubillard. Revue d’Esthétique n°34. 1998.

Other activities:
Head of the Research Committee of “Les Amis de Roland Dubillard”


Maria OSSEI works as a freelance English teacher in a Cambridge ESOL exam centre, a business school and the Chamber of Commerce in Saint Etienne. She has a CELTA and PGCE (equivalent to the CAPES) in Modern Foreign Languages from the Institute of Education, London. She seeks to find creative and fun ways to deliver Cambridge exam preparation classes which motivate students and help them realise their full potential. She has a particular interest in EAP, ESP and using digital resources in the classroom.