English Language Teachers

Whatever your current level of English, our dedicated teaching staff can help you reach your language learning goals.

Our experienced English language teachers cover language improvement in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Classroom activities are interactive and structured around topical themes to keep language development relevant and interesting. English language support is offered in a small group (up to 12 students) and one-to-one study with a personal tutor.

Felix King

After becoming a teacher in 2014, Felix has been teaching English as a Foreign Language in Chile and the UK to students of all ages, levels and backgrounds. They first arrived at St. Clare’s in 2022 to work a summer, liked it, and have been here ever since teaching primarily adults down at the IC. When not in the classroom, they’re a trained and passionate cook, tea drinker, music lover and collector of second hand books.

Ian Polychronakis

Ian is an Oxford University (DPhil & MSt) and London University (MMus) graduate, who has been teaching English since 2016 in various countries, including China, Czechia, and the UK. After teaching for several years at St Hugh’s and Exeter College of Oxford University, Ian achieved the status of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Ian is also a classically-trained pianist and musicologist. When not teaching English and music, he enjoys attending concerts, travelling, and playing with his two adorable cats.

Julia Gutierrez

Julia has taught EFL since 1998 in Uganda, Australia, China, and Europe. She currently teaches English for Exams and has also taught on the University Foundation Programme and teacher development at St Clare’s. Early in her career, she volunteered in rural Uganda and later became Head of Foreign Teachers at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Middle School in China. Julia holds the Trinity Diploma TESOL and is a Trinity-approved Teacher Trainer. She has worked in management for schools in the UK and has been an author/editor for Oxford University Press’s ELT Division since 2012.

Keith Ibsen

Keith Ibsen is currently the Programme coordinator of the University Foundation course and Director of Studies of the English language courses. He has been teaching since 1996 and taught in many schools and colleges in Spain and Japan before joining St Clare’s in 2014. He studied Modern Languages at the University of Westminster, which included a year studying in Mexico. As well as teaching he has worked as a restaurant manager, waiter, barman and lifeguard. Since returning to his hometown of Oxford and arriving at St Clare’s he has completed his DELTA certification. He is a keen traveller who has spent time in several countries over five continents. He is also interested in accents and languages, and as well as English he speaks Spanish and Japanese. In his spare time he plays too many board games, watches too many movies and drinks too much coffee.

Ricky Needham

Ricky finished his bachelor’s degree in English and Education Studies in 2011 and immediately went on to do a TESOL qualification in Granada, Spain, where he taught for the following 3 years in a language academy. Following that he taught in Paris, Thessaloniki and finally in a university in Puebla, Mexico.
For the past 7 years Ricky has worked at St Clare’s International College not only as an EFL teacher but also as full-time activities coordinator, bringing his classroom experience to help enrich students’ time in the UK. He organises weekly excursions, hosts charity events, and works with the local community to help St Clare’s students benefit from the amazing opportunities that Oxford has to offer. Ricky recently became a qualified FA football coach and works with both the girls’ and boys’ teams at St Clare’s.
In his free time Ricky loves playing music and seeing local artists and often encourages students to pick up an instrument or go out and see local performers.