About

I have over 18 years' experience in lecturing in my specialist field, which is Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and Teaching English as a Second Language. During my time at the University of Derby, I have managed our International courses and overseen the care of International students on our programmes.

I have extensive experience in teaching across the four skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening, as well as specialising in pronunciation and vocabulary work. I have also taught English for Academic Purposes at several levels from level 3 to level 7.

Teaching responsibilities

I am a Senior Lecturer on BA Education Studies, Programme Leader for the MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), and TESOL Pathway Lead for both the online MA Education programme and our undergraduate provision. My teaching centres on international, comparative, and global perspectives in education, with a particular focus on language teaching and learning.

I lead modules including: Introduction to TESOL, Principles and Practices of TESOL 1, Comparative Education, Education and Globalisation, and Education and Global Inequality. I am passionate about supporting students to explore the complex relationships between language, culture, education, and social justice in diverse educational contexts.

Research interests

My research interests centre around learner autonomy and how to promote a sense of individual responsibility for learning, particularly amongst international students.

Membership of professional bodies

• International Association for the Educational Role of the English Language (ERLA)
• FHEA

Qualifications

• BA (Hons) French and German
• MA Education 
• Cambridge CELTA
• Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector

Experience in industry

• Lecturer in English for Academic Purposes at the University of Derby
• ESOL Lecturer Derby Adult Learning Service
• English tutor - Istanbul Lisan Merkezi

International experience

I have taught English in Turkey, France and Germany. I also have extensive experience in dealing with the complex needs of International students at UK Higher Education institutions.

Recent publications

• Muir, K. (2020) A Virtual Conference: the first of its kind for ERLA - a personal account. Educational Role of Language Journal-Examining Learner and Teacher Language Identity, 1 (3) pp. 124-125
• Nijjar, B., Winder, N. & Muir, K. (2014) Edexcel International GCSE English as a Second Language, (2^nd Edition), London: Edexcel Pearson

Courses

• Education MA (online)
• Education (Leadership and Management) MA (online)
• Education (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) MA (online)