I am honestly just as passionate about the “how” of teaching a language and second-language acquisition research as I am about the language itself. I specialize in teaching language with comprehension-based teaching methods, also known as Comprehensible Input (CI) - a framework that takes into account that language acquisition occurs primarily through immersion and interaction, as well as a lot of reading and listening, or input, that the learner can understand. With CI, I ensure my students can comprehend as much as possible in Spanish so that they can, in turn, become confident communicators. I believe the most effective and engaging language-learning materials and activities are proficiency-oriented (meaning we aim to talk about interesting topics, for purposes, with accuracy), student-centered, and personalized. I always aim to connect content to students’ lives and provide my students various supports to be able to have discussions about different topics in the language!

Throughout the year, students will answer the questions of why we learn Spanish (or any World Language). What does it mean to have cross-cultural competence? How can we develop communication skills and get our point across even if we lack the vocabulary? In answering these questions, we will explore the history and geography of the Spanish-speaking world, investigate and interact with diverse cultures, and engage with issues of global importance.

I am looking forward to embark on this new, exciting journey with each and every one of you!