08 Sep Valerie Geer to Head HU’s TESOL Studies

Huntington University’s newly launched  Institute for TESOL Studies has hired Valerie Geer as associate director. TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

“TESOL is a very specific field of study, complete with its own set of approaches and methodologies,” Geer said. “People might mistakenly think that, by virtue of speaking English natively, they can competently teach English to others. This is not the case. Huntington University’s Institute for TESOL Studies is offering a valuable training tool for many types of students and majors who might find themselves interacting with ELLs (English Language Learners).”

In her new position, Geer has designed courses for the TESOL/English as a New Language (ENL) programs and selected textbooks and library holdings related to the TESOL field. Her other tasks will include raising awareness about the institute, networking with organizations and agencies that work with ENL populations, communicating with current and prospective students, and teaching the Foundations of TESOL course.

Prior to joining her role with the institute, Geer taught English as a Foreign Language (EFL) at the Beijing Institute of Technology in Beijing, China. She also has taught English language learners ranging from middle-school students to adults in Washington, Illinois and Indiana. In addition, Geer serves as the curriculum coordinator and lead academic trainer for Huntington University’s three-week teacher-training program in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China.

Geer earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Intercultural Communication from Northwest University in Kirkland, Wash., and her Master of Arts degree in TESOL and Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. She is a member of TESOL Inc. and the Christian English Language Educators Association.

Huntington University’s Institute for TESOL Studies was established in June. The institute’s first program, a 22-credit minor in TESOL for non-education majors, was first offered this fall beginning with the Foundations of TESOL course. This course will be offered again in the spring of 2010. The minor will lead to a TESOL Certificate.