Julia Clifford | Academic Skills and English | University College Birmingham

Julia's Profile

Job title

EAP Lecturer and Assessment Developer

Academic qualifications

BA, MA, MPhil and PGCE, Ed.D

Email

j.clifford2@ucb.ac.uk

Telephone

0121 604 1000

Profile

I originally studied French and Spanish followed by an MA in interpreting and translating and an MPhil in Hispanic Studies. I completed my Ed.D in Language Learning and Teaching at the University of Sheffield in 2017, where I specialised in English and Academic Skills assessment. After a short placement at the Council of Europe working as an in-house translator and having taught English in France and Spain, I re-trained as a languages and English lecturer in 2002.

It was at this time I joined University College Birmingham as a student teacher. I gained my full-time post in 2004 and have worked as a lecturer in English for Academic Purposes and Modern Foreign Languages, as well as being part of the master’s dissertation supervision team and occasionally teaching on the master’s research module. More recently I have also been teaching Academic Skills as part of Graduate Advantage and I lead on ASET, the University’s Academic Skills and English Test.

Teaching

Academic Reading and Writing Skills
Research Skills
Academic Communication Skills
English and Study Skills A
English and Study Skills B
Graduate Advantage

Research interests and scholarly activity

Language and Academic Skills assessment; French and Spanish Heritage Cinema; Subtitling

External engagements

DELE A1/A2 and B1/B2 qualified examiner

Other activities

In addition to my role at UCB, I have a keen interest in working in the voluntary sector. I was a chief steward and committee member for the Birmingham St. Patrick's Festival between 2002 and 2008, as well as being a member of the steering committee for the Oral History Project, which culminated in the publication of A Great Day: Celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Birmingham. I have also worked for Girlguiding UK, and have been a qualified unit leader since 2003, leading both Rainbows and Brownies, as well as working as a mentor for new leaders-in-training.