This January, we are delighted to spotlight Nejashi Abdulwali, an English teacher, teacher educator, and school counsellor from Ethiopia whose dedication to learners and educators has shaped more than two decades of impactful classroom and community work.
Nejashi’s career began in secondary schools, where he taught English and supported learners’ wellbeing as a counsellor. Over the years, he has blended these two passions—language education and psychology—to create learning environments that value both academic growth and emotional development. His academic background includes a BEd in Pedagogical Sciences, an MA in TEFL, and an MA in Counselling Psychology, a combination that has guided his holistic approach to teaching.
Collaboration has played a powerful role in Nejashi’s journey. Around 15 years ago, he joined colleagues from Nigeria, the UK and the Netherlands through the British Council’s Connecting Classrooms initiative and Edukans’ World Teachers Programme, experiences that broadened his professional outlook and strengthened his commitment to cross‑cultural learning. His engagement didn’t stop there. He has contributed to action research in English language education, life skills, and student wellbeing, publishing some of his work through Jimma University. His research on student lateness even earned him recognition from the Oromia Regional State Teachers’ Association at their annual Quality of Education conference.
Today, Nejashi continues to champion high‑quality learning in Ethiopia. He works with the British Council, the World Voice and Art Association Ethiopia (WVAAE) as a regional trainer, and the US Embassy in Addis Ababa on EducationUSA and college counselling programmes. Across all these roles, he remains committed to helping young people grow in confidence and opportunity.
When asked to share advice with fellow teachers, especially around this month’s theme 'Managing the Lesson', Nejashi offers six practical elements that teachers can use to strengthen their classroom practice:
- Clearly explain learning aims and content
- Set up varied classroom activities that encourage interaction
- Continually check for understanding
- Establish and maintain positive discipline
- Make thoughtful decisions about the use of English and local languages
- Manage the pace and timing of activities carefully
These principles reflect his belief that effective lesson management is both a skill and an attitude—one that values clarity, structure, and the learner’s experience.
We celebrate Nejashi for his long-standing contribution to English teaching in Ethiopia, his commitment to supporting young learners’ wellbeing, and his continued engagement with the TeachingEnglish Africa community.