Stephen Speight studied English at Oxford, where he met his future wife. After eight year of teaching and lecturing in England he was invited to take up a post in Dortmund, Germany. Until his retirement he taught language, literature, cultural studies and technical English at Dortmund University, and also supevises students on teaching practice.

For many years he wrote the popular column "Would you have marked it wrong?" in Praxis des neusprachlichen Unterrichts. Extracts from his column have appeared in a book with the title Right or Wrong?

He has also published articles on second language conversation, which was the topic of his dissertation. He has worked as an author on severeal textbook series and written more than twenty stories for language learners.

In 1997 he was awarded the University Teaching Prize of Dortmund University. More recently he has edited course books for senior students on widely-varying topics such as technology, modern Britain, the media and the environment. Other interests include moders fiction, caravanning, sailing, jogging and playing the harpsichord.