Hi, I’m
Katarzyna Anna Kusy
Lecturer
Abu Dhabi
Summary
Experienced higher‑education English and Academic Skills faculty member with over 15 years of teaching, leadership, and curriculum development experience in the UAE, GCC, UK, and Europe. Proven expertise in Academic English (EAP), assessment and feedback, faculty coordination, and professional development within accredited university settings. Recognized for strengthening student academic performance, supporting faculty development, and contributing to institutional quality and innovation initiatives.
Overview
23
years of professional experience
2
Languages
Work History
Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)Abu Dhabi
English Communication Instructor
08.2022 - Current
Job overview
- Teach Academic English and communication courses to undergraduate students across diverse disciplines.
- Design assessments aligned with learning outcomes and institutional standards.
- Provide targeted academic support to first‑year and at‑risk students to improve progression and retention. Run between 2-4 weekly sessions in Academic Success Center where students were receiving academic and linguistic assistance to prepare for exams.
- Implemented project-based learning initiatives in 2012 that encouraged collaboration among students while strengthening their communication abilities.
- Collaborated with 10-20 colleagues to share best practices, leading to a more cohesive and effective learning environment.
- Developed comprehensive curriculum plans for effective lesson execution, resulting in improved student understanding and engagement.
Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
Lecturer – Research Methods & Professional Communication
01.2022 - 07.2022
Job overview
- Delivered research and professional communication modules focusing on academic writing, presentation skills, and critical thinking.
- Guided students through research‑based tasks and scaffolded academic literacy development.
Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)Abu Dhabi
English Communications Team Leader
01.2014 - 01.2021
Job overview
- Led and supported a team of 5–10 faculty members across Academic English courses.
- Coordinated course delivery, assessment practices, and standardization meetings.
- Developed course materials and contributed to curriculum review and enhancement.
- Mentored faculty and supported new instructors through peer guidance and informal observations.
Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)Abu Dhabi
IPad Implementation Fellow
01.2011 - 01.2013
Job overview
- Led departmental technology integration initiatives across two campuses during iCelebrate Events in 2012.
- Piloted blended learning projects and implemented iPortfolios.
- Delivered professional development workshops for faculty across HCT.
- Published quarterly iPad Newsletter
- Applied innovative teaching methods to encourage student learning objectives.
Discovery Summer / British Council‑Accredited SchoolsRadley College
EFL Instructor (Summer Programmes) and ADOS
01.2006 - 01.2013
Job overview
- Promoted active participation from multinational students by utilizing group work, peer review, and interactive activities.
- Developed specialized curriculum for advanced learners, challenging them to excel in their English language skills.
- Collaborated with other instructors to design innovative lesson plans and share best teaching practices.
- Improved student language proficiency by incorporating diverse teaching methods and materials into daily lessons - integrating media such as film and music to support students’ language acquisition
- Fostered a supportive classroom environment, offering one-on-one assistance during office hours and after class sessions.
- Employed diverse teaching approaches to help students of all abilities understand material.
- Facilitated a weekly summer camp newsletter with multinational team of students to promote their content writing, editing and proofreading as well as poetry skills
King Saud UniversityRiyadh
IELTS Team Leader
01.2010 - 01.2011
Job overview
- Taught IELTS and Academic English to 60 Medical and Science college students.
- Designed and delivered 4 IELTS and classroom management workshops for faculty.
- Set performance expectations for the team, monitoring progress towards goals and providing constructive feedback as needed.
- Empowered a team of 15 members by delegating responsibilities according to individual strengths and areas of expertise.
- Managed conflict resolution among team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Established open and professional relationships with team members to achieve quick resolutions for various issues.
King Saud UniversityRiyad
Curriculum Coordinator Assistant
01.2009 - 01.2010
Job overview
- Supported curriculum development and review for foundation programmes.
- Led and coordinated a team of 12 instructors.
- Delivered professional development sessions focused on student‑centred teaching.
Radley College
Assistant Director of Studies (Summer Programmes)
01.2009 - 01.2010
Job overview
- Conducted classroom observations and supported teacher development.
- Assisted with academic and operational management of summer programmes.
King Saud University
EAP Team Leader
01.2008 - 01.2009
Job overview
- Coordinated EAP programme delivery and assessment practices.
- Supported 15 faculty through training and mentoring initiatives.
YES Language SchoolRzeszow
EFL Instructor
01.2003 - 01.2005
Job overview
- Taught ESL to young learners and secondary-school students, delivering age-appropriate lessons focused on language development, communication skills, and learner engagement.
- Facilitated the monthly school newsletter, coordinating student contributions, editing content, and supporting written communication across the school community.
- Designed and delivered engaging, inclusive lessons for students with ADHD, using differentiated instruction, interactive activities, and multi-sensory learning strategies.
- Served as the newcomer integration lead, supporting newly arrived students and families by facilitating cultural orientation and easing their transition into Polish culture and society.
Education
University of GreenwichLondon, UK
MA from Management of Language Learning
01.2007
Maria Curie‑Skłodowska UniversityLublin, Poland
BA from Teaching English as a Second Language
01.2003
Skills
LMS platform expertise
Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Integration of learning technologies
iPad-based education
Training delivery
Effective cross-cultural communication
Team interaction analysis
Performance assessment
Effective nonverbal communication
Focused listening ability
References
Available upon request
Core Expertise
- Academic English (EAP) & Academic Skills
- Curriculum design & course coordination
- Assessment design, moderation & feedback
- Faculty mentoring & professional development
- Student support, engagement & retention
- Quality assurance & academic standards
- Blended & technology‑enhanced learning
Academic And Teaching Experience
- Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, English Communication Instructor, 2022-08-01, Present, Teach Academic English and communication courses to undergraduate students across diverse disciplines., Design assessments aligned with learning outcomes and institutional standards., Provide targeted academic support to first‑year and at‑risk students to improve progression and retention., Lecturer – Research Methods & Professional Communication, 2022-01-01, 2022-07-31, Delivered research and professional communication modules focusing on academic writing, presentation skills, and critical thinking., Guided students through research‑based tasks and scaffolded academic literacy development., English Communications Team Leader, 2014-01-01, 2021-12-31, Led and supported a team of 5–10 faculty members across Academic English courses., Coordinated course delivery, assessment practices, and standardisation meetings., Developed course materials and contributed to curriculum review and enhancement., Mentored faculty and supported new instructors through peer guidance and informal observations., iPad Implementation Fellow, 2011-01-01, 2013-12-31, Led departmental technology integration initiatives across two campuses., Piloted blended learning projects and implemented iPortfolios., Delivered professional development workshops for faculty across HCT.
- King Saud University, Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, IELTS Team Leader, 2010-01-01, 2011-12-31, Taught IELTS and Academic English to Medical and Science college students., Designed and delivered IELTS and classroom management workshops for faculty., Curriculum Coordinator Assistant, 2009-01-01, 2010-12-31, Supported curriculum development and review for foundation programmes., Led and coordinated a team of 12 instructors., Delivered professional development sessions focused on student‑centred teaching., EAP Team Leader, 2008-01-01, 2009-12-31, Coordinated EAP programme delivery and assessment practices., Supported faculty through training and mentoring initiatives.
- Radley College, UK, UK, United Kingdom, Assistant Director of Studies (Summer Programmes), 2009-01-01, 2010-12-31, Conducted classroom observations and supported teacher development., Assisted with academic and operational management of summer programmes.
- Discovery Summer / British Council‑Accredited Schools, UK, UK, United Kingdom, EFL Instructor (Summer Programmes), 2006-01-01, 2013-12-31
- YES Language School, Rzeszów, Poland, Rzeszów, Podkarpackie, Poland, EFL Instructor, 2003-01-01, 2005-12-31
Professional Development And Scholarship
Faculty professional development workshop delivery (assessment, classroom management, technology‑enhanced learning), Socratic Dialogue and Critical Thinking in Language Teaching, TESOL Arabia Conference, Dubai, 2014-01-01, Teaching IELTS Vocabulary through iPads, TESOL Arabia International Conference, Dubai, 2013-01-01, iPads in Language Teaching, iCelebrate UAE National E‑Learning Conference, Abu Dhabi, 2012-01-01
Professional Interests
- Academic literacy and student success
- Cross‑cultural communication
- Psycholinguistics
- Higher‑education pedagogy and innovation
Timeline
English Communication Instructor
Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
08.2022 - Current
Lecturer – Research Methods & Professional Communication
Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
01.2022 - 07.2022
English Communications Team Leader
Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
01.2014 - 01.2021
IPad Implementation Fellow
Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
01.2011 - 01.2013
IELTS Team Leader
King Saud University
01.2010 - 01.2011
Curriculum Coordinator Assistant
King Saud University
01.2009 - 01.2010
Assistant Director of Studies (Summer Programmes)
Radley College
01.2009 - 01.2010
EAP Team Leader
King Saud University
01.2008 - 01.2009
EFL Instructor (Summer Programmes) and ADOS
Discovery Summer / British Council‑Accredited Schools
01.2006 - 01.2013
EFL Instructor
YES Language School
01.2003 - 01.2005
Maria Curie‑Skłodowska University
BA from Teaching English as a Second Language
University of Greenwich
MA from Management of Language Learning