Contact
Biography
I was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, but raised in the United States. After graduating from Dartmouth College with a BA in Spanish Language, Culture, and Society, I completed my MPhil in Medieval Studies and PhD in Spanish Literature at Yale University. As an undergraduate, I began teaching Spanish at Dartmouth in 1998 as an Apprentice Teacher and also taught Spanish language at Yale while completing my doctorate. I have worked in educational tourism for secondary school students in Spain, corporate translation in the United States, and higher education in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Before joining the University of Nottingham in 2022, I taught and coordinated Spanish language and culture modules at all levels at the Catholic University of America and Nottingham Trent University.
I am Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and have spent many years working with both small and large groups of students from a wide range of backgrounds. I have taught modules on medieval Spain as well as Spanish culture in the 20th century, and have experience with blended and on-line delivery. I am Module Convenor for Inter Faculty Spanish Stage 2, and currently teach both Stages 1 and 2 in the Language Centre. I am also one of the two Language Centre Events Officers, responsible for organising a programme of extracurricular language and culture events open to all students.
Teaching Summary
My teaching and learning interests include:
- Community and confidence in the classroom
- Innovative language assessment
- New technologies for language teaching and learning
I am involved in the following projects:
- Member of the Assessment Research Action Group (ARAG)
- Member of the Stage 2 Assessment Feedback Pilot Programme
- "Guidance for students on the use of AI in Language Centre modules." Co-written with Noemí Cedillo as a document of guidelines for responsible use of artificial intelligence tools. Shared with the language centres of all three University of Nottingham campuses (UK, China, Malaysia) and with the School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies. January 2024.
- "Artificial Intelligence in Teaching at the University of Nottingham." iTeach Online Podcast. Co-presented with Noemí Cedillo and Kristina Nothoff. University of Nottingham (3 December 2024)
Research Summary
My research interests include:
- New technologies for language teaching and learning
- Developing confidence in language learners
- Innovative language assessment
Presentations and workshops:
- February 2025: A case study of my teaching practice appears in the book chapter "Using Technology to Support Online Presence and Student Engagement" Bancroft, R., Pearce, R., Challen, R., Teaching and Learning with Innovative Technologies in Higher Education: Real-World Case Studies. New York, Oxford: Routledge
- February 2025: "La comunidad de aprendizaje y la autoconfianza del alumnado." Jornada de formación para profesorado. Sponsored by the Education Office of the Embassy of Spain and the Regional Government of Castilla y León to provide professional development for primary and secondary teachers of Spanish, University of Nottingham
- January 2025: "Student Engagement with Homework." Joining the Notts. Member of the organising committee and co-facilitator with Mikiko Kurose and Kristina Nothoff for workshop session. University of Nottingham in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University
- September 2024: "Are translation tools and language apps enough?" Co-presented with Sandra Reisenleutner. European Career Roadshow. Organised by Goethe Institute in support of other institutions such as Instituto Cervantes, Alliance Française and European Parliament, to promote uptake of languages in UK. Goethe Institute London
- July 2024 "Using AI Together for Language Learning: Opportunities and Challenges for Teachers and Students." Co-presented with Noemí Cedillo, Lea Guetta, Chloe Mastin and Kristina Nothoff. TeachFest, University of Nottingham
- June 2024: "The Good, the Bad, and the Opportunities: Using AI for Language Learning." Co-presented with Noemí Cedillo, Lea Guetta and Kristina Nothoff. NILIC Teaching Practice, Scholarship and Research Day, Nottingham Institute of Languages and Intercultural Communication, Nottingham Trent University
- May 2024: "Teaching Languages in HE: Practical Examples and Challenges of Using AI." Co-presented with Noemí Cedillo, Lea Guetta, Marilena Minoia and Kristina Nothoff. University of Nottingham (tri-campus)
- January 2024: "Sample A2 class session: Teaching the imperative in the context of applying for a job." Back to Basics in Language Teaching and Learning: What To Teach? University of Nottingham
- November 2023: "AI for teaching languages in HE: practical examples and challenges." Co-presented with fellow members of the Language Centre Artificial Intelligence Team. LanTeRN, University of Nottingham
- June 2023: "Breaking Boundaries in Language Assessment." 8th LanGW4 Colloquium: Transition and Transgression, Cardiff University
- April 2023: "Community in the Classroom: Students and Teachers in Partnership and Practice." Co-presented with Emanuelle Zagbayou. Teaching and Learning Conference 2023: Beyond Satisfaction, Student Engagement and Partnership in Teaching and Learning, University of Nottingham