Foreign Language Teaching Assistants
Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) are non-degree seeking students who come to Wesleyan for one year to enhance our students' language learning experience through cultural exchange. They are appointed through Wesleyan's language departments and work under the supervision of the language teaching faculty in those departments. We are extremely grateful to these visitors for their contribution to advancing the mission of the Fries Center for Global Studies (FCGS) in terms of language and intercultural learning. By bringing them together in a highly visible common space in Fisk, we hope to enhance their profile as a group and foster greater interaction between them and the Wesleyan student body. Further information can be found using the links below:
2023-2024 FLTA Cohort
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Moataz Derdira
Arabic FLTA
Tripoli, Libya
Read more about Moataz DerdiraMoataz Derdira is the Arabic Fulbright FTLA currently engaging with the Wesleyan University community. His educational journey includes a Bachelor's degree in English. He has had the privilege of spending 2 years as an international school science teacher, along with teaching English as a second language. His interests span technology and graphic design, areas that allow him to explore his creativity. He is also proud to have been recognized as an honor student. He looks forward to contributing to the Wesleyan community and continuing to learn and grow. -
KaiLi Shi
Chinese FLTA
Beijing, China
Read more about KaiLi ShiKaiLi is our Chinese Language Teaching Assistant for the 2023-2024 academic year. Her English name Kelly has a similar pronunciation to her Chinese name 凯丽. She is a graduate student at Beijing Normal University, majoring in teaching Chinese to speakers of other languages. She is interested in intercultural communication and making deep connections with people. Besides, she is always willing to help others in need. During free time, she is a big fan of Zelda and outdoor activities like hiking and camping. Watching talk shows is also a pleasure for her. She hopes to make friends with many people with different cultural backgrounds from all over the world during her year in the United States. -
Macha Petre
French FLTA
Île-de-France, France
Read more about Macha PetreMacha is the one of the French FLTAs this 2023-2024 academic year. She grew up in France, in the Paris region (Île-de-France), then she lived in Paris for 5 years for her university studies. Because she is interested in several areas, she has a degree in French Language and Literature from the Sorbonne-Nouvelle University, but she also has a degree in French law from the Panthéon-Assas University. She has had a genuine interest in teaching for several years and would love to teach French language and culture, so being able to do this while discovering the US through the FLTA program is a golden opportunity for her. Apart from that, she also likes to draw, play video games, pet her cat and meet new people (especially when they make her laugh). Do not hesitate to come and talk to her even if her English is not perfect! -
Thomas Annebicque
French FLTA
Labeuvrière, France
Read more about Thomas AnnebicqueBonjour!
Thomas Annebicque is a French FLTA. He grew up in a village called Labeuvrière (no, it’s not that hard to pronounce), in northern France, and that’s why he has a close relationship with English. Although he has a scientific background (baccalauréat in science, one year of med school), he decided it was time to put his language skills to good use, so he applied for a Bachelor's degree in Arras for the following curriculum: Applied Foreign Languages - English and German. Once he'd graduated (less than two years ago), he joined the University of Paris XII to specialize in a Master's degree in Foreign Language Teaching and Education (Spoiler: He chose English). He’s currently writing a dissertation on motivational psychology and the techniques a teacher can use to foster oral practice in the classroom, and he’s looking forward to comparing the pedagogical differences between our two countries!
A très bientôt!
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Areeba Shabbir
Hindi-Urdu FLTA
Rampur, UP, India
Read more about Areeba ShabbirAreeba Shabbir is a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at the Fries Center for Global Studies, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA. Driven by her unwavering passion for celebrating culture and heritage, she imparts Hindi-Urdu language fostering linguistic diversity. Dr Shabbir has worked with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, India as On-Air Educator for the Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) national TV channel. She has also held positions as Visiting Faculty at Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University in New Delhi, India and as Assistant Professor at GLA University in Mathura, India. Additionally, she convenes REsolv Education and Training Programs (RETP) under the aegis of REsolv Corporation, Massachusetts, USA that aims to help budding leaders develop their communication and soft-skills.
Dr. Shabbir completed her Ph.D. in English Language Teaching (ELT) from the Department of English, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India. Her research focused on the role of technology in language learning and teaching. During her research, she volunteered for Vision Aid Incorporated USA, and developed and taught a language learning course to visually challenged individuals. In addition to contributing research papers to journals of high impact, she also actively participates in debates, group discussions, and theatrical performances.
As Cultural Ambassador of India, she fosters meaningful cultural exchange by leaving a positive mark of the cultural landscape of India in the United States of America. Given her enthusiasm for creating impact, she shares various aspects of Indian culture, including art, literature, and values that foster cross-cultural understanding. Furthermore, Dr. Shabbir emphasizes on building networks with artists and collaborating with educational organizations to launch joint projects to promote cross-cultural exchange.
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Claudia Graniero
Italian FLTA
Foggia, Italy
Read more about Claudia GranieroClaudia Graniero is the Italian FLTA. She was born in Foggia on 11/26/1999, in 2018 she obtained her classical high school diploma at the Bonghi-Rosmini high school in Lucera (FG) with a score of 100/100. On 03/25/2022 she obtained, with a vote of 110 with honors, the three-year degree in classics at the Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna with a thesis in Dante literature and criticism on the Donation of Constantine and the figure of the emperor in the Divine Comedy, under the guidance of Prof. Giuseppe Ledda. She is currently enrolled in the second year of the master's degree course in philology, literature and classical tradition at the University of Bologna, of which she has been the tutor-student since January 2023. In May 2023, she participated as a speaker at the International Dante Congress held in Ravenna. She has worked privately as a teacher of Latin and Greek for Italians and as a teacher of Italian for non-native speakers. Her interests in her free time are mainly board games and role-playing games, especially Dungeons & Dragons. -
Nao Tsujii
Japanese FLTA
Nara, Japan
Read more about Nao TsujiiNao Tsujii is the Japanese FLTA for 2023-2024. She was born and raised in Nara, Japan. She graduated with Bachelor of Arts in foreign languages, Kansai Gaidai University, Osaka, Japan (April 2019-March 2023) She studied English, teaching Japanese for people who speak other languages, and teaching English for Japanese. Her hobby is listening music and playing the guitar. She especially likes J-pop. Her name’s Chinese character is 菜緒. -
Ye Rim Kim
Korean FLTA
Seoul, South Korea
Read more about Ye Rim Kim안녕하세요! Ye Rim is from Seoul, South Korea. She has a Bachelor's degree in English & Counseling psychology, and she is in her final stage of her Master’s degree in English education. She has a working experience at the alternative school in Korea, teaching English to middle and high school students for 3 years, and moved to the office of international affairs as a program manager of Korea University International Summer/Winter Campus. She is looking forward to finishing her thesis, so hopes to have various experiences and insights from courses and activities in Wesleyan. Since she lived in Russia for 5 years, had an exchange program in Hungary, and spent a year in Austin, TX, she always welcomes to meet people from other countries. She spends her free time watching dramas, having some tea- or coffee-time, cooking some Korean foods, and exercising. She loves to travel, picnic, and visit new, cute places as well. 잘 부탁드려요 :-D -
Ana Camargo Díaz
Spanish FLTA
Duitama, Colombia
Read more about Ana Camargo DíazAna Camargo is one of the Spanish FLTAs for the 2023-2024. She is originally from Duitama, Colombia, but she’s been residing in Bogotá for the past decade. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Literary Studies from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Currently, she’s in the final stages of completing her Master's degree in Cultural Studies at Universidad de los Andes, at the same time she’s been working as an Academic Writing instructor in the same school. Throughout her master's program, her focus has been dedicated to exploring the intricate interplay between culture and mental health. Particularly, her research zeroes in on the historical aspects of borderline personality disorder within the context of Colombia. Also, she’s deeply intrigued by innovative modes of expression such as multimodal writing such as the visual essay, which she believes can reshape how we communicate ideas. Beyond academia, she finds joy in activities like swimming and culinary creation. -
Marcos Alcázar Estrella
Spanish FLTA
Jaén, Spain
Read more about Marcos Alcázar EstrellaMarcos is one of the Spanish Foreign Language Teaching Assistants for the 2023-2024 academic year. Originally from Jaén, he holds a double degree in Philosophy and Political Sciences from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. His academic interests focus mainly on philosophy of language and political communication, his thesis revolving one around the Gricean philosophy of humour and the other around Donald Trump's electoral rhetoric during the 2016 campaign. He loves board games, practicing Crossfit, and is always up for any outdoor activity, from hiking to rock climbing. His goal for this year is to be able to get a car and travel all around the US. In the future, he would like either to pursue a PhD in Philosophy or to continue teaching Spanish as a second language, either in the US or anywhere in the world. -
Marina Díaz Cañedo-Argüelles
Spanish FLTA
Gijón, Spain
Read more about Marina Díaz Cañedo-ArgüellesMarina is one of the Spanish Foreign Language Teaching Assistants for the 2023-2024 year. She grew up next to El Musel, the port of Gijón (Asturias), a coastal city located in the north of Spain. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Art History in the Complutense University of Madrid, where she wrote her dissertation titled Visionary embroiderers: On Asylums, Spirits, Art and Pain, a research that delves into the relationships between women, madness, spiritualism, pain, art and embroidery from the end of the 19th century to the end of the 20th century. It is her first time in the US but during the last few years she has lived for short periods of time in other countries such as Bulgaria or Portugal. She has worked in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and in the VIII Contemporary Art Biennale of the Once Foundation about Woman and Disability, but also as a greengrocer in a little fruit store from her hometown that looks like something out of an Pedro Almodóvar movie, which of course, she loves. Marina spends her free time with her friends, in the museums, at the cinema, walking, or just reading at home. She loves cakes, flowers, and little things, because for her, as Aby Warburg said, God is in the details.