My main area of research is second language acquisition, though I also have expertise in general linguistics and research methods. I teach general linguistics, and cultural and linguistic diversity, in the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) program at the University of Southern Queensland. I also teach English to asylum seekers on a voluntary basis. In addition to my academic qualifications, I have a professional qualification in teaching English to adult speakers of other languages. Before going into higher education, I worked as an English language instructor in Japan and Australia, and as an IELTS examiner. I have gained first-hand experience of cultural and linguistic diversity through living in four countries: Sri Lanka, Scotland, Japan and Australia.