Barb's Languages

With Spanish as a first language and fully bilingual in English, I have taught both languages since 2011 to all ages and proficiency levels. Before teaching, I enjoyed working on graphic design and creating different objects, now, I mix both of my passions to create teaching materials! I hope you find them useful and see great results in your students' progress.

Lessons and materials are based on curricular aims and specific tasks. Aims come from Common Core Standards (the 5Cs + Critical thinking) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. My focus is on language comprehension and production, and the acquisition of culturally relevant knowledge to develop critical thinking skills related to social justice issues. I always include my students' likes and preferences in designing the activities and topics of the units. That keeps them engaged and holds them accountable for their work. I love active learning and teaching through crossed-curriculum content lessons (CLIL). I always try to include lessons applicable to daily life for students to solve local issues with global solutions.

- Highest GPA of cohort upon BA graduation (2011) - President of ALAS (Association of Latin American Students), 2012-2013 at Oregon State University

BA in Modern Languages Teaching - Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, 2011 CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) - University of Cambridge, 2011. MA in Contemporary Hispanic Studies - Oregon State University, 2014. After that and throughout my teaching career I have kept on learning from all my colleagues, but also from my students. Now, I hope to share what I know with other colleagues.

Born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, I see my self as a world citizen. Responsible, spontaneous, patient and engaged professional. I love designing materials for teaching and learning purposes, both printed and on digital learning environments (blended learning). Whenever possible I serve as a volunteer to work with different communities, which has had a profound influence on the way I encourage my students to work towards the development of their own communities.