Dr Neophytos Mitsigkas

Biography

I received my PhD in English Language Teaching and my MA in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from the University of Essex. I also have a BA in English Language and Literature that I received by the University of Nicosia. I am a Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics and TESOL with expertise in teacher education, educational leadership, curriculum development, and student motivation. My teaching and research are grounded in inclusive pedagogy, critical applied linguistics, and reflective practice. I have been twixce-nominated for the ‘Excellent Educator’ award at Essex, and I have led major curriculum initiatives including the development of a nationally distinctive TEFL training programme and the university's accreditation as a Trinity CertTESOL provider. My work often bridges research, teaching, and community engagement. I have delivered training across Europe through Erasmus+ programmes and championed refugee and asylum seeker education, contributing to the University of Essex’s recognition as a University of Sanctuary. Research Interests: Teacher Education and Training Educational Leadership and Management Learner Motivation and Self-efficacy Curriculum and Materials Design Multimodality in Language Teaching Inclusive and Refugee Education Teaching: At Essex, I teach and supervise across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including: BA TEFL and TESOL modules MA TESOL: Language Teaching Methodology, Curriculum Design, Reflective Practice PhD supervision in applied linguistics, ELT, and educational leadership I also designed and lead the practice-based TEFL teacher training programme and contribute to external training via the Trinity CertTESOL qualification. Professional Roles: Deputy Director of Education, Department of Language and Linguistics Acting Deputy Head of Department (Education) Chair of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Committees Chair of Academic Recruitment and Appeals Panels Erasmus+ and CPD Trainer (DOREA Institute) Public Engagement and Impact: Designed and delivered language education programmes for refugees and asylum seekers in collaboration with local and international partners. Contributed to the University of Essex’s University of Sanctuary status. Featured by the BBC and other media for work on inclusive and transformative education. Supervision Areas: I welcome supervision inquiries from students interested in: Teacher education and development TESOL/TEFL methodology Educational policy and leadership Curriculum design in ELT Critical and inclusive pedagogies Education and Qualifications: PhD in English Language Teaching, University of Essex MA in TESOL, University of Essex BA in English Language and Literature, University of Nicosia Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Certified in Educational Leadership (Coventry University) Certified in Dyslexia and Foreign Language Teaching

Qualifications

• BA University of Nicosia

• MA University of Essex

• PhD University of Essex

Appointments

Other academic

• BA TEFL Course Director, University of Essex, University of Essex, University of Essex (1/9/2018 - present)

• CertTEFL Director, University of Essex, Language and Linguistics, University of Essex (1/9/2017 - present)

• ECDIS Director, Language and Linguistics, University of Essex (1/9/2018 - present)

• BA English Language and Literature Course Director, Language and Linguistics, University of Essex (1/10/2020 - present)