Patrick Thomas (Patrick Thomas MLitt)

January 2023 - August 2024: INTO University of Stirling, Stirling. - Study Skills & Research Skills Teacher. 

Employed in a full-time subject teaching capacity for international students on the Joint Venture pathways into the University of Stirling. This role required specialist knowledge of my own subject, as well as in-depth awareness of the wider policies and practices of the University of Stirling and UKVI regulations, in order to deliver teaching, develop both synchronous and asynchronous materials, design appropriate formative and summative assessments and actively participate in the development of the curriculum to ensure students are well prepared for the UK HE system. Outside of my own subject specific responsibilities, I took on the additional responsibilities of: 

- Personal Tutor: Working one-to-one with students to encourage academic reflection and personal development, 

- SEN triage worker: Acted on an ad hoc basis to support and preliminarily assess incoming students who disclosed upon arrival or who were referred during the term as having a Specific Educational Need. This involved explaining to them the types of support, funding and processes available for receiving adjustments to both their learning environment and assessments. 

- In-Sessional Support Teacher: Worked to provide tailored Study Skills workshop classes to enrolled students of: 

• The Stirling Management School (University of Stirling), 
• Language, Linguistics and Translation (within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Stirling) 
• TESOL and Education Studies (within the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stirling) 
• Visting Interpretation and Translation students from the University of Stirling’s partner institution Hebei Normal University, China (HNU).

- Pre-Sessional English Teacher: Worked as part of the team of English teachers to provide English language classes, focussing on verbal and written communication skills for the purposes of preparing students for future University study

July 2019 – August 2022: Clear Links Support Ltd: Sheffield. - Study Skills Tutor: 

Employed on a contract basis with Clear Links to provide one-to-one study skills tuition to students at UK institutions. This work involved working with students at all levels, ranging from early undergraduate to continuing postgraduate and assisting them to develop their abilities in exam preparation, academic writing, assignment planning and production, research skills, proofreading, editing, critical thinking as well as any other areas of academic concern raised by the individual student.

October 2018 – 2023/Present: University of Stirling Accessibility and Inclusion Services (Multiple Positions). 

- Study Skills Tutor: Employed on a contract basis by the University to work on an individual basis with students from all academic levels, but who feel they need help developing their academic skills. Primarily this work involves developing assignment preparation, time management, editing and critical skills, academic writing, proof-reading, research and correct referencing. 

- Personal Learning Assistant (P.L.A) (Until January 2023): Employed on a contract basis by the University to work with students who identified as having an SpLD which impacted upon their ability to make the most of and complete their studies. The work ranged from providing in-person assistance for individuals with physical impairment, to offering emotional and mental support both in and out of class, while aditionally taking notes on behalf of or alongside students to further aid their studying. These notes were later typed up to a high standard of academic English and provided to the student as soon as possible after the lecture. 

- Accessible Materials Reformatter (Until January 2023): Worked with the Accessible Formats team to provide visually impaired students with accessible pdf files or recordings of necessary textbooks, readings and research papers. This position involved knowledge of various platforms and associated software, specifically Kurzweil 3000, Abby as well as Acrobat Reader and Microsoft Word.

September 2013 – September 2017: Stadtschulrat für Wien, Vienna, Austria - Native Speaker Teacher:

Employed by the European Office who place Native English speakers in schools across Vienna to provide children of all ages with cultural knowledge and language lessons in preparation for higher education. Specifically worked in two schools, both of an elementary level, with children ranging from 5 to 8 years old, teaching them basic spoken and written English as well as providing cultural lessons on English speaking countries. Also actively contributed to the general running and day to day requirements of the schools, as well as assisted in extra-curricular events and projects. 

June 2013 – January 2016: Berlitz Language Training, Vienna, Austria - English Language Instructor: 

Worked with young adults and business people on a small group or individual basis to develop a working, practical knowledge of English and Business English. These lessons had the aim of allowing the students to communicate verbally in English in order to progress in their respective careers and education.

August 2023 - December 2023: University of Stirling/Advance HE, Stirling Framework for Evidencing Learning and Teaching Engagement (SFELTE) 

- Awarded the certification of Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) from Advance HE, having completed a reflective submission on my own teaching practice and peer observation. 

September 2023: University of Stirling, Learning and Teaching Enhancement 

- Completed a 1 week teacher training course, New to Teaching as part of CPD which explored concepts of teaching useful to all new teachers at University level, including: 

• Classroom management and creating inclusive environments. 
• The role of technology in teaching at University. 
• Effective feedback.

June 2019 – August 2019: University of Stirling, Information Services 

- Completed an Online and Blended Learning Course as part of CPD, focussing on: 

• The changing environment of HE/FE with respect to distance learning and the use of Assistive Technology. 
• The role of teaching staff in a remote teaching environment. 
• Proposed changes to the way students are prepared for HE in the technology age.

Sept 2017 – November 2018: University of Stirling, Stirling 

- Awarded the certificate of Masters of Letters (MLitt) with Merit in The Gothic Imagination, a course which included: 

• Study of Gothic texts from the late 18th to late 20th century. 
• Optional Modules on Scottish Gothic and the Occult Revival. 
• Research conducted at the National Library of Scotland (NLS). 
• A personal dissertation (Gothic and War Literature).

Aug 2012-Nov 2012: I-to-I UK, Leeds - 

Completed 110 hours of online and theoretical study and 20 hours of practical TEFL training in order to attain certification as an EFL/ESL Teacher with specialisms including:

• Comprehensive English Grammar. 
• Teaching Business English. 
• Teaching Large Classes. 
• Teaching One-to-One.

September 2008 – May 2011: University of Portsmouth, Hampshire 

- Awarded 2nd Class Honours (Upper Division) Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature, which included:

• A personal dissertation (The Gothic Genre, War on Terror and Spectrality.) 
• Literature covering periods from the classical to the contemporary alongside related criticism, and theoretical concepts of authorship.