Mark Burns

Mark has been teaching in China since 2005 and has experience with learners from primary school through to higher education. He spent 2 years at a private school attached to Guangdong University of Foreign studies where he was the lead teacher for overseas staff. Following this, Mark was employed by HKU SPACE Suzhou for 6 years with his final position being that of deputy head of Language and Communication. He feels that the experience gained by teaching students at every stage within the Chinese education system is of great benefit when tackling the myriad issues faced by university-based language teaching professionals on a daily basis. His role at XJTLU is that of Module Convener for EAP022 (Advanced English for Analytical Writing) - a course which he helped conceptualise and write. A primary motivation for Mark is to continue to grow and develop his knowledge and skill-set – mirroring the demands he places upon his students. Having recently completed his second Masters degree (MRes) with the University of Liverpool, he has now switched his attention to a new learning focus and is enrolled in a postgraduate diploma course in Clinical and Pastoral Counselling.

In alignment with his doctoral thesis, Mark’s main area of research interest stems from L2 anxiety. He is particularly interested in the various manifestations pertaining to spoken discourse, with Chinese higher education students his main focus group.