Rachael FiondaNILE Consultant Trainer

Rachael has been in the ELT field for more than two decades, since graduating from Leeds University with a BA (Hons) in Linguistics and Italian. She started out teaching Business English in Germany then pursued teaching in varying contexts and countries, from Young Learners and General English in Italy to lecturing in pedagogy in Austria. Rachael then ended up in Ireland and originally focused on teaching EAL.

Rachael has an MPhil in Applied Linguistics from Innsbruck University and a PhD (Applied Linguistics) from Trinity College, Dublin. She spent five years as Director of Studies for a busy language school, gaining EAQUALS accreditation, before moving on to direct the MA TESOL at University College, Dublin. Rachael then undertook a five-year tenure as Director of the Applied Language Centre, UCD.

During her career Rachael has specialised in areas of Applied Linguistics and Leadership. She has taught and researched general linguistics, bilingualism, multilingualism, SLA, language pedagogy, policy and planning, teacher training and TESOL.

In her free time Rachael loves spending time with her family, hiking, crochet, food, reading and music.