Lesley Walker
Teaching
I have been teaching modern foreign languages for many years and joined the university in 1995 as a French co-ordinator. Previously I taught French, Russian, Latin and German in the secondary sector. In my time at the MLTC I have been responsible for the co-ordination of all MLTC undergraduate modules in French, German, Arabic and Latin at all levels. This entails overseeing course content and delivery, assessment and evaluation. In my role as Director of Learning and Teaching I have also ensured that the effective use of new technologies is incorporated into the teaching and learning curriculum alongside the promotion of learner autonomy in Tandem modules and lnquiry Based Learning projects. I have also served as external examiner at the universities of Birmingham, Huddersfield and currently serve at the Open University.
At postgraduate level I have taught the Ethnography and Reflective Practice
and ‘Introduction to Language Teaching’ modules on the MLTC MA programmes. I also supervise MA dissertations. For a number of years I have managed the highly regarded Dopla induction training programme for new foreign language assistants, postgraduate assistants and probationary lecturers in the School of Modern Languages and Linguistics.
My work at the MLTC has enabled me to carry out research on many aspects of teaching and learning. I have regularly given workshops at conferences and by invitation, both at this university and at others and have over the last ten years had a steady output of published articles and chapters. I have also co-edited a book.
Research and Development
Language Teaching Methodology, Tandem Learning and Development of Autonomy, Collaborative Learning, Language Teacher Education, Intercultural Awareness.
Selected Publications:
Lewis T & Walker L, eds., Autonomous Language Learning in Tandem (2003) Sheffield: Academy Electronic Publications. 241 pp.
‘The Role of the Learner Diary in Supporting and Developing Learner Autonomy’ in Autonomous Language Learning in Tandem (Lewis T & Walker L Eds). (2003) Sheffield: Academy Electronic Publications, pp.131-145
‘Collaboration and the Role of Learner Strategies in Promoting Second Language Acquisition in Tandem Learning Partnerships’ in The New Communicators: Teaching Modern Languages in Universities in the 21st Century (Coleman J et al Eds.) CILT 2001, pp.99-115
‘What Makes a Successful Email Tandem Partnership?’ in Technology and the Advanced Language Learner (Lewis TW and Rouxeville A Eds.) CILT 2000, pp.125-148
‘Learning Strategies and Learner Autonomy’ in Life-Long Language Learning (Arthur L and Hurd S Eds.) Open University Press. 2000, pp.83-96
‘Learning from Experience: Initial Training in Six Universities’ with Adam, Atkinson, Butcher, Deepwell, Hall & Tidd in Teaching Languages in Higher Education: Issues in Training and Continuing Professional Development ( Klapper J.) CILT 2001 pp 75-93
‘Do It Yourself: The Preparation of Non-Specialist Language Learners for Residence Abroad’ with Stickler and Lewis. IWLP Conference Cambridge, September 1999. Institution-Wide Language Programmes -Proceedings of the 8th National conference, September 1999: Convergence and Diversification CILT 2000.
Selected Conference Presentations:
- Paper on ‘Learner Journals’ at the Spotlight conference University of Sheffield, May 2004
- Workshop on Tandem Learning: Multilingual City Conference University of Sheffield July 2000
- ‘Aspects of Tandem Learning’, a 90 minute paper with J. Woodin. The New Communicators: Teaching Modern Languages in Universities in the 21st Century, Nottingham July 2000
- ‘L’intégration de l’apprentissage autonome dans le programme d'études universitaires : la méthode d’apprentissage en tandem au Centre d’Enseignement des Langues Modernes (MLTC) à l'Université de Sheffield’ Université de la Sorbonne Nouvelle-Paris 3, April 15-17th 1999
| Telephone |
|---|
| +44 (0)114 22 20638 |
| l.walker@sheffield.ac.uk |