Marhaba! مرحبا

Who am I? The question of identity, particularly in relation to language and context, is one that has captivated me for years. Fortunately, the world of language teaching and learning opens the door for such questions to be asked and actively explored.

My name is Amira Ghazy. I’m an educator with seven years of experience in teaching English and Arabic as second languages. Through the world of cinema, I acquired English and Hindi at a young age. The exposure to various voices, stories, and cultures ignited my appreciation for all forms of expression, from the written word to the performing arts. This experience was the driving force to obtain my BA in English Language Arts and Education.

In teaching, I found another form of expression. It became my "joie de vivre," the very essence of what brings me joy, connecting me with myself and the collective. As a student and a teacher in the educational context of the MENA region, I witnessed the limitations of outdated methodologies that focused on rote memorization and rigid assessments prioritizing passive mastery of written forms. This sparked my determination to explore forms of oppression in education and devise avenues for a more liberating educational experience.

Joining the LTS program offered a pathway for me to bring positive change to the educational system through informed and principled decisions in curriculum design, material adaptation, teaching, assessment, and action research. Throughout the program, I evolved in a thriving community that celebrated a diversity of beliefs, attitudes, perspectives, and backgrounds. The growing knowledge of cultures, religions, history, politics, and identity has changed my views of myself and the world.

My major work in the LTS program is focused on six key areas: Language as a Dynamic System, Design, Digitally-Mediated Language Learning, Assessment, Teaching, and Research. In these areas, I aimed to detangle the web of false assumptions about languages, cultures, and education. The artifacts and reflections serve as a guide for educators, curriculum designers, and other professionals in the field. The work is not a mere critique and examination of existing challenges, but rather a call for action to work through societal and educational problems. 

Lastly, I’m a passionate learner. The pursuit of knowledge is what gives my life meaning, purpose, and structure. That said, I am happy to answer any questions, collaborate on projects, share ideas, and open new threads of discussion. As I step into the future, I plan to teach Arabic in the U.S. for a few years before pursuing my doctoral degree. I believe that teaching foregrounds our thoughts on areas that need further investigation through research. My next few years will be spent at Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges, teaching Arabic as a second language. I trust that the experience will be enriching on many levels. If you are in Philadelphia, let’s have some of the famous Philly cheese sandwiches.