Since I first became a published author of English Language Teaching materials fifty years ago in 1971, I have contributed in all to more than thirty ELT… Read more “Books I wrote…”
The story of Mister Monday, part 2
The story so far – a Salford lad with limited musical skills and no experience of working in a studio gets a contract to record ten language… Read more “The story of Mister Monday, part 2”
The story of Mister Monday
I started work at International House London in the summer of 1969. For those of you not involved in English language teaching, IH was and remains a… Read more “The story of Mister Monday”
The Post Office
The Post Office sketch was first performed by the English Teaching Theatre in 1989. An old lady goes to a post office with a fish-shaped parcel that… Read more “The Post Office”
The King of Boonland
The King of Boonland is one of my favourite sketches, partly because it’s one that I performed many times on stage, and I’m also the voice of… Read more “The King of Boonland”
The Ticket Inspector
This is the audio and script of a sketch from the English Teaching Theatre, written by Doug Case and me back in the 1970s. The ETT was… Read more “The Ticket Inspector”
It’s January!
So here’s a song to help your students remember the months of the year. Sung by Gillian Bartlam, musical arrangement by Richard Vranch. Bass played by Steve… Read more “It’s January!”
Will anyone be learning English after Brexit?
In his new book The Great British Reboot: How the UK Can Thrive in a Turbulent World, Alex Brummer lists Britain’s ‘remaining and undersung strengths’, the things which will… Read more “Will anyone be learning English after Brexit?”
Walking Wounded
I wrote the following story during my Creative Writing Masters course at Birkbeck College about five years ago. It’s a fictional piece partly based on something that… Read more “Walking Wounded”
6. Fear Of Flying
I’ve got to leave for the airport It’s almost time to catch my plane Time is running out for me I’ve got to leave again Tomorrow I’ll… Read more “6. Fear Of Flying”