Lecturer Dr Harry Kuchah Kuchah has been elected President of the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL).

IATEFL is one of the world’s largest communities of English language teachers. The organisation has over 4,000 members, 121 local and national associates around the globe, and an annual conference regularly attended by over 2,000 delegates.

Harry is a member of the Language and Educational Practices (LEP) Research Cluster in the Department of Education and a Lecturer in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with particular expertise in English Language Teaching for Young Learners. He is Co-editor of the IATEFL Research Special interest Group Newsletter (ELT Research) and a committee member of the Teaching English in Large Classes Research Network (TELCNet). Harry was also a member of the Select Committee for the TESOL International Association Summit on the future of the English language teaching profession. In 2017, he received the prestigious ’30 Up and Coming’ recognition by TESOL International Association, for his research, teaching and leadership in English language teaching and teacher education.

Reflecting on Harry’s appointment, the current President of IATEFL Margit Szesztay said: "In the history of our association, this is the first time that someone will be bringing a non-European perspective into our top leadership. I think this is an exciting development that will help us to strengthen the 'I' in IATEFL."

Dr Trevor Grimshaw, leader of the LEP Research Cluster, added: "Harry’s appointment is an excellent example of external professional networking and testimony to his leadership qualities. These are in addition to the high quality research and exceptional teaching expertise that Harry contributes to the University of Bath."

Starting April 2018, Harry will serve as Vice President of IATEFL for a year, before assuming the role of President for a further two years.