Current Professional Activity

Learning and Writing Facilitator – My Name Is Not Sir, Leicester, UK
Learning and writing skills development sessions for students and other readers and writers.

Examiner Panel Member – Trinity College, London, UK
International ESOL examiner for Trinity College London assessing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills for Trinity GESE and ISE qualifications at all levels of the CEFR Framework. This work is on a consultancy basis and involves travelling to centres in the UK and around the world to conduct Trinity College London ESOL examinations.

Sessional Tutor – Milton Keynes College, Milton Keynes, UK
English, maths, IT and art sessions for learners following level 1 and 2 functional skills qualifications at HMPs Leicester and Gartree

Company Director – This Is The Safe House C.I.C., Leicester, UK
This Is The Safe House is a Community Interest Company creating sessions and programmes to support practical language, literacy and learning skills development. Sessions offer support in making benefit, job, college and UCAS applications, dissertation and assignment planning, drafting, proofreading and editing, CV writing and form filling. The company also authors self-access web and blog resources for language, literacy and learning skills development.

Previous Professional Experience

Small Group Intervention Tutor Brockington College, Leicester, UK
Intervention tutor, working with pupils at Key Stages 3 and 4 (11 – 16), curriculum leaders and classroom teachers on planning and delivery of Small Group Intervention programmes to support the language, literacy, study skills and personal development of learners accessing Pupil Premium funding, focusing on aspects of language, literacy and learning that adversely impact achievement in Key Stages 3 and 4 English Literature and Language assessment and qualifications.

Tutor, Teacher, Teacher Trainer and Coordinator Gateway College, Leicester, UK
Coordinator, teacher and teacher trainer of Functional Skills in English, GCSE English Literature and Language and a range of BTEC programmes for students (16-19) from diverse backgrounds and cultures and with a range of language, literacy and learning skills and needs. Development and delivery of a cross-college Embedding Skills for Life programme working with bi-lingual and multi-lingual students and teachers in all subject areas to develop language, literacy and learning skills across all curriculum areas. Coordinator of the college language and literacy programmes, working with students and teachers on motivation and confidence and supporting students to develop skills and achieve in external qualifications.

Tutor, Student, Worker, Business Owner and Parent Freelance, UK
Private retail business proprietor; freelance tutor and coach in English and Spanish language learning; part-time MA student; milk roundsperson; father of four. During a period of time when energies were focused on my children, I worked as a sole trader producing, buying and selling household goods, artefacts, clothing and jewellery at festivals and markets across the UK and from retail outlets in Leicester, UK. During this time, I also developed and delivered language and literacy programmes to individuals and groups at home and in local community colleges, worked for a local milk delivery company and studied for a Masters Degree.

EFL and ESOL Teacher and Teacher Trainer Various EFL Institutions UK and worldwide
English as a Foreign Language teacher, teacher trainer and manager of EFL centres. Trained initially to teach English as a Foreign Language (EFL) at International House, London, I developed teaching and learning techniques and strategies along with classroom management skills based on a humanistic and communicative approach to language learning. This training led to EFL teaching, teacher training and centre management posts in Europe and Central and South America.

Professional Qualifications

• Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Literacy in the Lifelong Learning Sector (University of Bedford)
• Post Graduate Certificate in Continuing Education (University of Nottingham)
• Diploma in Teaching English as Foreign Language (RSA)
• Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (RSA)

Professional Development and Training

I have attended and delivered training courses on teaching, learning, coaching and mentoring for hard to reach and demotivated learners, learners with ESOL and other language needs, learners with dyslexia, hyperlexia, dyspraxia, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other learning difficulties as well as, and including, the development of techniques and strategies for working with and supporting different types of gifted and talented learners. I have also attended a range of training courses and programmes on delivery and assessment for national and international literature, language and literacy qualifications.

Other Activities and Interests

Creative urban walking, poetry, music, languages and communication in the 21st century, yoga, food, restaurants and cooking, 3 ball juggling. I speak English and Spanish fluently, French quite well and can communicate on a basic level in Italian, Portuguese and Polish. I am currently making attempts to learn Chinese. I practise playing the guitar on a regular basis. I have never played the guitar in public.

Higher Education

• MA Contemporary European Studies (University of Loughborough)
• BA Joint Honours (II-I) Philosophy and Sociology (University of Manchester)

Secondary Education

• A levels in English Literature (B), French (B) and Sociology (A)
• 8 x O levels (A – C), including English and Maths

References

References supplied on request.

As a teacher, teacher trainer and examiner, I work with learners of all ages from all backgrounds and cultures and with diverse specific learning needs. I specialise in language, literacy and learning skills development and support students and teachers engaged in accessing national and international  qualifications.

I work with learners with recognised and unrecognised issues related to diagnosed or undiagnosed conditions that affect learning experiences including dyslexia, hyperlexia, dyspraxia, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other learning difficulties. I also work with all types of gifted and talented learners.

My practice focuses on creating learner-centred and learner-empowering environments using communication and collaboration to support the acquisition and development of personal qualities, skills and knowledge, with particular emphasis on strategies that minimise stresses caused by the requirements of institution or qualification led education.

For those who are really interested in detail, here is my CV:

My Name is Not Sir is a pseudonym that came from using the phrase on an almost daily basis during my years as a language and literacy teacher in a mainstream college. Many students had been so deeply affected by their experiences at school that they found it difficult to call me anything else.

My name is Michael Lynch. I am a teacher, teacher trainer and examiner specialising in language, literacy and study skills support for students and teachers at all levels and in all areas of learning. I work in the UK and world wide.

I have supported students to achieve on GCSE, A Level, BTEC, Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes and students working towards Cambridge, IELTS and Trinity ESOL and EFL qualifications.

I have particular experience and interest in working with students who sometimes find it difficult to achieve their full potential in conventional learning environments.

Go here for more information about me.

How much does a My Name Is Not Sir session cost?

My Name Is Not Sir operates a ‘Pay What You What’ system for consultations and sessions for private individuals.

How does that work, then?

It’s simple! You decide how much you think the session is worth and what you can afford, pay that amount to My Name Is Not Sir by online bank transfer after the session and all is cool.

My Name Is Not Sir didn’t invent this system, we only found out about it the other day, thanks to a Life Coaching session with Chris Edwards.

Here is some information about it:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_what_you_want

It seems like a good idea.