This research is based on the linguistic development of my daughters language development. The ethnographic research provides an understanding of a bi-lingual child's development. My daughter is currently 1 year young, and is being raised with two languages which are English and Russian.

This insightful book delves into the practical and theoretical realms of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) testing, focusing on task-based testing methods and the dynamics of group interaction in language learning classrooms. Driven by years of experience in oral language assessment, Dr. Larcombe explores a novel approach that challenges traditional topic-centered testing with task-based testing (TBT) designed to evoke richer language use, creativity, and interactive complexity among students.

The book is grounded in a comprehensive study conducted with 71 university students in Korea, testing two types of group oral assessments: a task-based test encouraging collaborative project-like activities, and a non-task-based, conversational test. Findings reveal intriguing contrasts between the tests: while task-based testing enhances language complexity and leadership qualities, non-task-based tests excel in promoting conversational fluency. Dr. Larcombe also examines how group dynamics—positive and negative—play a crucial role in influencing student performance, motivation, and engagement during testing.

Designed for language educators, researchers, and curriculum developers, this book emphasizes the importance of innovative testing that aligns with real-world applications, advocating for methods that support authentic language production and student well-being. Dr. Larcombe presents compelling evidence and practical guidance for implementing task-based assessments that not only evaluate students’ language proficiency but also prepare them for collaborative, real-world communication challenges.

"English Linguistics" offers an invaluable resource for EFL practitioners seeking to enhance their understanding of testing methods, group dynamics, and their impact on language acquisition in diverse classroom settings.

English Linguistics: An introduction to language testing, and group dynamics in the second language classroom

This book provides an in-depth exploration of sports media, with a unique focus on surfing as a lens to understand the cultural, social, and commercial impacts of media on modern sports. Originally inspired by an academic project, this work delves into the interplay between sports and media, investigating how the media not only reflects but shapes public perceptions, athlete identities, and sporting communities. Drawing on theoretical insights from scholars such as Raymond Boyle, David Rowe, Jean Baudrillard, and Paul Virilio, it considers the ways media influences and commodifies sports in an increasingly digital and globalized age.

Using surfing—a sport rooted in countercultural ideals but now embraced by mainstream media—as a case study, the book sheds light on the complex relationship between media commercialization and authenticity. From the role of live broadcasts and social media to the expansion of the World Surf League, it examines how media has transformed surfing into a global spectacle. This book further enriches its analysis with an ethnographic case study of Korea’s burgeoning surfing culture, revealing how media exposure and commercialization are reshaping sports in emerging markets.

Ultimately, this exploration seeks to foster a deeper understanding of sports media’s double-edged nature. It demonstrates the media’s power to elevate and democratize sports, but also its potential to distort, commodify, and dilute. Readers are invited to critically examine their own interactions with sports media and consider its broader implications for identity, culture, and sustainability in sport.

Understanding Sports Media through the lens of Surfing

Originally written as an essay for my PhD studies under Professor Shin Dooho at Kangwon National University, a leading authority in Environmental Literature, this work is now shared in book form. It explores the Anthropocene concept by examining its theoretical foundations and addressing the notable absence of Social Ecology within its framework. Organized into two main sections, the book first defines the Anthropocene and considers its broader implications. It then shifts focus to contemporary nature literature, where the potential role of Social Ecology within the Anthropocene is analysed. By taking this approach, the book seeks to deepen our understanding of the Anthropocene while promoting a more integrative perspective that encompasses social and ecological dimensions.

Anthropocene and Social Ecology.: Exploring Environmentalism and Examining the usefulness of Anthropocene.

Dr Paul Larcombe identifies five easy steps to follow to create success in education and then guides you towards a clear understanding of the steps chapter by chapter. Learn through these key steps to better understand yourself, feel supported, more knowledgeable, and calmer when travelling through your education and life journey. Available via the links here.

How to go from grade E to A plus with 5 easy steps: Learn how to change your self-belief & increase your chances of getting A's.

Stop! Survival guide to academic English: A book on surviving and understanding academic English at universities.

PhD dissertation focusing on group oral testing and group dynamics in the setting of second language learners. The sample sized included 71 South Korean students studying English at Kangwon National University.

An exploration into the relationship between Surfing, Environmentalism and Corporate Social Responsibility.

A Masters dissertation from my time studying sociology and sport at the University of Brighton. With a specific focus on the connections between the surf industry, and environmentalism.