Contact
| Dept: | English |
| Email: | joancham@iastate.edu |
| Office: | Ross 335 Farm House Ln. Ames IA 50011-1068 |
| Phone: | 515-294-2180 |
| Office Hours: | MW 2:30-3:30 TR 12:30-1:30 |
Bio
Courses I am Teaching
All skill areas in ESL and EAP at all proficiency levels (Reading, Writing, Grammar, and Oral Communication)
Course Design and Materials Development for ESL/EFL
Methods and Materials for Oral Communication in ESL/EFL
Degrees
M.A. Monterey Institute of International Studies • TESOL
B.A. University of Oregon • English
Research Interests
Second Language Reading Instruction
Language Teacher Education
About My Teaching
I have been inspired by brilliant language teachers and language learners while in the Peace Corps in Botswana, while in Poland at the University of Gdansk, and here at Iowa State. I will always remember the very low proficiency student, fearful of speaking English, who successfully participated in a classroom simulation, got heatedly involved in the interaction, and then later was thrilled to realize that she had forgotten that she was speaking English. I believe that true moments of communication will result in deeper language learning.
The deepest learning happens when students directly confront the material being presented to them. In teacher training, this means students experience the approach to teaching, rather than have it explained to them. They do it themselves, it becomes real, and in the process they explore a way to teach and consider how it fits their teaching context.