Learning Support Specialist
Email: maria.frank@fulbright.edu.vn
Education: MA in TESL, 2015, University of Illinois
Bio:
Maria Shendrick Frank has been with Learning Support at Fulbright University Vietnam since February, 2023. She came to Fulbright with a decade of teaching experience. Maria received her Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Illinois in 2015. Her teaching experience since then has included teaching ESL at high schools, community colleges, an adult education center, and now FUV. She has taught all four skills, including academic reading and writing and conversational English in the Unites States, China, and Vietnam.
Maria is deeply passionate about providing equitable education and support for students from diverse backgrounds. Before coming to Vietnam, she served as ESL program coordinator and instructor at an adult education center in Illinois, which provided free ESL courses to underprivileged families and refugees. This work involved student-centered teaching of academic skills and everyday communication in English, along with support in dealing with cultural barriers.
During her time at Fulbright, Maria has been working to make meaningful connections with students and empower them with the tools they need to be active learners. Academically, Maria is especially interested in helping students connect with difficult readings. Maria has taught academic reading and reading strategies throughout her teaching career. She enjoys helping Fulbright students become curious and critical readers of academic texts, as well as to find connections to their own lives and interests. Maria is also passionate about helping Fulbright students improve their English speaking skills. She has been regularly coaching students in improving and gaining confidence in their classroom discussion skills, so that they are able to express their opinions and engage in meaningful dialogue with their peers. Maria hopes to continue to support student with these and other academic skills at Fulbright, as well as to help grow the Learning Support program.
Maria’s hobbies include reading, swimming, hiking, swing dancing, and playing board games. She is always up for a game of Catan or Azul over tea and snacks.
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