John Cheetham, the President of the Cooperative, is a very experienced educator who applies a wide variety of professional and teaching experiences to his pedagogical approach. Originally from Sydney, Australia, John obtained an Honours degree in History and English from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in Australia. Upon leaving the Army, he took on a variety of employments, including National Chairperson of the federal Community Youth Support Schemes, manager of a sheep and cattle farm, professional shrimp fishing, horse breaking and training,, and as a National Parks Interpretation Officer. In 1985 he completed a post graduate degree in education (history and English), and following a couple of years teaching in Australia and England, worked as an Education and Interpretation Officer for the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Historic Houses Trust. Between 1989 and 2000 he pursued doctoral studies at the University of New South Wales, and commenced researching and teaching at the tertiary level, receiving a Commonwealth Post-graduate Scholarship.
After moving permanently to Québec in 2000, he began ESL teaching to a wide variety of clients, including law firms, government departments, large and medium size manufacturing companies, and individuals, all of whom have benefited greatly from his diverse and sophisticated career and educational background. His commitment to pedagogical excellence and employment equity saw him encourage the establishment of the Coopérative Linguistique du Québec, which is quickly becoming the benchmark for successful ESL teaching services in Québec.
Telephone: (418) 849-0236
Email: john@cooplinguistique.com
David Ballam, vice president of the Coop, combines 10 years of experience in economic development with four years as an ESL instructor. This professional and pedagogical experience has given Mr. Ballam the pedagogical skills necessary for the job, along with an understanding of the unique needs of business professionals. Mr. Ballam’s educational background includes degrees in Economics, Urban Planning, and training in Mediation and Dispute Resolution. Beyond these pursuits, Mr. Ballam also carries a love for outdoor activities including golf, backpacking, sprint canoe racing and skiing. These diverse interests allow Mr. Ballam to bring a dynamism to the teaching environment that is well received by students.
Telephone: (418) 254-6778
Email: david@cooplinguistique.com
Patrick McSweeney, secretary of the Coop, practised law in Ireland from 1993 to 2001, with a brief period in Australia in 2000. In 2003, he completed a stage with a leading Canadian law firm. He holds degrees in law from the National University of Ireland, (B.C.L.) and Université Laval (L.L.B.). He has 5 years experience as a translator. His bilingualism (English/French), coupled with his bijural background (Common Law/Civil Law) permit him to specialize in translating legal documents from French to English. In addition to his professional activities, Mr. McSweeney is a traditional music enthusiast.
Telephone: (418) 554-8957
Email: patrick@cooplinguistique.com
