Staff Profiles
Military Communications Program
Melinda Grose, Manager, MCP
Melinda Grose, BA (Sydney), DELTA (Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults) (Cambridge) CELTA (Cambridge), Certificate in Adult Education in Training (UTS), MBA (UTS) (current) was appointed to the position of Manager of the Military Communication Program in January 2002, shortly after the tender was won by University College. Immediately prior to this, Melinda was the Director of Studies at Insearch Education, University of Technology, Sydney.
Melinda has extensive experience in the design, development, delivery and management of language, literacy and communication for a variety of client groups, including:
- Aviation English for Vietnamese pilots and cabin crew (VNAI);
- Academic English and Tertiary Orientation programs for (undergraduate and postgraduate) overseas students enrolled at UTS;
- English for Work/Engineering/Nurses including jobseeker placement and support for Migrants (DETYA);
- Teacher Training for Japanese and Chinese teachers of English;
- General, Business, Academic and High School English courses for overseas students (various ELICOS centres);
- First Certificate and Proficiency Certificate English language exams (University of Cambridge)
- Academic English, leading to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS);
- Teacher training, leading to the Certificate and Diploma in English Language Teaching for Adults (CELTA and DELTA – University of Cambridge).
Melinda also has significant experience in educational administration and testing. She has development and documented courses for accreditation by the National ELICOS Accreditation Scheme (NEAS) and VETAB. In the area of testing; has experience as an IELTS examiner and has administered tasks for the Australian Second Language Proficiency Rating (ASLPR).
Melinda has overall responsibility for the program, providing policy control and direction for each phase of its implementation and for its on-going development.
Elizabeth Grant, Coordinator, MCP
Liz Grant, BA (Modern Languages) University of Canberra, Grad Dip (TESOL) University of Canberra, MA (TESOL) University of Canberra, was appointed to the position of Coordinator in February 2002. Before coming to ADFA, she taught general English and English for specific purposes at ANUTECH, University of Canberra and CIT.
Liz has also had overseas teaching experience in Seoul, and more recently in Shanghai, where she taught business, academic and IELTS preparation to first, second and third year students at the University of Shanghai. In Shanghai, she also managed and taught programs on English for Chinese doctors, lawyers and engineers.
Liz has travelled extensively throughout Asia and Europe, is fluent in French and German, and has a good working knowledge of Italian, Dutch and Spanish. She was employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs for 24 years and served in the then East Berlin, Beijing, The Hague and Bonn.
Liz is the first point of contact for individual tutors and students. She monitors, recognises and interprets cadets’ performance, and provides counselling on their written and oral communication skills. She also teaches first, second and third year cadets and conducts specifically tailored ESL classes for cadets from a non-native English speaking background.
Gina Howarth, Administrator, MCP
Gina Howarth is the School Administrator of the Military Communication Program. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Archaeology from the Australian National University,
Gina has worked as an Administrator in various companies over the past nine years including the Canberra Institute of Technology.
Gina joined the Military Communication Program team at the Australian Defence Force Academy in November 1997. She is responsible for handling administrative services including timetabling, registers, student records, the reproduction of training support materials and keeping assessment records. Gina also provides support to tutors.
Summary of Tutor Qualifications & Experience
| Name | Qualifications | Experience |
| Patricia Fowler | B.A. (Hons.) English Literature; B.A. in Teaching ESL; Grad. Dip TESOL | Canberra Institute of Technology (Advanced Skills ESL teacher – 23 years); Assessor for IELTS, NOOSR, ACCESS (English language proficiency tests) |
| Robin Letts | Bachelor of Asian Studies; Joint Services Staff College;Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Britain | ADFA (Teacher, Equity and Diversity); CIT (Tutor in Presenting Reports and Team Building Communication); Tallong Wilderness Centre (Director); Army Officer (1959 – 89) |
| Pat Wenger | B.A. Dip Ed (English as a Second Language and Teaching in Developing Countries (UCAN) | Secondary Teaching; CIT (TESOL Teacher and Head of Department – On Arrival and International Students) |
| Shannon van Puyvelde | BA; Dip. Ed | ESL, Japanese and Special Education Teacher; Japanese translator. |
| Faye Leader | ||
| Sharon Bidder | ||
| Maureen Boyle | ||
| Bryan Colebourne | ||
| Fiona Meuller | BA; Dip Ed; M. Ed; Ph. D (in progress) | Senior Curriculum Officer (UNSW Board of Studies); Head of Languages (secondary); English, Italian and German languages; RAAF reservist. |