Over the course of his academic career, Mr. Smithies has taught primarily in the Middle East and Gulf Region. His vast experience includes positions at educational institutions such as King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia; Oman Technical and Industrial College, Oman; Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance; and the University of Bahrain, among others.
In addition to teaching ESL, Mr. Smithies’ academic expertise includes teaching English for Specific and Academic Purposes. He has extensive experience in assessment, serving as an examiner for the Cambridge English language exams, and as a speaking and writing examiner for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). He has delivered preparation courses for IELTS and the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), while also conducting workshops and short courses on English language, and soft skills to local companies and communities. His interests include blended learning, and his recognition as a 21st-century Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) demonstrates his value as a resource for student achievement and academic excellence.
