Mary Bowen

After graduating from the University of Kent with a degree in French and no definite career in mind, I found a job teaching English at a language school in London. After three years in this 'temporary' post, I decided that some proper teaching qualifications were called for and I returned to university to study for a PGCE specialising in TEFL at the University of Bangor in North Wales.

I have taught English in London, at Pilgrims in Canterbury, in France, in Spain and in the former Yugoslavia, first at the University of Pristina in Kosovo, later at the University of Belgrade and finally at the University of Novi Sad.

When I returned to England, I started writing and editing EFL materials, specialising particularly in books aimed at young learners. My first course to be published was 'Lift Off', a primary school series written with Kurt Söderlund for Ekelunds Förlag, Sweden. Together with Printha Ellis I have written a number of courses for Macmillan: the primary course 'Pyramid', 'Surprise!', a two part course aimed at very young learners and 'Way Ahead', a six part primary course. At present, I am working on 'Lighthouse', another primary series for Ekelunds Förlag.

In addition to writing, I also work as producer of EFL audio material. I work with a recording studio which specialises in children's recordings and songs and music for children.

What I thought of initially as a temporary job has developed into a fascinating and varied career involving teaching, writing, recording, travelling and, of course, meeting all sorts of people from all sorts of places.

Printha Ellis

Printha had a BA (Hons) degree and was also granted an MA in English Literature from Leeds University and an MA in Applied Linguistics from Birmingham University. She taught English as a foreign and second language for many years throughout the world, including Thailand, Libya and France. She was also a teacher trainer in Europe.

In 1992-1993, she was the British Council Summer School writer in residence at Durham University, where the theme was 'Innovations in ELT'. In the course of her writing career, she wrote a number of course and skills books, including Way Ahead, Surprise, a best-selling kindergarten course, Pyramid (all Macmillan), Skill of Reading (Thomas Nelson) and Counterpoint (Thomas Nelson).

Louis Fidge

Louis is the author of the Primary Foundation Skills Series, a six-level supplementary skills course for primary schools, covering reading and writing. He is also an author on the new Macmillan English primary course, and the Macmillan English Explorers series.

Watch Louis' talk on Macmillan English and the Explorers.

Liz Hocking

Information about Liz is coming soon.

Wendy Wren

Wendy Wren's biography is forthcoming.