{"id":138,"date":"2020-03-30T16:14:54","date_gmt":"2020-03-30T16:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reflectiveteachingjournal.com\/?page_id=138"},"modified":"2023-01-30T11:58:29","modified_gmt":"2023-01-30T11:58:29","slug":"about-the-author","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/reflectiveteachingjournal.com\/about-the-author\/","title":{"rendered":"About The Author"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Dana Di Pardo L\u00e9on-Henri, PHD<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Dana Di Pardo L\u00e9on-Henri completed her PhD in Applied Linguistics at the University of La Sorbonne, Paris. With over thirty years of language teaching experience, she is tenured Associate Professor at the University of Franche-Comt\u00e9, France, in the UFR of Arts and Humanities at Besan\u00e7on, where she teaches English for Specific Purposes (ESP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her research is focused on ESP, foreign language teaching and acquisition, pedagogy and didactics, evaluation, artificial intelligence and diagnostic assessment, language policy and professional skills development at the higher education level. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and volumes, and has been presented at a number of academic conferences abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My Work Story<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In a previous life and while still living in Canada, I was the VP of a family owned company where I learned and developed many professional skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, I was teaching night school in a Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) Program to many foreign immigrants (from Europe, Asia, Africa and South America), who needed to learn English quickly for their personal and professional integration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, I was teaching Introductory French and Italian night classes to (mostly) adult students who wished to travel to France and Italy. A few years earlier, I had earned a Double Bachelor of Arts (in French and Italian) from Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario and I was determined to keep practicing my language skills and theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teaching was always a sincere pleasure for me. Since the day I received my first chalkboard (still have it), I enjoyed speaking to my students (my smiling dolls and happy stuffed animals), while I gave them lessons on Robert Louis Stephenson\u2019s Garden of Verses poetry, a book (still have that too) I had received from my aunt Evelyn, a woman from Liverpool with a history and accent to boot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day after my administrative interview with Carol W. at the LINC program, my dear teaching colleague, Norma F., literally gave me the keys and said: \u2018You\u2019re on your own, kiddo!\u2019 What Norma F. did was provide me with a precious gift: her unending trust, but above all, the freedom to find my way, while adopting and adapting my teaching methods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the LINC program, I enjoyed every moment of looking through all of the teaching supports (books, magazines, and manuals) and resources (games and cassettes). Preparing my lessons was so much fun. However, as a new teacher, it was a real challenge. Since Norma was my only colleague, I felt that asking too many questions would undermine her trust, so I independently read and researched as much as I could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teaching English to foreigners can be a lot of fun. For instance, teaching the \u201cth\u201d and \u201cthr\u201d sounds to hesitant and uneasy Asian students was a hilarious riot for all of us. I was profoundly touched by my LINC students who came to class every week with their stories, trials and tribulations of daily life. I learned about their individual journeys to Canada and shed many a tear for their sufferings. I was humbled beyond words and instantly my troubles seemed meaningless compared to theirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What I learned in terms of didactics and pedagogy in the LINC teaching experience, I transposed to my Introductory French and Italian courses. Every week, preparing lessons became easier. A few years later, I was offered the opportunity to teach Introductory and Advanced French at a division of Mohawk College. It was there that I realized I felt most comfortable and in my natural element. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that is just my first life! It really seems life a lifetime ago\u2026 Over three decades have passed since that first interview with Norma. After almost two decades of living in France, my goal when I wake up each morning is to help other teachers, instructors, and educators who strive for success in the classroom. A better work environment is possible, and I am here to help you get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education & Diplomas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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