G'day, my name is Marc Hampton, and welcome to Brushing Up On English. I am a true-blue Australian who was born and raised on the east coast of Australia. However, before I talk too much about myself, how about we play a fun language game? I have already mentioned two examples of Australian slang (the informal language of a particular group of people), "G'day" for "hello" and "true-blue" for "genuine". I will continue to use more slang words (highlighted green). It is your job to guess what they mean. To see the answer, click on the green slang word.
So, back to my yarn (an exciting or interesting story, usually a long one). I am an Aussie (a person from Australia) who lives with the missus (wife) and ankle-biter (child) in both Australia and Vietnam. I have two bachelor's degrees, one in Chemistry and another in Chemical Engineering. I also have a PhD in Chemical Engineering. I work hard, I work smart, and I'm no bludger (a person who appears to live off the efforts of others, a lazy or idle person).
After my PhD, I worked in the Australian university sector as an academic researcher and laboratory technician for ten years. During this period, I spent heaps (a large amount) of time teaching and supervising students from different language backgrounds. I have taught in the classical classroom environment (lectures and tutorials), but most of my teaching has been in the laboratory with one-on-one teaching on advanced scientific instrumentation. I have also spent yonks (a very long time) sprucing up (to make something or someone look cleaner, tidier, or more attractive) journal articles and dissertations of non-native English-speaking students.
After almost twenty years in the university sector as a student and employee, I decided on a career change. But first, an overdue gap year (a year between leaving school and starting university or a career to travel or work overseas). I ventured through Europe, Australia, and Asia with a particular focus on hiking.
Wishing to combine my love of teaching, different cultures, and travelling, I started Brushing Up On to teach English online. I am currently looking for new students and would love to give you a hand (to help) in mastering Australian English.
Education and Academic Background:
- I am a native English speaker with a 100-hour TESOL certification.
- PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Queensland.
- Bachelor of Engineering (chemical) and Bachelor of Science (chemistry) from the University of Newcastle.
- I spent fifteen years in the Australian university sector as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and then as a Senior Laboratory Technician.
- I have authored thirty-one peer-reviewed journal articles, one PhD thesis, one book chapter, many operating manuals, and countless safety documents. Additionally, I have edited many journal articles and dissertations.
