I have been teaching for over 20 years, including 17 in an academic context. However, my involvement in English for Academic Purposes is more recent (6 years). I first studied Sociology in Paris, then Francophone Literature and Second Language Acquisition in Arizona, USA, while teaching French. I then taught general French and Business English in Prague, Czech Republic and in Brighton. In 2001, I completed a PGCE (Adults) at the University of Surrey, before starting as a French and English language tutor at Royal Holloway. I was an External Examiner at University College London's Language Centre for five years. My current areas of interest include reading to write, academic grammar and vocabulary, internationalisation of the curriculum and service learning.

Publications:

O’Hara, M. and Dampier, G. (2017): “Developing Critical Engagement through Service-Learning.” InFrom 17: 29-31.

Engrand-O'Hara , M. (2012): "Self-customization: Using a portfolio to enhance learner independence".  Linguistik Online 54: 51-60.

Conference papers:

• “Developing Critical Thinking through Service Learning,” poster presentation, EATAW 2017 biannual conference, RHUL, 20-21 June 2017
• “Volunteering for Learning on a Pre-Masters Diploma Programme,” poster presentation, BALEAP 2017 biannual conference, University of Bristol, 7-9 April 2017
•  "Teaching Grammar: Mission Impossible?" BALEAP Grammar PIM, St Andrews University, 20 June 2015
•  "Self-Customization: Using a Portfolio to Enhance Learner Independence," Mass customization of Language Learning and Teaching Conference, University College Dublin, ROI, 26-27 August 2010
• "Teaching Cultural Awareness to Language Students," Language, Culture and Technologies Conference, Kaunas University of Technology, Lithuania, 18-21 May 2006

HEA Fellow