Dr Tracey Costley
-
Email
tcostley@essex.ac.uk -
Telephone
+44 (0) 1206 872089
-
Location
4.340, Colchester Campus
-
Academic support hours
During the Summer term 2026, please email to arrange a time to meet. During the Autumn term 2026 my academic support hours will be Wednesdays 12-1:00pm and Thursdays 1-2:00 pm During the Spring term 2027 I will be on research leave and can be contacted via email.
Profile
Biography
I am a Senior Lecturer in English Language Teaching (TEFL/TESOL) in the School of Language, Literature, and Media where I teach modules across a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, specifically our BA TEFL and MA TESOL degrees. In my research I am interested in how language policies shape and are shaped by classroom and community practices. I am interested in how individuals’ linguistic repertoires are (or are not) drawn upon in teaching and learning. I work with concepts such as multilingualism, translanguaging, superdiversity and academic literacies. In my research I largely adopt ethnographic approaches in exploring and understanding language learning and teaching with a particular focus on how teachers and students come together to create and construct meaning. I have been involved in a number of international research projects exploring multilingual practices in schools in Botswana, Tanzania and Zambia. I have also worked as an international consultant for UNICEF looking at language practices and education policy in Nepal. I am currently a Co-Investigator on an ESRC Large Grant project 'Multilingualism, Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities of Practiced Linguistic Diversity' (2023-2027). Prior to joining the University of Essex I was a Visiting Assistant Professor at City University of Hong Kong (2012-2016). I am an experienced English Language teacher with experience of teaching English for Academic Purposes, English for Specific Purposes and General English, in the UK as well as internationally in a range of English Language Teaching contexts in Thailand, Turkey, China and Taiwan. I have a Certificate in TESOL and a Licentiate Diploma in TESOL from Trintiy College London. I am currently Vice-Chair of The National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum the national subject association for English as Additional Language Learners (EAL) https://naldic.org.uk/.
Qualifications
-
PhD Philosophy of Education King's College London, University of London,
-
Master's Degree Language, Ethnicity and Education King's College London,
Appointments
University of Essex
-
Senior Lecturer TEFL/TESOL, Language and Linguistics, University of Essex (1/10/2021 - present)
-
Lecturer English Language Teaching (TEFL/TESOL), Language and Linguistics, University of Essex (1/1/2016 - 30/9/2021)
-
Head of Department, Language and Linguistics, University of Essex (18/12/2021 - 17/12/2024)
Other academic
-
Visiting Assistant Professor, English, City University of Hong Kong (1/8/2012 - 10/12/2015)
Research and professional activities
Research interests
English as Additional Language Learners (EAL)
Academic Literacies
Student Identity in Writing at University
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
-
Language Teaching in Different Contexts (LG329)
-
Introduction to Professional Communication (LG366)
-
English for Specific Purposes: Traditions and Practices in Language Teaching (LG657)
-
Research methods for language and linguistics (LG213)
-
Project: Linguistics (LG831)
-
Group Project: Linguistics (LG832)
-
Initial Teaching Practice (LG666)
-
MA Dissertation (LG981)
Current supervision
Previous supervision
Degree subject: Applied Linguistics
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 13/5/2026
Degree subject: Applied Linguistics
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 16/12/2025
Degree subject: English Language Teaching
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 19/6/2025
Degree subject: Applied Linguistics
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 6/6/2025
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 28/10/2024
Degree subject: Applied Linguistics
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 28/8/2024
Degree subject: Sociolinguistics
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 26/6/2024
Degree subject: Applied Linguistics
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 15/5/2024
Degree subject: English Language Teaching
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 3/1/2024
Degree subject: Linguistics
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 17/3/2022
Degree subject: Applied Linguistics
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 6/2/2020
Publications
Journal articles (15)
Reilly, C., Gibson, H., Costley, T. and Kula, N., (2025). Deconstructing Boundaries and Building Translanguaging Spaces for Effective Multilingual Learning. NORRAG. 11
Al-Harthi, M., Sonbul, S. and Costley, T., (2025). Tracking development in the translation of formulaic sequences: a longitudinal case study. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 12 (1)
Reilly, C., Costley, T., Gibson, H. and Kula, N., (2024). The multilingual university: language ideology, hidden policies and language practices in Malawian universities. Language, Culture and Curriculum. 37 (2), 213-229
Mapunda, G., Costley, T., Gibson, H., Kula, N. and Reilly, C., (2024). Rethinking language: The need for language supportive pedagogy within teacher training in Tanzania. Nordic Journal of African Studies. 33 (3), 184-202
Costley, T., Kula, N. and Marten, L., (2023). Translanguaging Spaces and Multilingual Public Writing in Zambia: Tracing change in the linguistic landscape of Ndola on the Copperbelt. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. 44 (9), 773-793
Reilly, C., Costley, T., Gibson, H., Kula, N., Bagwasi, M., Dikosha, D., Mmolao, P., Mwansa, J., Mwandia, M., Mapunda, G. and James, E., (2023). Emerging principles for researching multilingually in linguistic ethnography: Reflections from Botswana, Tanzania, the UK, and Zambia. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development. 44 (8), 689-701
Reilly, C., Bagwasi, MM., Costley, T., Gibson, H., Kula, NC., Mapunda, G. and Mwansa, J., (2022). ‘Languages don’t have bones, so you can just break them’: rethinking multilingualism in education policy and practice in Africa. Journal of the British Academy. 10 (s4), 1-20
Bagwasi, M. and Costley, T., (2022). A defiance of language policy: seamless boundaries between languages in Botswana classrooms. Journal of the British Academy. 10 (s4), 125-140
Fitzpatrick, D., Costley, T. and Tavakoli, P., (2022). Exploring EAP teachers’ expertise: Reflections on practice, pedagogy and professional development. Journal of English for Academic Purposes. 59, 101140-101140
Costley, T. and Reilly, C., (2021). Methodological Principles for Researching Multilingually: Reflections on Linguistic Ethnography. TESOL Quarterly. 55 (3), 1035-1047
Costley, T., Gkonou, C., Myles, F., Roehr-Brackin, K. and Tellier, A., (2020). Multilingual and monolingual children in the primary-level language classroom: individual differences and perceptions of foreign language learning. The Language Learning Journal. 48 (5), 643-655
Costley, T. and Leung, C., (2020). Putting translanguaging into practice: A view from England. System. 92, 102270-102270
Bremner, S. and Costley, T., (2018). Bringing reality to the classroom: Exercises in intertextuality. English for Specific Purposes. 52, 1-12
Costley, T., (2014). English as an additional language, policy and the teaching and learning of English in England. Language and Education. 28 (3), 276-292
Safford, K. and Costley, T., (2008). ‘I didn't speak for the first year’: Silence, Self-Study and Student Stories of English Language Learning in Mainstream Education. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching. 2 (2), 136-151
Books (2)
Flowerdew, J. and Costley, T., (2017). Discipline Specific Writing, Theory into Practice. Routledge Taylor Francis. 9781138907447
Chik, A., Costley, T. and Pennington, MC., (2015). Creativity and Discovery in the University Writing Class: A Teacher's Guide. Equinox. 9781781793312
Book chapters (14)
Costley, T., Gibson, H., Reilly, C., Chetty, R. and Poudel, P., Empire of Monolingualism: The Impact of Colonial Monolingual Ideologies in Botswana, Nepal, and South Africa. In: Empire of Monolingualism: The Impact of Colonial Monolingual Ideologies in Botswana, Nepal, and South Africa. Editors: Goodman, B. and Barros, S., . Multilingual matters
Costley, T., Gibson, H., Kula, N. and Reilly, C., (2026). Multilingualism in Africa: The Need for Ideological Change in Language in Education Policy. In: The Oxford Handbook of Education in Africa. Editors: Sooryamoorthy, R. and Moletsane, R., . OUP. 9780197826676
Dyck, D., Costley, T., Si'ilata, R., Assaf, N., Harrington, H., Creese, A., Galloway-Gallego, A., Blackledge, A., Moriarty, E., Dove, J., Kelz, R., Pitman, T., Forsdick, C., Dearden, L., Herxheimer, S., Ahmed, M., Valente, J., Deumert, A., Biesta, G., Youssef, M., Douglas, A., Gumede, T., Finch, H. and Einarsson, CP., (2024). Encountering through storytelling. In: Listening Without Borders Creating Spaces for Encountering Difference. 54- 86
Einarsson, CP., Krause-Alzaidi, LS., Ahmed, M., Dyck, D., Moriarty, E., Ibrahim, A., Deumert, A., Creese, A., Adami, E., Biesta, G., Beiler, IR., Dewilde, J., Valente, J., Boldt, G., Kubanyiova, M., Williams, Q., Fellows, K., Costley, T., Heidt, I., Reilly, C., Gumede, T., Pitman, T., Si'ilata, R., Rapport, N., Finch, H., Shetty, P., Kelz, R. and Douglas, A., (2024). Communicating within, between and beyond social categories. In: Listening Without Borders Creating Spaces for Encountering Difference. 12- 53
Reilly, C., Gibson, H., Kula, N., Costley, T., Mapunda, G. and Mwansa, J., (2024). Bringing the outside in: Attitudes towards multilingual competence in Zambia and Tanzania. In: Learning Languages, Being Social. Editors: Mohr, S. and Ferrara, L., . De Gruyter Mouton. 199- 230
Reilly, C., Costley, T., Gibson, H. and Kula, NC., (2024). Teacher creativity in navigating multilingual classrooms: negotiating policy and practice in Botswana, Tanzania, and Zambia. In: Multilingualism and Multiculturalism: Language Teaching and Learning. Editors: Karpava, S., . Brill. 140- 162. 9789004702288
Costley, T., (2022). A short history of provision for Multilingual learners in state-funded education in England. In: The ResearchED Guide to English As an Additional Language: an Evidence-Informed Guide for Teachers. Editors: Chalmers, H., . John Catt Educational. 1915261341. 9781915261342
Costley, T., Tavakoli, P. and Fitzpatrick, D., (2020). Writing and Good Language Teachers.. In: Lessons from Good Language Teachers. Editors: Griffiths, C. and Tajeddin, Z., . Cambridge University Press. 286- 297. 9781108489263
Costley, T. and Fitzpatrick, D., (2017). Using Annotated Bibliographies to develop student writing in social sciences. In: Discipline-Specific Writing theory into practice. Editors: Flowerdew, J. and Costley, T., . Routledge Taylor Francis. 113- 126. 9781138907447
Costley, T., (2017). 'No Way, I Could Never Write My Essays in Cantonese. I Only Know How to Do it in English': Understanding Undergraduate Students' Languages and LIteracies at a Hong Kong University. In: Academic Biliteracies Multilingual Repertoires in Higher Education. Editors: Palfreyman, D. and van der Walt, C., . Multilingual Matters. 19- 41. 9781783097401
Costley, T., (2015). What's in a name? Power, space and the negotiation of identities. In: Advances and Current Trends in Language Teacher Identity Research. Editors: Cheung, YL. and Ben Said, S., . Routledge Taylor and Francis. 74- 86. 9781138025363
Costley, TJ. and Leung, C., (2015). English as an Additional Language: Symbolic policy and local practices. In: Managing Diversity in Education Languages, Policies, Pedagogies. Editors: Little, D. and Leung, C., . Multilingual Matters. 27- 42
Costley, T. and Leung, C., (2009). English as Additional Language Across the Curriculum: Policies in practice. In: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Classrooms New Dilemmas for Teachers. Editors: Miller, J., Kostogriz, A. and Gearon, M., . Multilingual Matters. 151- 171. 978-1-84769-216-0
Costley, TJ., (2008). "You are beginning to sound like an academic": Finding and owning your academic voice. In: Learning the Literacy Practices of Graduate School Insiders' Reflections on Academic Enculturation. Editors: Pearson Casanave, C. and Li, X., . Michigan. 0472032313. 9780472032310
Reports and Papers (1)
Prasad Poudel, P. and Costley, T., Understanding the Impact of Languages and Languages Policies on Children's Learning Outcomes in Nepal
Other (1)
Costley, T., (2019).Book review: Teaching Writing for Academic Purposes to Multilingual Students: Instructional Approaches, J. Bitchener, N. Storch, R. Wette (Eds.). Routledge (2017). Journal of English for Academic Purposes. 41,Elsevier
Grants and funding
2026
Sylheti speakers and language heterotopias in London's East End
Economic and Social Research Council
Challenging myths and stereotypes surrounding multilingual classrooms, learners and multilingual learning
University of Essex (QR Impact Fund)
2025
Realising multilingual education in Nepal
University of Essex (Research England - PSF)
2022
Supporting Multilingualism in Practice: Resource co-creation in primary classrooms in Tanzania
British Academy
Supporting Multilingualism in Practice: Resource co-creation in primary classrooms in Tanzania
British Academy
2020
Disrupting discourse: establishing a decolonial paradigm for language policy, pedagogy, and practice
University of Essex (GCRF)
Disrupting discourse: establishing a decolonial paradigm for language policy, pedagogy, and practice
University of Essex (GCRF)
2019
Bringing the outside in: Merging local language and literacy practices to enhance classroom learning and achievement
British Academy
Bringing the outside in: Merging local language and literacy practices to enhance classroom learning and achievement
British Academy
Contact
Academic support hours:
During the Summer term 2026, please email to arrange a time to meet. During the Autumn term 2026 my academic support hours will be Wednesdays 12-1:00pm and Thursdays 1-2:00 pm During the Spring term 2027 I will be on research leave and can be contacted via email.