Laura Edwards elt
Laura Edwards | TESOL Research & Practice
Laura Edwards
Doctoral student of TESOL creating practical resources for freelance English language teachers
Background: I have an M.Ed in Leadership and Management from the Open University and an MA in Technology, Education and Learning from the University of Leeds.Career: I am an experienced freelance English language professional specialising in language teaching, test development, and digital learning. Beyond the classroom, I create language tests and online learning materials. My work includes developing assessments, courses, and resources for educational organisations; designing and authoring content for language testing apps; and contributing to language learning text books and digital materials.
My Research
A long-term freelance ELT professional based in Germany, I'm currently completing a Doctor of Professional Practice in TESOL at the University of St Andrews, researching professional development, teacher identity and sustainable practices in casualised and freelance language education. My work bridges academic research with practical tools for teachers navigating the complexities of self-employment.Over the past 5 years, in my role as events coordinator for an English language teachers association, I've had the chance to connect with hundreds of freelance language teachers across Germany, and have heard stories of challenges with pricing, boundaries, client management, and professional sustainability. Challenges that I too have faced as a freelance ELT professional. Yet, when looking at research on teachers, I found very little that spoke to our experiences.My research examines how freelance and other precarious forms of employment affect English language teachers’ professional identities and development. I am particularly interested in how working under flexible and often unstable conditions shapes teachers’ sense of professional belonging, their self-identification and their engagement with continuous learning. My long-term goal is to create evidence-based resources that actually help teachers build thriving, sustainable practices.When I'm not researching, I'm speaking at conferences, running workshops for teacher associations, and teaching Business English in higher education and corporate settings.
Beyond the classroom:
Redefining Identity and Professional Growth in Freelance ELT
About the BookFreelance language teaching presents distinct professional challenges: establishing a professional identity without institutional anchors, determining sustainable rates in fragmented markets, and building long-term careers in precarious conditions. This book draws on interviews with sixteen freelance English teachers to explore why these challenges are structurally difficult and how they are navigated in practice.What's InsideEach chapter examines a key challenge through both academic insight and lived experience, drawing on concepts such as liminality, planned happenstance, and glocal positioning as frameworks for understanding professional reality.- 9 research-informed chapters covering identity, chance and opportunity, positioning, pricing, visibility, community, wellbeing, professional development, and self-appraisal
- 30+ practical tools including assessments, frameworks, scripts, and planning worksheets
- Accounts from practising teachers navigating precarious conditionsWho This Is For - Freelance language teachers seeking research-grounded insights, strategic tools, and sustainable approaches to independent practice.Currently free as part of my doctoral research at the University of St Andrews.
Available until December 2026.
Speaking & Research
I present at conferences and workshops internationally, sharing insights from my research on freelance language teaching, teacher sustainability, and professional development.Recent and Upcoming eventsHELTA 2026 | Hamburg, Germany (28 March)
Navigating the In-Between: Freelance Teacher IdentityELTAF Webinar | Online (28 February)
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Time-saving tips for teachersIATEFL BESig 2025 | Athens, Greece
Navigating the In-Between
Pharetra enim
Get in touch
Have you read the book?
I would welcome your reflections and comments. Your feedback contributes to my doctoral research and helps ensure that future resources are as relevant and useful as possible.If you are interested in collaborating or discussing the research, please do get in touch.
© Untitled. All rights reserved.
Thank you
This work exists because sixteen freelance English language teachers in Germany shared their experiences openly and honestly. To them, to the ELTA Rhine community, and to every freelance teacher navigating these challenges: thank you.
Terms and ConditionsThese Terms and Conditions govern the purchase and use of digital products available through this website, operated by Laura Edwards (trading as Laura Edwards ELT), based in Germany. By downloading or purchasing any product from this site, you agree to the following terms.1. Products
This website offers digital products, including an ebook entitled Becoming a Freelance ELT Professional: Navigating Identity, Business, and Professional Growth (referred to hereafter as “the Product”). The Product is delivered in PDF format following purchase or registration.2. Pricing and Payment
All prices are displayed in Euros (€) and are inclusive of any applicable taxes. Payment is processed securely through Lemon Squeezy. Laura Edwards ELT does not store payment card details.
The Product is currently offered free of charge during an initial promotional period. Following this period, the standard price will be €9.49. Any change in pricing will be communicated clearly on the website prior to taking effect.3. Delivery
Digital products are delivered electronically. Upon successful purchase or registration, you will receive a download link by email. If you do not receive your download link within 24 hours, please contact [email protected].4. Refund Policy
As this is a digital product, refunds are not routinely offered once the file has been downloaded. If you experience a technical problem with your download, please contact [email protected] within 14 days of purchase and the matter will be resolved promptly. This does not affect any statutory rights you may have under applicable consumer protection law.5. Intellectual Property
All content within the Product, including text, tools, worksheets, and research, is the intellectual property of Laura Edwards and is protected by copyright. The Product is licensed for personal and professional use by the individual purchaser only.
You may not reproduce, distribute, resell, or share the Product, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of Laura Edwards. This includes sharing via email, file-sharing platforms, or institutional networks.6. Permitted Use
The Product is intended for use by individual freelance English language teaching professionals for the purposes of professional reflection and development. You may:
• Print a copy for personal use
• Use the tools and worksheets contained within the Product in your own professional practice
You may not:
• Use the Product for commercial training or group facilitation without prior written permission
• Adapt or republish any part of the Product without prior written permission7. Disclaimer
The information contained in the Product is based on original research and is offered in good faith for professional development purposes. It does not constitute legal, financial, or employment advice. Laura Edwards accepts no liability for decisions made on the basis of the Product’s content.8. Privacy
Any personal data collected through this website (such as your email address when registering for a free download) is used solely for the purpose of delivering the Product and relevant updates. Your data will not be shared with third parties. For further information, please contact [email protected].9. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. Any disputes arising from the purchase or use of this Product shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the German courts.10. Contact
For any queries relating to these Terms and Conditions, please contact:Laura Edwards
[email protected]
lauraedwardselt.comLast updated: March 2026
Privacy PolicyThis Privacy Policy explains how Laura Edwards (trading as Laura Edwards ELT) collects, uses, and protects personal data in connection with this website and its associated digital products. As someone based in Germany operating within the European Union, this policy is written in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact [email protected].1. Who is Responsible for Your Data?
The data controller is:Laura Edwards
Germany
[email protected]
lauraedwardselt.com2. What Data is Collected and Why?
When you download a product from this website via Lemon Squeezy, your email address is collected for the following purpose:
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This processing is necessary for the performance of the transaction you have initiated (Article 6(1)(b) GDPR).
If you use the contact form on this website, the information you provide (your name, email address, and message) is collected solely for the purpose of responding to your enquiry. This processing is based on our legitimate interest in responding to communications directed to us (Article 6(1)(f) GDPR).
No other personal data is collected through this website.3. How is Your Data Used?
Your personal data is used only for the purposes described above. Specifically:
• Your email address is used to deliver your product download
• Your email address and contact form details are not used for marketing purposes unless you have separately and explicitly opted in to receive updates
• Your data is not sold, rented, or shared with third parties for marketing purposes4. Third Party Processors
This website uses Lemon Squeezy (a product of Lemon Squeezy LLC) to process product downloads. When you complete a download, your email address is processed by Lemon Squeezy as a data processor acting on our behalf. Lemon Squeezy acts as Merchant of Record for transactions and has its own privacy policy, which can be found at lemonsqueezy.com.
This website is hosted on Carrd. Carrd may process technical data such as IP addresses in connection with the operation of the website. Carrd’s privacy policy can be found at carrd.co.
No other third party processors are used in connection with this website.5. How Long is Your Data Kept?
Email addresses collected through product downloads are retained for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purpose for which they were collected, or as required by applicable law. Contact form submissions are retained only for as long as necessary to respond to your enquiry.
You may request deletion of your data at any time by contacting [email protected].6. Your Rights Under GDPR
As a data subject under GDPR, you have the following rights:
• The right to access the personal data held about you
• The right to rectification of inaccurate or incomplete data
• The right to erasure (‘the right to be forgotten’)
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• The right to data portability
• The right to object to processing based on legitimate interests
To exercise any of these rights, please contact [email protected]. We will respond to your request within one month in accordance with GDPR requirements.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. In Germany, the relevant authority is the Bundesbeauftragte für den Datenschutz und die Informationsfreiheit (BfDI) or the data protection authority of your federal state.7. Cookies
This website does not use tracking cookies or analytics tools that collect personal data. Basic technical cookies may be set by the hosting platform (Carrd) for the purpose of operating the website. These do not identify you personally.8. Data Security
Reasonable technical and organisational measures are in place to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. All data transmitted via this website is encrypted using SSL/TLS.9. Changes to This Policy
This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. Any changes will be published on this page with an updated date. Continued use of this website following any changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.10. Contact
For any questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of your personal data, please contact:Laura Edwards
[email protected]
lauraedwardselt.comLast updated: April 2026