Faculty of Education and Social Work, The University of Auckland

“Reflection on effective teaching and learning underpins my practice.”

Drawing on research and scholarship, Martin develops and delivers language teaching courses that are consistently highly regarded by learners. He uses an experiential Task-based Language Teaching approach which places students’ interests and needs at the centre of all his teaching design and delivery decisions. One student calls this “faultless delivery”. Others write of his ability to bring readings and theories to life and link them to their emerging teaching practice.

Colleagues talk of Martin’s intellectual rigour, deep understanding of the theories that underpin language teaching and his highly regarded scholarship. Martin’s research gives voice to the challenges and issues faced by language teachers. Through his engagement nationally with language teachers he has provided leadership in the field, particularly changes in assessment practices. He is seen as a teacher who “doesn’t just master the field – he advances it”.

Martin says, “The hallmark of my teaching philosophy is reflective practice designed to ignite students’ and colleagues’ thinking and energise their practice”. Undoubtedly he does this.