Teaching Beginning Language Classes in Remote Learning Contexts: A Focus on LCTLs

Webinar presented by Dr. Mahmoud Azaz, Dr. Wenhao Diao, and Dr. Liudmila Klimanova (University of Arizona).

May 28, 2020, 2 pm – 3 pm Arizona (2 pm PDT / 5 pm EDT)

In recent online discussions about educators’ experiences in the sudden movement to remote learning in which the world has found itself, questions arose about how instructors have managed to bring beginning language classes to students—especially those languages that use non-western scripts. This webinar provided some guidance on best-practices that instructors of Arabic, Chinese and Russian have applied in remote teaching contexts at the University of Arizona. As part of the registration process for this event, participants were asked to share what they had found most challenging about suddenly moving into remote teaching contexts in beginning language classes, and they could request specific topics that they would like to be addressed by the panel. The presenters saw this information in advance of this event, and had the opportunity to address specific concerns of the audience.

PANELISTS:

Mahmoud Azaz is Associate Professor of Arabic Language, Linguistics, and Pedagogy and Second Language Acquisition and Teaching at the University of Arizona (UA). He is also a Distinguished Fellow at the UA Center for University Education Scholarship and a certified tester of Arabic at ACTFL.
Wenhao Diao is Associate Professor in the Department of East Asian Studies and the program of Second Language Acquisition and Teaching at the University of Arizona. She is interested in the sociolinguistic and sociocultural aspects of Chinese language learning and teaching, with a particular focus on study abroad.
Liudmila Klimanova is an Assistant Professor of Second Language Acquisition and Technology, and the Director of the Russian language program at the University of Arizona. Among other topics, her research examines language and cultural identity enactment in physical and digital spaces, and the role of digital experience in cultural learning within the framework of digital humanistic pedagogy. She currently serves as associate chair of CALICO CMC SIG, and executive committee officer and sector head at AAUSC (American Association of University Supervisors, Coordinators, and Directors of Language Programs).

During the registration process, K-12 participants who participated in the live event could request a certificate for one hour of Continuing Education.

This webinar was cosponsored by the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Arizona, in conjunction with their Virtual Lessons Learned series.