Experience Summary
As an Arabic linguist for the United States Marine Corps I have spent the five years utilizing Modern Standard Arabic and Levantine Arabic while forward deployed and in the US. After a year and a half at the Defense Language Institute I was selected from the top of my class to participate in a study abroad program, AMIDEAST, in Rabat, Morocco. After graduating this course and the Modern Standard Arabic course I obtained my Associate of Arts in Arabic studies. I currently maintain a 3 in Listening, 3 in Reading, and 2 in Speaking on the Inter-Agency Language Round-table scale (used by the Department of Defense). Currently I am leaving the United States Marine Corps to attend school full-time and pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science.
Teaching Style
I prefer to structure the lessons based off the type of learner the student is. I have tutored many linguists and find that some work better with rote memorization, some with flashcard games, some with conversation. I love to challenge my students with transcription and translation of articles and short news cuts as I find this pushes the boundaries of their vocabulary in Arabic and is interactive as the events are current. I have access to many systems for language learners and will find what fits for each student and challenges them to excel in Arabic.
My Hobbies
In addition to learning languages I enjoy playing volleyball and singing. I hope to find time to work with Mercy Corps this summer and translate locally for this Non-Governmental Organization. Additionally I will be conducting research at the Middle East Studies Center at Portland State University.