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Honouring the memory of Annie McDonald
Read on for a message from Anne McCabe and Hilary Plass.
TESOL-SPAIN would like to extend our sympathy and condolences to all of Annie McDonald’s family, friends, and colleagues in the world of ELT. Annie sadly passed away in December 2025.
Born in Liverpool in 1955, she studied History at Liverpool University, receiving her BA in 1976. She taught secondary-level History until 1985, then moved to Izmir, Turkey to teach EFL at Ozel Fatih College. There she met Mark Hancock, her partner in life for forty years. In 1988, Annie and Mark relocated to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, teaching English at Cultura Inglesa. Their years in Rio were ones of growth and professional development, with Annie, for example, embracing drama for language learning, including her much-loved productions of plays and pantomimes that brought joy, laughter, and language to life.
In 1992, to TESOL-SPAIN’s fortune, Annie and Mark moved to Madrid, where Annie first taught English for air traffic controllers in a project under the auspices of the British Council. Her work in this area of ESP involved creating materials and assessment tools for the profession, in addition to teaching. During the years of 1994-1996, Annie completed Aston University’s MSc in Teaching English, extending her research into assessment through data gathered from the air traffic control project. From 1997 to 2003, Annie taught English for Journalism, Audiovisual Communication and Publicity at San Pablo CEU University. There she continued to contribute to the profession through her main areas of interest, testing and assessment and decoding for listening skills. During the following years, Annie dedicated her time and efforts to materials production, including co-authored publications with Mark, such as Pen Pictures (OUP, 1999-2000), English Result, a four-level general English course (OUP, 2007-2010), Authentic Listening Resource Pack (Delta, 2014), and Out and About (CUP, 2015).
In 2013, Annie and Mark relocated to Chester, in England. There they established Hancock McDonald ELT (https://hancockmcdonald.com/), an invaluable and generous resource for English language teachers. Amongst the materials created through Hancock McDonald is PronPack 1-4, winner of best innovations for English Language teaching worldwide in the Teaching Resources section of British Council ELTONS awards 2018. Annie continued teaching at Chester University, where she also participated in English Language Test Design as Development leader in the EAP Testing and Assessment team.
TESOL-SPAIN benefitted from Annie’s expertise and generosity. She first became involved in TESOL-SPAIN as speaker coordinator for the 1997 Annual Convention, and joined the Board that same year. In 2000, Annie held the role of Convention Coordinator and was President from 2000-2002. She also served as Liaison Officer and as Honorary Advisor to the Board. Her dedication and professionalism helped shape the organization as it exists today.
We remember Annie not only for her professional skills and dedication to language teaching but also for her vivacious personality, her openness to new people, places and ideas, and her eagerness to listen and help others. Above all, Annie transmitted warmth and fun, whether by including pink dolphins in a Brazilian river in her teaching materials, playing a shrewd hand at bridge, chatting about life into the wee hours of the morning, or singing along to her favourite bands. Here are some tributes to Annie from the Hancock McDonald Facebook page:
Born in Liverpool in 1955, she studied History at Liverpool University, receiving her BA in 1976. She taught secondary-level History until 1985, then moved to Izmir, Turkey to teach EFL at Ozel Fatih College. There she met Mark Hancock, her partner in life for forty years. In 1988, Annie and Mark relocated to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, teaching English at Cultura Inglesa. Their years in Rio were ones of growth and professional development, with Annie, for example, embracing drama for language learning, including her much-loved productions of plays and pantomimes that brought joy, laughter, and language to life.
In 1992, to TESOL-SPAIN’s fortune, Annie and Mark moved to Madrid, where Annie first taught English for air traffic controllers in a project under the auspices of the British Council. Her work in this area of ESP involved creating materials and assessment tools for the profession, in addition to teaching. During the years of 1994-1996, Annie completed Aston University’s MSc in Teaching English, extending her research into assessment through data gathered from the air traffic control project. From 1997 to 2003, Annie taught English for Journalism, Audiovisual Communication and Publicity at San Pablo CEU University. There she continued to contribute to the profession through her main areas of interest, testing and assessment and decoding for listening skills. During the following years, Annie dedicated her time and efforts to materials production, including co-authored publications with Mark, such as Pen Pictures (OUP, 1999-2000), English Result, a four-level general English course (OUP, 2007-2010), Authentic Listening Resource Pack (Delta, 2014), and Out and About (CUP, 2015).
In 2013, Annie and Mark relocated to Chester, in England. There they established Hancock McDonald ELT (https://hancockmcdonald.com/), an invaluable and generous resource for English language teachers. Amongst the materials created through Hancock McDonald is PronPack 1-4, winner of best innovations for English Language teaching worldwide in the Teaching Resources section of British Council ELTONS awards 2018. Annie continued teaching at Chester University, where she also participated in English Language Test Design as Development leader in the EAP Testing and Assessment team.
TESOL-SPAIN benefitted from Annie’s expertise and generosity. She first became involved in TESOL-SPAIN as speaker coordinator for the 1997 Annual Convention, and joined the Board that same year. In 2000, Annie held the role of Convention Coordinator and was President from 2000-2002. She also served as Liaison Officer and as Honorary Advisor to the Board. Her dedication and professionalism helped shape the organization as it exists today.
We remember Annie not only for her professional skills and dedication to language teaching but also for her vivacious personality, her openness to new people, places and ideas, and her eagerness to listen and help others. Above all, Annie transmitted warmth and fun, whether by including pink dolphins in a Brazilian river in her teaching materials, playing a shrewd hand at bridge, chatting about life into the wee hours of the morning, or singing along to her favourite bands. Here are some tributes to Annie from the Hancock McDonald Facebook page:
“Annie was such an inspiration” “infectious laugh” “a wonderful person” “a bright star” “beautiful Annie” “truly remarkable and a great friend” “a highly valued colleague and friend” “a sharp wit and great wisdom” “a shining light in my ELT memories” “always so much fun to be around” “a very special person” “an exceptional colleague and person” “Annie really shone out in the world”
It is best expressed by Mark, to whom we offer our deepest sympathies: Annie has passed away, leaving behind a diminished world.
Published on 05/01/2026
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