2026 Interdepartmental Orientation Workshop for New Language Instructors

The in-person interdepartmental orientation workshop aims to give beginning language instructors a basic understanding of the principles and methods of effective language teaching and lesson design. The workshop consists of two parts: Day 1 – a demonstration lesson and a guided discussion led by faculty from sponsoring departments; and Day 2 – “micro-teaching” in mixed-language groups, an opportunity for new instructors to apply in practice the principles and methods covered in the large-group session.

A group of students sitting in a lecture hall

Day 1, Monday, August 24
1:30 – 4:00 pm
Van Hise Hall 1418

Day 2, Tuesday, August 25
9:00 – 11:00 am
Education Building, L150, L151, L155, L159, L173, L177, L185

This is not a public event.
Advance registration by a language department is required.

Sponsoring Departments

This interdepartmental orientation workshop is made possible thanks to the participation of many faculty, staff, and experienced TAs from the departments of:

Orientation Workshop Presenters

Fatemeh Mirsharifi – Asian Languages and Cultures
Jeanne Schueller – German, Nordic, and Slavic+
Jana Martin – Language Institute

Faculty/Instructor Facilitators

Adeola Agoke – African Cultural Studies
Hong Dinh – Asian Languages and Culture
Takako Nakakubo – Asian Languages and Cultures
Alexandra Walter – German, Nordic, and Slavic+

Experienced TA Facilitators

Alyssa Bryl – German, Nordic, and Slavic+
Abdul Nasir Habib – Spanish
Anthony Ippolito – Spanish
Yang Liu – Asian Languages and Cultures
Toyin Olanipekun – African Cultural Studies
Finn Shepherd – German, Nordic, and Slavic+

Orientation Workshop Planning Committee Members

Jeanne Schueller, German, Nordic, and Slavic+, Co-Chair
Jana Martin – Language Institute, Co-Chair

Adeola Agoke – African Cultural Studies
Heather Willis Allen – French and Italian
Loren Eadie – French and Italian
Fatemeh Mirsharifi – Asian Languages and Cultures
Takako Nakakubo – Asian Languages and Cultures
Will Morgan – Spanish & Portuguese
Jeanne Schueller – German, Nordic, and Slavic+
Anna Tumarkin – German, Nordic, and Slavic+
Tianlu Zhang – Asian Languages and Cultures

Funding

Language Institute and International Division.

Fatemeh Mirsharifi, Asian Languages and Cultures, presenting a demonstration lesson.