Claudia Alejandra Sanford Galindo

Instructor of Spanish

Area of Interest: Intercultural Competence Awareness Towards Acquisition in the Foreign Language Classroom. Mix-methods.

Recent Teaching

Awards & Honors: Grands Awarded

Committee Assignments and Service to LSU

Educational Information 

Doctor of Philosophy: Curriculum and Instruction. Focus Areas: Education and design Learning Technologies. New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM 

Master of Arts: Second language Acquisition and linguistics  

New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM (1 year of coursework completed, no degree awarded). 

Master Arts: Second language Acquisition and linguistics College of Charleston, Charleston, SC (1 year of coursework completed, no degree awarded).  

Master of Arts Curriculum development and School Administration University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio      

Bachelor of Business Administration Universidad  Externado de Colombia

Conference - Presentations

Catholic Schools Curricular Conference Virtually Delivering Curriculum Using Online Management Systems-Practicing and Assessing with Technology.  

My Bestie is Latino American a second Language Curriculum created to deliver Language and Culture. Poster Presentation at The College of Charleston. 

Publications

To be published Manuscripts-Book Chapter/In Preparation 2021-2022

In Cooperation with Universidad Externado de Colombia and Astrid Nuñez Pardo “Wrestling Back Decisions to Develop Context-Sensitive EFL and SFL materials a Comparative Study.

Claudia Alejandra Sanford Galindo Teaching Philosophy

My Teaching Philosophy

I am open to new ideas and methods My lesson plans promote active learning and participation through discussions, skits, presentations, games and small group, activities, and virtual traveling activities. Additionally, I’m committed to exposing students to real samples of the language as it’s used by natives, by incorporating into lessons music, articles, advertisements, film clips, etc. that correspond with the subject or grammatical content being learned. Additionally, I have a lot of stories from my varied and often unusual experiences in Latino America and Spain. One of the joys for me of teaching Spanish and Latin-American cultures and language is that this subject is entirely conducive to discussions and activities concerning countless cultural, societal, environmental, political, arts-related topics, etc. My role varies depending on the activities of my students. With forums I set “the stage” for my students to see engaging information about the countries, the people that we are studying. I am a silent facilitator. I want my students to freely interact not only with their own class but with other class sections when possible. I believe that it is important to foster a sense of community in the classroom as well ason campus in general, I make a point of trying to get to know my students on a level beyond their academics. 

My Teaching Objectives

• To teach my students the ability to use their Spanish language and cultural knowledge as needed to perform basic functions at various levels for real life situations.
• I can effectively teach and incorporate technology for instruction, practice and assessment.
• To make a positive impact on the life of my students by creating an environment conductive to learning, retention and application of the Spanish language.

My Pedagogy of Teaching

Anything that I do must enable my students to learn. My teaching practices should empower students to take ownership of their education and help them realize that they are responsible for their learning outcomes. Professional development is fundamental preparing us teachers for the real world. Teachers who prosper and flourish are working in different types of surroundings. According to Ball and Forzani (2010), There is no specific way to prepare teachers to do their work most professionally and efficiently. However, at my educational institution, I have the opportunity to cooperate and learn to improve my practice continually. I often attend seminars and workshops, and currently, I am a participant for a course enhancement grant instead of focusing on test scores. In the 21st century, new literacy has emerged. It is the ability to use appropriate technological tools in an Information society. Unfortunately, many of our students are not as technically savvy as we think. Student training is also essential.

Encouraging Contact 

I believe in the importance of helping contact by inviting students to visit outside of class during office hours or by using Zoom. It is important to know my students by name and always personalize feedback on student assignments, advise students regarding Academic courses and career opportunities with Foreign language as well to seek out students whom I feel are having a problem with the course or are frequently absent. I encourage students to present their views and participate in class discussions. When appropriate I like to share personal experiences and values and emphasize the importance of my cultural and racial identity as a Colombian American because according to Haberman (Teachers also have a clear recognition of their own cultural, political and ethnic identities).

It is fundamental to use the students' talents and strengths, because it creates a perfect environment for critical thinking and critical thinking is fundamental when learning about other cultures and the importance of cultural understanding as a way to attain  Intercultural Competence.