Thomas J. Garza, University of Texas at Austin
Workshop description: This workshop will demonstrate how to select, develop, and use authentic content to integrate culturally-rich media into language courses from the very first day of instruction. The focus is on creating autonomous learners who are undaunted by culturally saturated material in target language environments.
Presenter bio: Thomas J. Garza is University Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor of Slavic and Eurasian Studies and the Director of the Texas Language Center at the University of Texas at Austin. His teaching and research focus on areas of applied linguistics and pedagogy in Slavic languages, including the use of media and technology in language study and teaching, the teaching of culture, and the development of intensive methods of language study. He is the author or coauthor of five EFL textbooks, four Russian language texts, and a verbal handbook in Russian, as well as of numerous articles on the teaching of Russian language and culture using video and other media. Much of his research and publication focuses on the place of culture and cultural literacy in attaining Advanced proficiency and beyond.
Sponsors: Language Institute, Russian Flagship, and Doctoral Program in Second Language Acquisition
Contact: Dianna Murphy, (608) 262-1473