Teaching team

Alisdair Goldsworthy BA Hons, PGCE, DELTA Assistant Academic Manager

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Alisdair supports Chris in running the academic department at ELC Eastbourne. He first joined ELC in February 2020 and has more than 30 years’ experience in ELT having taught in Spain and the UK. He also has many years’ academic management experience at other schools in Eastbourne and is chair of the local Sussex Directors of Studies Association.

Katherine Binger DELTA Teacher

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Katherine first worked for ELC Eastbourne in 2005 and became a permanent member of the teaching staff in 2019. Katherine teaches on all of the courses at the school. She previously taught English in Poland. She speaks fluent German and conversational Polish.

Mark Hill BA, DTEFLA Teacher

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Mark became a teacher at ELC in 1990.  Over the years he has built up experience in teaching general English, examination classes and more specialised courses for professionals in business and academics.  He particularly enjoys assisting students with listening comprehension and the pronunciation of spoken English.

Administration team

Freddie Mezzela BA (Hons) Social Activities Organiser

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Freddie works in reception at ELC Eastbourne. He helps with transfers, welfare and accommodation. Freddie joined ELC in July 2023 having previously worked for another language school in Eastbourne. Freddie is a qualified primary school teacher specialising in mathematics.

Keely Rainer Jones Accommodation & Welfare Officer

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Keely is responsible for the Accommodation Department and for student welfare at ELC Eastbourne, in particular under-18s. She joined ELC in 2022, having previously worked in another language school in Eastbourne. In her free time she enjoys travelling, fitness and nutrition.

Maria Whippy Social Activities Organiser

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Maria is responsible for the social programme at ELC Eastbourne. She has a lot of experience in working in travel and tourism in the UK and abroad. She enjoys looking after international students, studying languages, geography and history. She joined ELC in May 2022

Melinda Morgan Student Services Officer

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Melinda joined ELC in February 2019 after working in administration in another English language school in London. Amongst other things she looks after the planning and logistics of the Fifty Plus social programme. Originally from the US, Melinda taught English in Granada, Spain for 6 years before coming to the UK.

Sophie Bayliss Groups & Enrolment Officer

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Sophie is responsible for enrolments and coordinating groups. She joined ELC Eastbourne in August 2022 having previously worked in various administration roles.

Management team

Chris Robinson BA (Hons), DELTA Academic Manager

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Chris is the Academic Manager at ELC Eastbourne, looking after all aspects of the day-to-day delivery of our courses in Eastbourne. He joined ELC Eastbourne in 2018 having previously taught English in Vietnam, the Czech Republic, Spain and the UK. He has 17 years’ experience as a teacher, examiner and academic manager in the UK. Chris enjoys motorcycle touring and playing football, cricket and chess.

John Veale BA (Hons), DTEFLA Centre Manager

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John is the Centre Manager at ELC Eastbourne and has overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of the centre. He is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Designated Lead for Prevent for ELC Eastbourne. John is experienced in all aspects of leading a successful EFL centre, focusing on student outcomes, achievements and experiences. He joined ELC in 2017 and has had a varied industry experience having taught in the UK, Japan, Spain and Italy. In addition to overseeing ELC Eastbourne, John is also part of the ELC Senior Management Team, contributing to the future development of ELC and its schools in Brighton, Chester and Eastbourne.

Phil Hopkins MA (TESOL), BSc (Hons), DTEFLA Chief Executive

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Phil has overall responsibility for ELC and the 3 schools it operates. Day-to-day he is primarily responsible for strategic direction, administration and marketing. He is also the Designated Safeguarding and Prevent Lead in Chester. Phil joined ELC in 2001. He has over 35 years' experience in ELT, as a principal, academic manager, teacher trainer (CELTA and DELTA) and teacher in the UK, Greece, Spain and Kuwait.