Senior Lecturer for English Language

I have been involved in one role or another in the delivery of the foundation year programme at the University of Bedfordshire since 2000.

I have also taught linguistics and Intercultural communication at UG and PG level. Another significant area of involvement for me is on the university’s Certificate in English as a Foreign Language (CERT TEFL) course, to which I contributed for a decade or more.

My interest in Intercultural Communication stems from various travels across large areas of the world. I have spent what feels like a lifetime in travel, largely in so called third world countries, and often in situations in which I stay with local families in isolated places, learning their way of life. I firmly believe there is a lot to be learnt from the lifestyles of other cultures which us ‘westerners’ may consider to backward or outdated.

By trade I am a creative writer. I am currently working on my second full length novel, and I am also responsible for a body of work including short stories, novellas and poetry. I have presented my work at literary festivals in the UK, including the St. Albans literary festival in 2014, following which the local press described me as a ‘young, up and coming author’. I am well into my fifties!

I am also co-manager of Harpenden’s U10 cricket team.

In my spare time I enjoy walking in the countryside, supporting St. Albans City FC and Sussex CCC, watching cricket wherever and whenever possible, literature, listening to and enjoying live alternative, punk and post punk music, cooking and spending time with my wife and two children, Ollie and Pippa, who are 10 and 8 years old respectively and very active in various spheres.

Qualifications

• PGcert Applied Linguistics, University of Luton
• CERT TEFL, University of Luton
• Diploma, Creative writing, Morris School of writing

Teaching Expertise

• Course Leader, EU Foundation Course
• CERT TEFL
• Intercultural Communication
• Various units UG English Language and Linguistics

Research Interests

• Culture and classrooms
• Relevance theoretical approaches to L2 acquisition

External Roles

• External Examiner at UCLAN

Publications

• Lapwood J (2007) Relevance, Culture and English Language Classrooms conference paper
• Lapwood J (2014) Are we Receiving? Adaptation issues facing foreign students in UK University classrooms Conference paper
• Lapwood J (2019) Culture Shock in UK classrooms

Contact Details

T: +44 (0)1582 743459
E: john.lapwood@beds.ac.uk