Spotlight on CETC Members
Amanda Baker, aabaker20@hotmail.com, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. How are you connected with the world of TESOL?
My path to TESOL has been rather interesting, taking a few unexpected turns in the process. After the completion of my BA in French/Spanish, I naturally took the next logical step and flew to Japan! I taught English in northern Japan for three years and later traveled to northern China to teach English at a teachers' college for another year. My experience in China confirmed that TESOL was the right direction for me, so I returned home to Canada to pursue my MA in TESOL at Trinity Western University (TWU). With the terrific guidance and learning I received at TWU, I discovered a passion for research and researching, which led to a decision to further advance my education. Now I am studying at Georgia State University in the PhD in Applied Linguistics and ESL program and having an amazing, albeit sleep-deprived at times, experience!
2. What do you especially appreciate about TESOL and/or CETC?
The annual TESOL conference is high on my favorites list, although Essential Teacher and TESOL Quarterly are close seconds. Each of these has contributed to my knowledge base and has proved useful at several levels. The conferences provide insight into teaching practices and current research while ET has given me great ideas for the ESL classroom and TQ has contributed to the numerous papers I write for my doctoral courses.
3. Is there a relevant joy or challenge you experience that you could share with CETC Newsletter readers?
With the end of the spring semester just past, finishing the first year of the PhD program is probably one of the most exciting events in my life right now! At times I wasn't sure I would survive, but by God's grace, I made it through. In a few weeks, I will be returning to Canada for the summer to escape the humidity of Atlanta and enjoy the cooler yet still warm weather of Vancouver. A summer of teaching at TWU, cabining, and spending time with friends and family awaits!
4. What is your favorite Bible verse, and why?
Isaiah 40:31, which says, "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." This verse along with several others is the source of much strength in my spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. The word hope reminds me to never doubt in the Lord, that no matter what the circumstance, in the end, everything will be okay. And in many cases, the situation will be better than okay! With this in my heart, I can figuratively soar through troubles despite the turbulence on the way. This verse also teaches me perseverance, as one of the defining characteristics of hope is patience. As an ESL/EFL teacher, I find patience to be key, giving me the time I need to reflect on my students' circumstances and to figure out how to teach in a way that is hopefully more conducive to their learning.
5. Is there a book, article, or individual related to TESOL that has influenced you and/or your teaching? If so, could you explain how?
One of my main areas of interest is pronunciation instruction, so naturally the resources and people that have most influenced my teaching have to do with this topic. The book I have found most useful in teaching oral communication or fluency classes is Learner English (2001) edited by Michael Swan and Bernard Smith. Although the purpose of this book is not to provide techniques for teaching pronunciation, it is particularly valuable in describing the difficulties that learners of English frequently encounter when learning the language. This book provides cultural background on 22 different language groups including Spanish, Arabic, and Thai, and provides detailed information on the phonological, lexical, and grammatical issues these learners may have. When teaching a class of 10 or more students from seven different language backgrounds, I found that this book helped me to quickly learn about their potential problems, enabling me to design lessons that were more likely to address their needs. From that point on, I count on the education I received from Dr. William Acton who taught my graduate course in applied phonology at TWU. The knowledge he imparted to us coupled with several other resources has contributed a great deal to my current teaching and learning career.
Xuesong Gao (Andy), Xuesong.Gao@hkusua.hku.hk, Hong Kong, China
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. How are you connected with the world of TESOL?
I'm a doctoral student in my final year in applied linguistics at the English Centre/Faculty of Education at the University of Hong Kong. I was born in China and did my first degree in Wuhan, where I learned of Christianity from my English teachers. I taught English briefly in a technical college before I went abroad for postgraduate studies. Now I am planning to be a teacher educator. It's my current research and future career plan that brought me to be connected with the world of TESOL.
2. What do you especially appreciate about TESOL and/or CETC?
TESOL is an international organization for English language teaching professionals worldwide. I particularly like TESOL because it has many caucuses, among which is CETC. With my fellow caucus members, I can explore crucial questions related to my career: (a) Why did I become an English teacher? (b) How do I relate my professional practices to my ministry? As a Christian, I know that the Lord has been leading me toward something these years, and CETC is an important place to support one another in our professional work and service.
3. Is there a relevant joy or challenge you experience that you could share with CETC Newsletter readers?
It's a great joy for me to know that there are Christians active in our field, not only as teachers but also as researchers. The biggest challenge for me is to bridge the gap between my faith and professional practice. Throughout my training, faith has been separated from my profession. In fact, before I heard of CETC I never thought about how my faith could be integrated into my professional practices. I tended to place these into two different domains. For instance, as a research student, I spent much time building arguments and writing journal articles, but I wonder if God was in my thinking and writing. It was a bit of a struggle to engage in the CETC conversation, but somehow I have managed to enter this community and found that I am not alone.
4. What is your favorite Bible verse, and why?
One of my favorites is Jeremiah 29:11 ("For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"). This is a verse I received from my teachers when I was graduating from university. As I was reflecting upon the past 10 years, I saw that God's plan is gradually being revealed for me. Although I cannot state what it is exactly, I have much more faith in God's plans for me. This verse gives me peace and certainty, and comfort when things do not go well. I know that God has plans to give me hope and a future.
5. Is there a book, article, or individual related to TESOL that has influenced you and/or your teaching? If so, could you explain how?
I was greatly encouraged by the people I talked and listened to during the CELT 2007 conference in Seattle. Scholars such as Tom Scovel, Suresh Canagarajah, and David Smith have wonderfully integrated the faith into their academic and professional practices. They demonstrate how I can make my work into ministry. I believe that I will be doing a meaningful job if I build my knowledge and understanding on the Lord. I now have a set of targets and criteria for my future professional practices. May the Lord be my guide as I entrust my research and teaching to Him.
Carolyn Kristjánsson, kristjan@twu.ca, Langley, British Columbia, Canada
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. How are you connected with the world of TESOL?
I was born in Canada, spent a number of years in Brazil as the daughter of missionaries, and married a man from Iceland. While in Iceland I was asked to teach English in a local junior college although I had no background in this area. After much thought and prayer, I reluctantly agreed. To my surprise, I discovered that teaching English was something I greatly enjoyed and, with God's help, was able to do in a way that students found helpful as well. In the summer of 1994, I relocated with my family to North America, and within 10 days I was enrolled in two courses at a TESOL Institute hosted by Iowa State University. That was eventually followed by a TESL certificate at Trinity Western University (TWU) and MA and PhD work at the University of British Columbia. I earned these degrees while teaching in the intensive English program and later in the certificate and MA programs in TESOL at TWU where I continue to teach at present.
2. What do you especially appreciate about TESOL and/or CETC?
One of the many things I appreciate about TESOL is the opportunity to get to know students and colleagues from many different cultures. What an incredible opportunity to learn! It's also deeply satisfying to be able to contribute positively to people's lives. Participation in CETC offers the added pleasure of opportunities to connect with colleagues who are committed not only to the profession but also to faith in Christ and are willing to explore and discuss how spiritual values influence their pedagogy. This is something I value greatly.
3. Is there a relevant joy or challenge you experience that you could share with CETC Newsletter readers?
Two of the greatest joys are seeing my students achieve their goals and meeting new colleagues in TESOL and learning from their perspectives. The single greatest challenge: not having enough time to do all the reading, research, networking, and professional development that I'd like to do!
4. What is your favorite Bible verse, and why?
One of my favorites is "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:13). When I was younger I struggled with extreme shyness. I still find myself tongue-tied and wanting to withdraw in some situations, but by looking to Christ for courage and strength, I have found that I actually can do "all things" that are needed. This verse is a daily reality in my life.
5. Is there a book, article, or individual related to TESOL that has influenced you and/or your teaching? If so, could you explain how?
One day in the summer of 2000, while doing some research related to my doctoral work, I stumbled across the second edition of Earl Stevick's Memory, Meaning & Method (1996) in a university library. From the very first chapter I was captivated by what I read and had a distinct sense of feeling at home with Earl's way of thinking. I was especially impressed by his attention to intrapersonal and interpersonal matters and the link between the two. As I read more of his writing, I came to realize the importance of this theme, made explicit with his "Inside and Between" principle in Teaching Languages: A Way and Ways (1980) and developed in various ways in subsequent works. His acknowledgment of the influence of spiritual values in shaping his views and the representation of language teaching as "sacramental" (1990) resonated with my own research interests regarding the influence of spiritual values in language education. Earl's articulation of such matters has greatly influenced my thinking and practice.
Frank Tuzi, ftuzi@yahoo.com, Inzai, Chiba, Japan
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. How are you connected to the world of TESOL?
I have been a member of TESOL since the inception of CETC and have been working with most of the leadership since that time. I began working as a newsletter editor and shifted to the nonofficer position of webmaster a few years later. Since that time, I have worked with the chairs, newsletter editors, and e-list managers to coordinate information and communication.
2. What do you especially appreciate about TESOL and/or CETC?
I appreciate the connections available via CETC. It is good to see others in the field who are of like mind. I have long stressed the proverb "iron sharpens iron." TESOL, CETC, and the associate CELT organization provide opportunities to learn and assist others.
3. Is there a relevant joy or challenge you experience that you could share with CETC Newsletter readers?
As a techno-geek, I am glad to use the knowledge I have to assist others in their teaching objectives. In particular, I am glad to see web-based, operating system independent, applications that cost little to nothing for us educators and the students we interact with. For example, I like to discuss materials development that uses tools such as Audacity, e-Sword, or Hot Potatoes.
4. What is your favorite Bible verse, and why?
None in particular, but I do believe that scripture memorization is a good thing.
5. Is there a book, article, or individual related to TESOL that has influenced you and/or your teaching? If so, could you explain how?
Unlike many language educators, I live in the worlds of language and technology. That being the case, works by Warschauer, Liu, and MacLeod have impacted my understanding of the integration of language and technology in teaching and learning. I also have a strong interest in second language writing and assessment. Thus, the writings of people such as Stanley, Ferris, Hedgcock, and Braine continue to pique my curiosity and encourage me to ponder new connections between second language acquisition, second language writing, assessment, and technology.
