Education

University College London, United Kingdom, Education – MA
Newcastle University, United Kingdom – PGCE
University of Exeter, United Kingdom, English Literature – BA

Working experience

Mark obtained a Bachelors degree in English Literature. On completion of his studies, he worked as a TEFL teacher to combine his passion for travelling, exploring new countries and cultures with teaching. After several years working back in the UK (in publishing, telecommunications and consumer electronics), he returned to university to deepen his knowledge of pedagogical theory and techniques. He obtained his PGCE in 2006, followed by an MA in Education in 2019. His practical teaching experience spans several countries – he started his career in his native England, but he has also worked in the Czech Republic (Mark was one of first teachers of Nový PORG in 2009); he taught for several years in Peru and China before he finally returned to Prague and Nový PORG in 2020. Over the years, Mark has gained a wealth of experience as an English language and literature teacher, Head of English and IB coordinator. Mark is also a qualified teacher of the IB Diploma programme and he continuously deepens his qualifications in this area.

Hobbies

In his spare time Mark enjoys playing guitar, studying, creative writing and (sporadically) performing improvisational comedy. His favourite writers are Iain Banks, Mikhail Bulgakov, Jorge Luis Borges and Italo Calvino. Mark is a keen cyclist, using his trusty and rusty bike every day – whatever the conditions.