SLB MEMBERS
A cooperative is only as good as its socios
Meet some of SLB’s Key Members
Neil McMillan
Founding Member (ex-President)
Neil McMillan is a teacher educator and materials specialist with extensive experience in Task Based Language Teaching and classroom innovation.
He has worked across a range of international contexts, supporting teachers in developing practical, classroom-ready TBLT materials and refining task sequencing to maximise learner engagement and communicative outcomes.
At SLB, Neil contributes to teacher training, materials development, and the practical implementation of TBLT principles. His work ensures that theoretical frameworks translate into sustainable classroom practice.
His expertise supports SLB’s Erasmus+ training and mobility programmes, particularly in designing professional development courses that combine methodological rigour with hands-on applicability.
He has worked across a range of international contexts, supporting teachers in developing practical, classroom-ready TBLT materials and refining task sequencing to maximise learner engagement and communicative outcomes.
At SLB, Neil contributes to teacher training, materials development, and the practical implementation of TBLT principles. His work ensures that theoretical frameworks translate into sustainable classroom practice.
His expertise supports SLB’s Erasmus+ training and mobility programmes, particularly in designing professional development courses that combine methodological rigour with hands-on applicability.
Alan Ritchie
Founding Member & President
Alan Ritchie is President of SLB, teacher educator, and specialist in Task Based Language Teaching, Business English, and English for Academic Purposes.
As a CELTA Course Director and teacher trainer, he has supported the development of hundreds of language teachers. His professional focus lies in designing research-informed, needs-driven language programmes that integrate TBLT principles into real educational and corporate contexts.
Alan leads SLB’s strategic development, Erasmus+ partnerships, and international training initiatives. He oversees course design, quality assurance, and project coordination, ensuring that innovation is aligned with cooperative values and measurable learning impact.
His work connects applied linguistics research, teacher education, and European project development, positioning SLB as a forward-looking cooperative specialising in evidence-based TBLT implementation.
As a CELTA Course Director and teacher trainer, he has supported the development of hundreds of language teachers. His professional focus lies in designing research-informed, needs-driven language programmes that integrate TBLT principles into real educational and corporate contexts.
Alan leads SLB’s strategic development, Erasmus+ partnerships, and international training initiatives. He oversees course design, quality assurance, and project coordination, ensuring that innovation is aligned with cooperative values and measurable learning impact.
His work connects applied linguistics research, teacher education, and European project development, positioning SLB as a forward-looking cooperative specialising in evidence-based TBLT implementation.
Geoff Jordan
SLB Member
Geoff Jordan is an applied linguist and long-standing advocate of principled Task Based Language Teaching. He has written extensively on syllabus design, course structure, and the theoretical foundations of TBLT.
With decades of experience in language education, Geoff brings a critical and analytical perspective to curriculum development. His work emphasises coherence between learning theory, task design, and assessment practices.
At SLB, Geoff supports the conceptual framing of TBLT-based programmes, helping ensure that innovation is pedagogically robust and clearly articulated. His expertise is particularly valuable in Erasmus+ contexts where methodological clarity, impact, and transferability are key evaluation criteria.
His contribution strengthens SLB’s positioning as a cooperative grounded in both research and reflective practice.
With decades of experience in language education, Geoff brings a critical and analytical perspective to curriculum development. His work emphasises coherence between learning theory, task design, and assessment practices.
At SLB, Geoff supports the conceptual framing of TBLT-based programmes, helping ensure that innovation is pedagogically robust and clearly articulated. His expertise is particularly valuable in Erasmus+ contexts where methodological clarity, impact, and transferability are key evaluation criteria.
His contribution strengthens SLB’s positioning as a cooperative grounded in both research and reflective practice.
Roger Gilabert
SLB Member
Roger Gilabert is a leading researcher in Task Based Language Teaching and second language performance at the University of Barcelona. His work focuses on needs analysis, task complexity, and the cognitive processes underlying L2 production.
He has coordinated and contributed to numerous international research projects and regularly collaborates with institutions across Europe on curriculum innovation and teacher education. His research bridges theory and classroom practice, ensuring that task design is grounded in empirical evidence.
Within SLB, Roger provides academic oversight on needs analysis, task sequencing, and research-informed materials development. His involvement strengthens the cooperative’s commitment to evidence-based TBLT and ensures alignment between pedagogical innovation and current applied linguistics research.
His contribution to Erasmus+ initiatives reinforces SLB’s capacity to deliver projects with both academic depth and measurable classroom impact.
He has coordinated and contributed to numerous international research projects and regularly collaborates with institutions across Europe on curriculum innovation and teacher education. His research bridges theory and classroom practice, ensuring that task design is grounded in empirical evidence.
Within SLB, Roger provides academic oversight on needs analysis, task sequencing, and research-informed materials development. His involvement strengthens the cooperative’s commitment to evidence-based TBLT and ensures alignment between pedagogical innovation and current applied linguistics research.
His contribution to Erasmus+ initiatives reinforces SLB’s capacity to deliver projects with both academic depth and measurable classroom impact.
