Within you will find a
detailed history of my education, experience, and qualifications as an ESL/EFL teacher,
teacher of teachers, and program developer/coordinator. I bring not only seasoned
ESL/EFL/EAP/ESP skills, but extensive experience in communication theory and
practice, media, computers, promotion, and
cross-cultural awareness.
I suggest that you go first
to my CV. If you are still interested, explore the full site. If you want to
see an associated work product,
reference or
document, click on the underlined
item.
I am a native English speaker
born, educated, and citizen of the USA.
My goal is to be
a better teacher...and a better student.
Like many Americans, I have
had a number of professional lives (journalist, media producer, and adventure travel
operator). These pursuits enabled me to touch many cultures, learning to
accept diversity of world view and ways of coexistence with them.
In the 1980's, seeking
regeneration, I returned to the University for an advanced degree. It was there that
I discovered teaching. Nothing I had ever done provided the satisfaction found in
the development of intellect—in
others and thereby in myself. Particularly, I enjoy the challenge of teaching across
cultures, as this exchange is one that has fascinated and engaged my energies since
childhood.
This love has led to a life
spent far from my native Anglo-American tradition. It has taken me to fifteen years of teaching and program development, first in Japan, then Korea, a
brief stint in Hong Kong, several years in Saudi Arabia, and
then in the Balkans—providing the
cross-cultural data for a dissertation in the process of completion. More
recently I have been in my hometown, Berkeley, CA, where I worked to improve
my skills, preparing foreign students for American university programs.
Currently, I have just returned from five years in the Middle East at the University of Bahrain,
where I utilized those skills to assists students in mastering IT-oriented English. In this effort I introduced the use of the Internet
into the curriculum; the result reflected in the program's web site—http://e4it.taletwist.com (n.b. this site is
currently archived pending further use).
In addition, when not teaching,
I consult for businesses and non-profit organizations on cross-cultural issues,
developing training programs, and leading seminars. Also, I am
exploring the educational potential of the Internet by running
TaleTwist,
a web publishing firm.
I keep
extremely fit by training in Triathlon type events: swimming, cycling, running,
weight lifting, which
offer ample preparation for my holiday activities of skiing, mountaineering, and deep sea
diving. I emphasize this because good health, along with mental growth,
is my "bottom line".
My teaching
I have been asked many times,
"what is your strategy for teaching?" It is quite simple; first, I must
understand where I am—in both the culture of
the students and of the employing institution. Then, within these cultural parameters, I
strive to engage the students through cooperative activity and problem solving. It is my
belief that If a skill has student-perceived relevance, it will be learned.
I would
appreciate hearing from you, not only about employment opportunities, but
comments/criticisms about the site and its materials:
send mail to:
capra43@gmail.com
