The Learning Village is resource developed by Across Cultures. We provide teachers and parents with the skills and resources needed to successfully support their young English language learners within the demands of the curriculum.
Here's our team:

Caroline Scott
Director, Author & Trainer
Caroline Scott BA, DipM, NPQH, MA has been working in schools developing English language skills for young learners, catering for beginner through to fluent learners in culturally rich, international minded learning environments. She has taught young learners and trained teachers in the Europe, South East Asia and the Middle East. Caroline was the founding Head of Primary at CES, A British International school in Cairo, Egypt (3-18 IPC school) and the Primary Principal at the International School of Milan, Italy (3-18 IB PYP school). As well as delivering training across the UK and overseas, Caroline links to a school in London where she continues to work with teachers and learners.
Caroline is the author of 'Teaching Children English as an Additional Language: A programme for 7-11 year olds', 'Teaching English as an Additional Language 5-11: A Whole School Resource' and 'An English as an additional Language (EAL) Programme: Learning through images for 7-14 year olds'. She has also developed EAL teacher training, resources and online learning (www.learningvillage.net) to support teachers catering for new-to-English learners in the English speaking mainstream.

Isabelle Bridger-Eames
EAL Specialist
Isabelle is one of our EAL Specialists responsible for demonstrations, training and memberships. She is an experienced teacher having taught KS2 and 3 for over 10 years. She has a Master's in Educational Leadership and Management. She is a freelance author of educational books, having had four KS2 English revision books published. Furthermore, she has also been a consultant teacher trainer for a large education company, training teachers on an online learning platform. She is very excited to be part of the Learning Village and Across Cultures team.

Gemma Ross
EAL Specialist
Gemma has worked in the education sector for the past 15 years, accumulating a wealth of experience and knowledge. Prior to joining Across Cultures, Gemma has held numerous EAL leadership roles in the international sector, which commenced at Dwight School, London and culminated in her role as IB Diploma Coordinator, at King's College, The British School of Madrid. During her career, Gemma has co-edited the IATEFL book 'Teaching Children English: From Research to Practice', as well as writing articles for Across Cultures. Gemma is a graduate of the University of York, where she studied a Master's degree in Teaching Children English.

Jane Bryan
EAL Specialist
Jane Bryan is an EAL Specialist at Across Cultures, where she is responsible for demonstrations, training and memberships, as well as content development. Prior to joining Across Cultures, Jane held the position of Lead EAL Specialist, teaching across KS1 and KS2. She has over 14 years’ experience in English Language schools for Primary, Secondary and adult learners, both internationally and in the UK, where her roles have ranged from ESL teacher to Director Of Studies and Projects Director.

Breda Matthews
EAL Specialist
Breda Matthews, MA, B.Ed, Dip TESSOL, is responsible for demonstrations and training in the Australasia region, as well as content development. She is a facilitator and teacher of English language learners and has wide experience and expertise in programme design, teaching and assessing English language learners, resource creation and professional development in New Zealand. Breda has designed and delivered face-to-face and online programmes to English language learners. She is the founder of the English Language Resources Centre in New Zealand.

Miranda Howell
EAL Specialist
Miranda, MEd. BA Hons Trinity Dip TESOL, Mindlab, is responsible for demonstrations and training in the Australasia region, as well as content development. She is an EAL specialist who has taught in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary organisations in the UK, NZ, Malaysia and Oman. She has worked as an academic leader and as a teacher professional development coach. She also has experience across a range of international curricula, including NZCEL, NCEA, PYP, IMYC and Cambridge. Her specific area of interest is blended learning to meet individual student needs in a relevant context.

Christine Hanley
EAL Specialist
Christine, TTC, Dip.Tchg (Primary), BA (Linguistics), PGDip.ELT, is responsible for demonstrations and training in the Australasia region, as well as content development. She is a facilitator and teacher of English language learners who has taught in primary schools and the tertiary sector in New Zealand where she specialised in EAP programmes. She has worked as an academic leader, professional development coach and project director in primary, secondaru and tertiary contexts. Christine has developed and delivered face-to-face and online programmes to English language learners.

Simon Lobo-Morell
Developer
Simon joined the Across Cultures team to work collaboratively in developing our online EAL learning environment, the Learning Village. Simon has over 10 years' experience as a programmer and has a keen interest in languages, having also taught English as a Foreign Language in the past. Simon runs CDU Digital, a website development and digital marketing business.

Beverley Roby
Memberships
Beverley is often the first person you'll speak to if you register on the Learning Village. She'll help with all your initial questions and set you up with your EAL Specialist, who can provide you with initial training and ongoing support. Beverley lives near Manchester with her dog, Poppy, and is the proud mother of Jasmine.

Heidi Niederkofler
Digital communications and content creation
Heidi is responsible for our social media channels, digital communication and all things Marketing. She is also responsible for our content creation and development of the Learning Village. She has a BA in Business and Management and is currently doing a degree in Primary Education. Heidi has worked as a primary English teacher and speaks three languages fluently. She spends most of her free time reading and playing with her dog, Pixie, and two cats, Haku and Miso.

Hannah Dymond
Administrator
Hannah facilitates managing new and existing memberships for the Australasia region. Based in Auckland, NZ, Hannah has a BA in Psychology & Linguistics and has previously worked for several NZ universities, freelanced as a graphic designer and taught English in Spain and South Korea. In her free time she enjoys painting and design.

Alex Turner
Admin assistant
Alex joined the Across Cultures and Learning Village team in November 2020 and is responsible for admin support, as well as creating the images and audio for the Learning Village lesson content. Alex studied illustration at Falmouth UNiversity and works as a freelance illustrator in addition to her work at Across Cultures. She lives in the countryside near Bath (UK), and in her spare time enjoys knitting (badly) and growing her own vegetables.

Jess Jeffrey
Finance
Jess, BA, WSET2, WSET3, UKAWP, works as the finance person for Across Cultures and the Learning Village. She studied Spanish at Cardiff University and spent a year abroad studying and working in Granada and Parma. She has experience teaching English in Spain and tutors Spanish, Italian and French. Jess also works as a Wine Educator with Clifton Wine School and hosts vineyard tours and wine tastings when not working with the team at Across Cultures. She is currently studying for the Spanish Wine Scholar and enjoys spending time outdoors with her gentle giant, Arthur the Irish Wolfhound.

Yzanne Mackay
Editor and Content Writer
Yzanne joined Across Cultures and the Learning Village in 2018. She has worked for over 20 years as a writer and editor and has a wealth of knowledge of the educational sector. Yzanne genuinely enjoys correcting grammar and spelling and loves working out the best ways of communicating: she gets to grips with the nuts and bolts of the Learning Village programmes, tidies everything up, writes articles for us and creates new resources.
Sara Marchetto
Illustrator
Sara does an incredible job of bringing the Learning Village to life! Sara lives in a beautiful, small village in the Italian Alps and loves walking in the mountains and practicing yoga. She started her illustration career by creating a little ugly, but adventurous, comic series about her and her primary school classmates in her first days of school. She started to publish in 2006 and, since then, she's been creating illustrations for textbooks, educational projects and fiction books, collaborating with publishers and public and private clients in Italy and worldwide. www.blog.saramarchetto.com, www.saramamy@hotmail.com
CONTACT US
Tel (UK): +44 (0) 118 335 0035
Tel (New Zealand): 00 64 9 889 8153
Fax: +44 (0) 118 335 0036
Mail: info@axcultures.com
Special thanks to all those who have been part of developing the Learning Village, with particular mention to:
Our Pilot Schools
St John's C or E Primary School, Tower Hamlets, London, UK
Wood End Academy, Ealing, London, UK
Bradford Girls' Grammar School, Bradford, UK
Heidelberg International School, Germany
International School of Milan, Milan, Italy
Lea Forest Academy, Birmingham, UK (went on to become a hub school)
Yew Chung International Primary School, Hong Kong
Academie Ste Cecile International School, Canada
Aston University Engineering Academy, Birmingham, UK
Hylands Primary School, Havering, UK (went on to become a hub school)
Parsonage Farm Primary School, Havering, UK
Kelvin Grove Primary School, Gateshead, UK
St Mark's Primary, Mitcham, London, UK (went on to become a hub school)
Also to the following individuals:
Laura Haines, EAL Coordinator, International School of Milan
Sally Flannagan, Mother Tongue Coordinator, International School of Milan
Terry Haywood, Headmaster, International School of Milan
Vicki Wilson, EAL Team Leader, Yew Chung International Primary School
Norm Dean, Deputy Director, Yew Chung International Primary School
Rachel Parsons, EAL/SEN Teacher, Bradford Girls School
Sharmila Shah, EAL, Bradford Girls School
Amy Tilson, OCT, Academie Ste Cecile International School, Canada
Nick Parkes, English Support Teacher, Heidelberg International School, Germany
Rebecca Richardson, School Leader, Bradford Girls School
Michelle Wain, Ethnic Minority Achievement Adviser, Havering
Sue Crane, LA Consultant, Tower Hamlets Ethnic Minority Acheivement
Ann Cobden, Deputy Head, Wood End Academy
Anne Hayes, Headteacher, Wood End Academy
Jasminder Manku, EAL Teaching Assistant, Wood End Academy
Terry Bennett, Headteacher, St John's C or E Primary School
Angela Vasey, Inclusion Coordinator, St John's C or E Primary School
Hilary Thompson, Headteacher, Lea Forest Academy
Sarah Jones, EAL Coordinator, Lea Forest Academy
Sarah Brown, Head of International Primary Curriculum (IPC)
Coreen Seers, EAL Consultant & Author, Independant
John Regan, Director, TeacheHorizons
Alexis Toye, Director, TeacheHorizons
Tom George, Director, Happy Hour
Owen White, Mentor, Edtech Futures
Adam Sefton, Director, Reading Room
Kim Dolman, Mentor, The Business Inqbator