Biography of the training consultant

James Choles

www.britishcouncil.lk

Qualifications

Cambridge Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Delta) – Modules 1&2

Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA)

MA English Literature, University of Sussex

BA English and Philosophy, University of Kent

Profile James graduated with First Class Honours in English and Philosophy from the University of Kent in 2001. After

that he spent five years working for Lloyds Bank in the UK, including a year as a department trainer and mentor.

In 2007 he moved to Hangzhou, China and took up the post of Corporate Language Trainer. While in China he

taught a very wide range of business English and soft-skills courses, including Presentations, Email-writing and

Hotel English, and gained important insights into many key business sectors. After three years James was

promoted to Senior Teacher and became responsible for the design and delivery of all new courses offered

by his team, something that increased his awareness of customising products to meet clients’ needs. In 2011

he was promoted again, this time to Director of Studies, and gained invaluable management experience.

James joined the British Council in Sri Lanka in early 2014 to begin the next phase of his international training

career. He loves being in the training room and helping his students to improve their communication skills and

confidence. As someone who has worked for a large bank in the UK he is also keenly aware of the high

expectations and pressures that employees face.

When not studying to complete his Diploma qualification in teaching English, James enjoys travelling,

watching films, cycling and trying new kinds of food and wine.

International training experience: UK, China, Sri Lanka

Previous clients include: Alibaba, Aman Resorts, BP-Sinopec, Bosch, China Development Bank, China

Engineering, Four Seasons, GSK, Nokia-Siemens Networks, Schindler, State Street.