Dr Simon Coffey
Reader in Languages Education
Research interests
- Languages
Biography
Dr Simon Coffey is an applied linguist and teacher educator at King’s, where he is Subject Director of the PGCE Modern Languages and Deputy Director of the MA Languages & Cultural Diversity.
After teaching English as a foreign language in France, Spain and England, Simon trained to become a secondary school (11-18) teacher of modern languages (French and Spanish), before later moving into teacher education and research.
Simon’s research focuses on learners’ motivations to learn languages, and the social and cultural discourses that shape learner identities, including through the lens of historical research, with a particular focus on learning French in England. The overarching aim of his work is to broaden conceptions of what learning a language can mean, as well of course as to promote enjoyment of language learning.
Research interests
His interests include:
- French teaching in England (current and historical aspects)
- Language learners' autobiographies / life narratives
- Emotional investment in language learning
- Teaching methodology
Teaching
- MA Language and Cultural Diversity
- PGCE Modern Foreign Languages
- BA English Language and Linguistics
- Student dissertation supervision (BA, MA)
- Admissions Tutor PGCE Modern Foreign Languages
- Admissions Tutor MA Language and Cultural Diversity
- ECS Erasmus Coordinator
PhD supervision
Simon is happy to supervise students in the following areas:
- French teaching in England (current and historical aspects)
- Language learners' autobiographies / life narratives
- Emotional investment in language learning / learner motivation
- Teaching methodology (including CLIL, the inter/cultural dimension, approaches to grammar teaching, film in the classroom)
Further information
For further information about his research and publications please visit Simon's Research Staff Profile.
Research
Centre for Language, Discourse & Communication (LDC)
The Centre for Language, Discourse & Communication is a major centre for descriptive linguistics, applied linguistics and language in education.
King’s International Education Research Network
The King’s International Education Research Network explores key areas of international education.
Events
Comparing realities in different contexts of school language learning and teaching: Brazil and England
Hosted by the STEM Education Hub, this event will see experts Simon Coffey and Andrea Machado de Almeida Mattos explore the intricacies of school language...
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
The importance of emotions and creativity in teaching languages
PGCE students in modern foreign languages (MFL) at the School of Education, Communication & Society took part in a two-day interactive workshop designed to...
Research
Centre for Language, Discourse & Communication (LDC)
The Centre for Language, Discourse & Communication is a major centre for descriptive linguistics, applied linguistics and language in education.
King’s International Education Research Network
The King’s International Education Research Network explores key areas of international education.
Events
Comparing realities in different contexts of school language learning and teaching: Brazil and England
Hosted by the STEM Education Hub, this event will see experts Simon Coffey and Andrea Machado de Almeida Mattos explore the intricacies of school language...
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
The importance of emotions and creativity in teaching languages
PGCE students in modern foreign languages (MFL) at the School of Education, Communication & Society took part in a two-day interactive workshop designed to...