JOE Hallwood, managing director and co-founder of Dingwall-based, award-winning English teacher training firm, TEFL Org UK, has been called on by China’s largest English-language newspaper to judge a major international English-speaking competition in China this week.
The competition, starting in Beijing on Saturday 22nd March, will see 165 finalists battle it out to be named the Chinese champion English speaker, and secure a place representing their country at the ESU International Public Speaking Competition in London this May.
Nearly 100,000 students entered the prestigious competition, which takes a year to reach the final stage.
Entrants are judged on a range of criteria including speech, language quality and the general impression they give when speaking English in public.
Joe is one of nine judges and has been specially selected as a question master, alongside Ms Feng Feifei, Producer & Anchor of BBC Learning English.
He will be responsible for questioning the finalists, while his colleagues on the panel will provide scoring.
Other judges include senior representatives from some of China’s leading universities and the Editor-in-Chief of China Daily.
Joe Hallwood is no stranger to awards, as his business was named a finalist in the Federation of Small Businesses & Streamline UK Business Awards 2013 and the Scottish Business Awards 2013.
He was also a finalist in the IoD Director of the Year Awards 2013 and won Outstanding Business of the Year 2013 at Highland Business Awards.
He said: “It’s great to be on the other side of the judging panel this time and I’m really looking forward to judging the competition.
“As a business, we’ve been building stronger links to China over recent years, having launched an internship programme for UK citizens seeking the opportunity to work in China for five months last year and also signing a major international partnership agreement with one of the largest online training providers in China.
“It’s an honour to be asked to sit on the panel alongside many well-respected English language academics and literary leaders.”
Joe Hallwood has a long history in English language teaching and examining as well as many years of presenting experience. He set up TEFL Org UK in Dingwall with his wife Jennifer in 2008 from their garden shed and has since grown the business to employ 15 people from its Highland base. The firm has more accreditations from national education bodies than any other equivalent TEFL provider, and offers the widest range of course locations in the UK.
About TEFL Org UK
TEFL Org UK is an award-winning company that has trained and sent thousands of TEFL students abroad.
The company is staffed and managed by experienced professionals with over 30 years of experience in teaching English and teacher training.
You’ll receive the highest standard of TEFL training throughout your transition to becoming an English language teacher; from detailed course content to extensive support from our tutors and team of experts.
With more accreditation than any other provider, TEFL Org UK ensures a TEFL experience that will change your life forever.
Media contacts
Joe Hallwood is available for media interviews prior to leaving for China at 10am on Thursday 20th March
Images available on request
For all media requests please contact Muckle Media for TEFL Org UK:
Nathalie Agnew: nathalie.agnew@mucklemedia.co.uk T 01463 214 965
Eilidh Marshall: eilidh.marshall@mucklemedia.co.uk T 01463 214 965
PRESS RELEASE issued by Muckle Media. You too can post your story ideas for journalists (aka press or media releases), on allmediascotland.com. Email info@allmediascotland.com for more information.
Contact: nathalie agnew
Phone: 01463214965
Email: nathalie.agnew@mucklemedia.co.uk
Website: http://www.tefl.org.uk/
