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:
2025-2026 FLTA Cohort
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Razan Medleg
Arabic FLTA
Israel
Read more about Razan MedlegRazan Medleg is joining Wesleyan University this academic year as the Arabic Fulbright FLTA. She was born and raised in Israel within the Arab community, bringing with her a rich cultural background shaped by a unique and divers historical context. Razan holds a bachelor's degree in Social Work, with a strong commitment to community and empowerment, inclusion, and cross-cultural exchange. She aims to promote not only Arabic language proficiency, but also a deeper understanding of Arab culture and identity.
Her professional experience includes working with individuals and families from diverse cultural and social backgrounds, fostering inclusive environments and promoting intercultural dialogue. She has also worked as a mentor and educator with at-risk youth groups, as well as working extensively with individuals with specials needs.
Razan is highly passionate about the Arabic language and culture, she is dedicated to making them accessible and engaging for learners of all backgrounds. She believes that language is not only a means of a communication but also a bridge to deeper understanding and meaningful cross-cultural connection.
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Yingqi Ou
Chinese FLTA
Guangzhou, China
Read more about Yingqi Ou你好（Nǐ hǎo）！Yingqi Ou is the Chinese FLTA for the 2025–2026 academic year. She grew up in Guangzhou and speaks both Cantonese and Mandarin as her native languages. She is pursuing her Master’s degree at Beijing Normal University, majoring in International Chinese Language Education. She has a genuine interest in Chinese teaching and second language acquisition, and hopes to help students improve their language proficiency while focusing on overall language development, including skills and cognition.
She used to be a Chinese tutor at the University of Notre Dame and served as a language partner with students at the University of Southern California. Now, at the College of East Asian Studies (CEAS) at Wesleyan, she is mainly responsible for leading drill and discussion classes in CHIN 103–104 and CHIN 205–206. In addition, she organizes a weekly Chinese Language Table to help learners practice using the language in daily life.
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Thomas Lesueur
French FLTA
Île-de-France, France
Read more about Thomas LesueurI’m Thomas, and I’ve lived all my life in the suburbs of Paris (Île-de-France). I’ve always liked learning languages, which led me to study both English and Chinese during my early college years. I eventually chose to specialise in English, completing a Bachelor’s degree in English Studies at Université Paris-Est Créteil, followed by a Master’s degree in English Didactics at the same university.
During my Bachelor’s, I had the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in Scotland. That experience allowed me to learn about English-speaking cultures and motivated me to apply as an FLTA, as it combined my passion for sharing cultures and my desire to keep developing my teaching skills.
In my free time, I enjoy running, photography, and playing board games, and I’m always happy to spend time with friends over a drink or new activities.
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Jeanne Meyer
French FLTA
Charleville-Mézières, France
Read more about Jeanne MeyerJeanne (she/they) was born in the French countryside, and spent the first eighteen years of her life in Charleville-Mézières. She moved to Paris to pursue her education, and got a bachelor’s degree in English, with a minor in Theater. She is currently doing her masters in English, and writing her thesis on 19th century literature.
During their free time, they enjoy doing anything creative. They play guitar, write songs, enjoy knitting and crochet, and will never skip the occasion to try a new baking recipe.
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Dhara Kanchan
Hindi-Urdu FLTA
Jhansi, India
Read more about Dhara KanchanNamaste!
Dhara Kanchan is the Fulbright FLTA for Hindi at Wesleyan University. She comes from Jhansi, a city in India known for its rich history and cultural heritage. Dhara is passionate about sharing the vibrant tapestry of her homeland’s culture. She is a dedicated scholar, holding a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in English. She plans to pursue a PhD focused on the fascinating intersection of translation studies, cultural studies, philosophy, and folkloristics. Her academic work includes co-translating a classic Hindi short story published as a chapter in Becoming Translators: Theory and Practice of Translation, and she has presented papers at national conferences.
In her role as an FLTA for Hindi, Dhara is committed to creating an immersive and learner-centric classroom. As a cultural ambassador of India, she brings her love for Indian literature, art, and media into her teaching to foster a dynamic and engaging learning environment. She also has experience teaching underprivileged children through the Social Service League at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and has worked with non-profit organizations dedicated to the uplifting of government schools in India. Beyond her academic pursuits, Dhara is a devoted musician with over five years of training in Indian classical ragas on the synthesizer and has recently begun learning the flute. She is also a certified yoga practitioner, and she holds a diploma in the Bhagavad Gita, which enriches her understanding of Indian philosophy.
For Dhara, this opportunity to teach at Wesleyan is a chance to deepen her intellectual horizons and immerse herself in American culture while building meaningful connections with people from diverse backgrounds. She views this experience as a living embodiment of her core principle: Sa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye (knowledge is that which liberates), a journey of transformation for both herself and society.
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Giacomo Marletto
Italian FLTA
Rome, Italy
Read more about Giacomo MarlettoGiacomo Marletto is the Italian FLTA. He is from Rome, but moved to Bologna (northern Italy) to pursue higher education. He graduated in Arabic Linguistics, and is now taking a master’s degree in Teaching Italian as a Second Language. He is very passionate about languages and language teaching. He has taught Italian and Arabic, and is fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Catalan.
Giacomo is also a non-professional dancer. His favorite styles are Contemporary Ballet and Pizzica (a folk dance from southern Italy). He aims to use dance and movement as tools for teaching Italian Language and Culture here at Wesleyan.
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Kohei Konishi
Japanese FLTA
Osaka, Japan
Read more about Kohei KonishiMy name is Kohei Konishi, and I was born and raised in Osaka, Japan. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages from Kansai Gaidai University in March 2024. During my time there, I also completed the English teacher training program. When I first entered university, I planned to become an English teacher. However, during my one-year exchange program at Millersville University in Pennsylvania in 2022, some friends asked me to teach them Japanese. That experience sparked a new dream of becoming a Japanese language teacher. After returning to Japan, I began taking courses in Japanese language teacher training in my senior year.
Although I completed my degree in March 2024, I still had one final project left in the Japanese teacher training program, with the field study scheduled for fall 2024. Since I had several months free between February and August, I decided on a whim to go to Australia on a working holiday.
I love exploring new countries and places, as well as meeting new people. One of my favorite hobbies is fishing—in fact, I even went fishing just five days before coming to the United States. I also enjoy cooking and watching Netflix with friends.
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Sunyoung Lim
Korean FLTA
Seoul, South Korea
Read more about Sun Young Lim안녕하세요! Sun Young is from Seoul, South Korea. She has a Master’s degree in Korean Language & Literature from Korea University, Seoul, where her dissertation focused on contemporary Korean poetry and cultural & political dynamics of the 1980s. She is now pursuing her Ph.D. in the same field and working toward completing her thesis.
During her time at Wesleyan, she looks forward to broadening her perspectives through courses, activities, and meaningful exchanges with others. She always welcomes the opportunity to meet people from different countries and backgrounds, as she truly values learning from diverse experiences.
In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing, especially poetry, which often inspires new ideas for both her research and personal expression. She also loves listening to a wide range of music as well as watching films that explore different cultures and histories. These interests often help her connect literature with other forms of art and society, and they give her joy in everyday life.
She is very excited to be here at Wesleyan and looks forward to connecting with all of you!
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Iñigo Álvarez Calleja
Spanish FLTA
Torrelaguna, Spain
Read more about Iñigo Álvarez CallejaI was born and raised in a small town north of Madrid. I studied Advertisement and Public Relations at Complutense University of Madrid, complemented by a program in Digital Marketing and E-commerce at EAE Business School. I did my Erasmus program in Paris, where I specialized in International Communication and experienced firsthand the challenges and growth that come from starting a new life abroad.
At Wesleyan, I strive to bring this vision into the classroom: Spanish courses are not only about language learning, but also about exploring culture, sports, and everyday life. My goal is to create a dynamic space where students can grow as individuals while discovering how language connects us to the world and to each other.
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Mariana Suarez Chavez
Spanish FLTA
Ibagué, Colombia
Read more about Mariana Suarez ChavezI’m Mariana Suárez, from Colombia. I studied Philosophy and Literature, and I’m completing a minor in Portuguese and Photography. I’m passionate about books, analog photography, and languages. I believe deeply in the importance of education and in the richness that comes from learning languages from around the world. Latin America is a wonderful region with diverse cultures and outstanding literature. While I especially love Caribbean literature, I did write my thesis on U.S. literature, focusing on Kurt Vonnegut’s famous novel Slaughterhouse-Five. This novel, with its unique construction of time, opens the door to ethical and experiential knowledge. In general, I believe in the possibilities of literature as tools, bridges, and experiences through which we learn.
During the summer, I participated in an internship at Cornell University where I reflected on Latinx experiences in the United States as well as on other cultures in diaspora. Since I am interested in traveling the world, I am also drawn to understanding how these cultural movements take shape. I am truly excited about becoming an FLTA, not only for the opportunity to expand my understanding of other cultures but also for the chance to share and construct knowledge together.
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Nora Ambite del Rey
Spanish FLTA
Guadalajara, Spain
Read more about Nora Ambite del ReyNora (she/they) is one of the Spanish Foreign Language Teaching Assistants for the 2025-2026 academic year. They studied English at Complutense University of Madrid, followed by a Master’s in Teacher Training and another in Queer Studies. After teaching English in both private and public institutions, they began working as an FLTA for a public high school in Cambridge, England. What emerged as an unexpected opportunity grew into a passion for teaching Spanish language and culture. This year, they are thrilled to bring this passion into a university academic setting and challenge themselves further.
They are currently pursuing a PhD in queer studies and contemporary history, with their main research focusing on sapphism and sports in early 20th century Spain. Beyond academia, they enjoy nature, playing drums, photography, biking, roller derby and films.